Raiders’ Wilson starting to turn corner after 2 disappointing seasons
Athletes often play much faster once they can get the game to slow down for them.
The Raiders are seeing that on a daily basis with defensive end Tyree Wilson in training camp. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 draft, who has disappointed his first two NFL seasons, is showing signs he may be turning the corner.
The former Texas Tech standout continued his strong showing in camp and the preseason with a handful of splash plays in Wednesday’s practice, including a pair of sacks.
“He’s been doing a solid job,” coach Pete Carroll said.
It’s been more than just the sacks, quarterback pressures and run stops for Wilson. He’s been decisive in getting off the line of scrimmage whether he’s been lined up on the inside or the outside.
That was a huge issue for him his first two seasons. He took too long to get out of his stance and would miss his chance to impact the play.
Wilson, despite some fleeting bursts of production, always appeared to be overthinking things. That no longer seems to be a problem.
“I mean, y’all watch the tape, just like I do,” said Wilson, who has eight sacks and 56 tackles in 33 games. “I feel like I’m playing faster, way more fluid than I have been before. And it’s going to continue to get better.”
His teammates are noticing a difference.
“We see it day in and day out in practice,” linebacker Elandon Roberts said. “(Wilson is) just playing with game speed.”
Not overthinking things
Wilson said one reason for his improved burst is he’s more comfortable with his role. He understands his responsibilities and reads, whether he’s lined up on the edge or inside over a guard.
That’s allowed him to play with more freedom.
“Don’t think, just go and react to whatever shows up in front of you,” Wilson said.
Knowing his assignments has helped Wilson focus more on the details of playing his position. He’s always had physical gifts. Now he’s honing his footwork, vision and hand placement to take his game to the next level.
“It’s more just working on craft now,” Wilson said. “Getting the right technique.”
Wilson, listed at 6-foot-5, 263 pounds, often relied on brute force and speed to beat opposing blockers his first two NFL seasons. It worked in the Big 12, but it’s hard to do that consistently against other professional athletes.
Wilson is starting to show in camp he can win in different ways. He could turn into a huge problem for opposing offenses if he can carry that over to the regular season.
“That guy is really long,” Roberts said. “So his extension and just being able to get off blocks and affect, not just in the pass game, but the run game, you really see it.”
In a position to succeed
Wilson was drafted as a defensive end and will spell Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce at different times this season.
He also cross-trained at defensive tackle his first two years in the NFL. The Raiders are comfortable throwing him in at either position, depending on their personnel grouping or the game situation.
“We’ve called on him in a number of ways to keep going, keep pushing,” Carroll said. “We’re really trying to make sure that we put him in the right spots that take advantage of his skills and his comfort and so that he can play at his best.”
Wilson said he wants to “be a problem inside or outside,” so he isn’t particularly worried about where he lines up this year. But he did point out lining up inside provides a quicker path to the quarterback.
“You go through the guard, the quarterback’s gonna be standing right there,” he said.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.
