Raiders should look at Tyree Wilson to eventually replace Chandler Jones
The Las Vegas Raiders still have a ton of problems to fix before they become playoff contenders, including improving their defense. They have needs at every position on that side of the ball. Of course, their biggest need would either be secondary help or interior defenders. But, that doesn't mean they shouldn't look at the […]
The Las Vegas Raiders still have a ton of problems to fix before they become playoff contenders, including improving their defense. They have needs at every position on that side of the ball.
Of course, their biggest need would either be secondary help or interior defenders. But, that doesn't mean they shouldn't look at the other positions either. Luckily for the Raiders, this draft is deep when it comes to secondary players and interior defenders, and they have 12 picks.
Everyone wants to talk about the Raiders possibly taking a quarterback with their first pick, whether it be with the number seven pick, or by trading up to number three. Instead of doing that, or taking a secondary player, I think they should go with one of the best defensive guys in the entire draft if he is available.
Tyree Wilson, the edge rusher from Texas Tech, could be available at seven and would be the perfect fit for this Raiders team. A lot of people think the Raiders shouldn't go edge with their first pick because the team already has Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, but, they honestly should.
Let's be honest, Crosby played 96% of all defensive snaps last season, and that's 1085 snaps. In other words, he didn't come off of the field very often. They could take a guy that could be a depth piece this year, giving Crosby and Jones a break every now and then, and also have a guy that in a year or two is a star and can replace Chandler Jones.
Let's face it, Jones didn't do nearly what we thought he would based on the year before. In fact, the whole first half of the season he was nearly non-existent. This is a guy who is going into his age 34 season, so, the Raiders could prepare for the inevitable – Jones getting too old and just not good enough.
Tyree Wilson is the perfect guy to do all of that. Here is what Pro Football Focus thinks about him as a prospect:
Wilson is a handful for every lineman who has to block him. The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder will have a length advantage against almost every tackle he faces in the NFL. He has inside-outside versatility and put up 50 pressures this past season. Due to his size, length, and playstyle, Wilson can make it nearly impossible to get into his pads. That’s a good way to consistently make plays along the defensive line. Wilson can play hand up, hand down, outside or inside — that’s the beauty of his unique physical skill set. If Wilson can get his hand placement on point, it’s game over. He fires them a little wildly at the moment, but he doesn’t have far to go.
This is a guy the Raiders should definitely look to start building their defensive future around. And, fans shouldn't even worry about them not taking a cornerback at six and taking Wilson, because there will be plenty of great defensive backs late in this draft, and there aren't too many Tyree Wilsons.
