Raiders DE Tyree Wilson understands the criticism he gets, but has a counterargument to it all
As we have said a million times by now, 2025 is going to be a big year for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson. It's year three, and we should see some improvements in his game, not to mention, they will certainly need him this year. No one is expecting Wilson to suddenly become […]
As we have said a million times by now, 2025 is going to be a big year for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson. It's year three, and we should see some improvements in his game, not to mention, they will certainly need him this year.
No one is expecting Wilson to suddenly become an All-Pro player or even a Pro Bowler, but he does need to be a guy that the Raiders can rely on every single snap if they have to. Malcolm Koonce is returning from an ACL injury, so we really don't know what that will look like, and if he isn't himself, or injuries occur, Wilson will be called to play more.
It hasn't been beautiful when you look at the start of Wilson's career. But he has started both his rookie and second seasons with injuries. And, we knew when he was drafted that he was a pretty raw prospect. But it's almost time to start seeing some big leaps.
And believe me, he knows that, too, but he also has a counterargument for the criticism.
"Man, I wouldn't say [it's] not fair," Wilson told reporters when asked if the criticism he gets is unfair. "You draft somebody high, and you expect them to come out and perform right away. But I feel like every player in the NFL is different. People go through different things.
"Some players are more polished in college than others, and some people have to come in and develop. So I feel like everybody has a different timeline, and my timeline is different. I feel like this year is the year that you get to go out there and show and shut everybody up. Not that that matters. What matters is the teammates and whoever's around me."
Wilson finished 2024 with 36 total quarterback pressures, good enough for 75th in the league while also only playing 317 pass rush snaps, which is plenty fewer than some of the guys ahead of him, like Miami Dolphins DL Calais Campbell, who played nearly 50 more pass rush snaps, per NGS, but only had one more pressure.
Wilson finished last season with an 11.6% rush win rate percentage, which isn't too bad, actually. For reference, Crosby finished with a 12.3% win rate, but numbers don't always tell the whole story, as Crosby is often double-teamed and even schemed against. Wilson's game definitely made a jump from year one to year two, but not a jump that you expect a former No. 7 overall pick to make.
2025 is going to be a big year, and if he can make a leap, the Raiders could have an extension ready for him after the season.
