EDGE – Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

6060-275, 4SR          Henderson, Texas

Games Reviewed: NC State(2022), Texas(2022), Kansas St(2022)

Tyree Wilson (19) EDGE-Texas Tech

Pro: Power

Wilson uses all of his 275 pound frame in his punch, rocking offensive lineman and being able to drive them back into the backfield. Every snap I saw where he was man blocked by a tight end he absolutely bullied them. The power shows up well in both the run and pass games, allowing him to be an every down defender. There are few other prospects in his positional group that are able to generate the power he can with as little effort as he presents.

Con: Flexibility

Being a thicker built defender there are going to be physical limitations in addition to the power Wilson gets from that frame. Where this shows up the most is in his inability to work the upfield rush move. Tyree isn’t able to unlock his hips and ankles to bend up and under offensive tackles to beat them with speed moves. There have been plays where he beats a lineman upfield, but those are few and far between.

Pro: Versatility

Tyree Wilson has the rare blend of size, power and athleticism that allows him to be position fluid. He has the power to play within the interior of the defensive line. The first step explosiveness and length to be a base end in an even front. What is rare for Wilson he is also has the movement skills in the open field capable of being an odd front outside linebacker. Wilson can plug and play into any teams defense and do his asked job well.

Con: Run Defending

The only other area that feels as though he is lacking elite traits in his is run defending consistency. His mix of athletic traits make him a nightmare against blockers. However there have been a handful of plays on tape where misdirection has gotten the better of him. The most consistent one is his failure to slow play the QB/RB mesh. Read pass options are becoming a lot more prevalent in the NFL, and a defender who can play them with patience is much more valued than one that aggressively attacks and whiffs. I don’t believe this is a major problem for Wilson, just something to hammer in when facing specific teams in the lead up game week.

Pro: Explosiveness

When talking of the rarity of Tyree Wilson’s athletic profile the main argument to point to is his rare blend of size and explosiveness. Despite not being the most bendy, Wilson is able to get out of his stance and into blockers with consistent leverage advantage. When rushing the perimeter this allows him to convert his built up speed into power before a tackle has been able to set their feet and pad level, opening up bull rushes and inside counters. When reducing inside Wilson is able to shoot gaps and out right beat slower guards from the jump.

Positional Projection

I predict Wilson will find a home as a 3-4 defensive end at the onset of his career. Depending on the coaching staff that obtains him, he may be asked to add/drop weight if they want him to fully transition to an inside rusher or outside linebacker. I also would not be shocked if he went to the Cardinals and new head coach Jonathan Gannon wanted him to take over the playside defensive end role designated to Brandon Graham back in Philly.

Round Speculation

With his position flexibility, elite power and athletic profile with the developed pass rush kit he has already, I would expect Tyree Wilson to be an easy projection in the top 10. My recent mock saw him going to the Seahawks at 5th overall. I would not be shocked if he went to the Cardinals at 3, or with a good combine jumping Will Anderson Jr a la Travon Walker last year.