Tyree Wilson‘s final Texas Tech season ended early; a foot injury closed the book on the talented edge defender’s college career. That has not stopped him from becoming one of the top prospects available.
Most teams who are holding top-10 picks will look into Wilson. The Texans and Bears started this process this week, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reporting the 6-foot-6 D-lineman met with both teams. Tyree Wilson’s pre-draft tour will be extensive. He will visit nearly every team in the top 10, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Wilson grades as the second-best edge player in this class — behind only Will Anderson Jr. — and neither ESPN’s Scouts Inc. nor NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks the former Big 12 pass rusher too far behind the SEC star. Wilson sits as Jeremiah’s No. 4 overall player and slots fifth in ESPN’s view. He finished with seven sacks in each of the past two seasons, compiling the seven in 2022 despite playing only 10 games.
It makes sense Wilson is a popular name on the pre-draft interview circuit. Medical intel serves as one of the central purposes for “30” visits, and it is interesting that Wilson has surged near the top of the prospect board after suffering an injury that required surgery. Wilson underwent a foot procedure in November, but Aaron Wilson adds the coveted prospect has been medically cleared. He should not have an issue being ready for minicamp or training camp. Wilson only performed bench press reps at the Combine and did not participate
The Texans eschewing a long-rumored quarterback pick for an edge rusher has entered the equation at No. 2 overall, and while Anderson is rumored to be the prospect Houston would consider if it took that unexpected route, Wilson has obviously generated considerable buzz during the pre-draft process. The defensive line led the way for DeMeco Ryans‘ 49ers defenses; San Francisco used a No. 2 overall pick — Nick Bosa — to reshape that unit in 2019. The Texans also have another first-round pick this year (No. 12) and two next year, in the event Ryans and GM Nick Caserio view one of this class’ pass rushers as too good to ignore. Having lost Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Rasheem Green in free agency, the Texans are certainly need on the edge.
The Bears, who hold the No. 9 pick after their blockbuster Panthers trade, have made multiple signings up front, but neither Green nor DeMarcus Walker profile as players who would prevent the team from making a major investment at the position in the draft. Chicago, which dealt Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn last year, finished last in sacks (20) last season and is eyeing pass-rushing help in the draft. The Bears have already brought Jalen Carter in for a visit.
I would much rather have him than Anderson if it comes to that. He’s much bigger than Anderson and will probably last longer in a 4-3 than Anderson would. Anderson is much more likely to thrive in a 3-4 than in Eberflus’ defense. I’d be cool with either Wison or Parris Johnson at 9 and maybe more so with Wilson as there seem to be a lot of OT’s the Bears are interested in that could be available later.
I would be happy with any number of players at 9 (Wilson, Johnson, Skoronski, Jones, even Witherspoon or JBN), that is why a trade back a few picks makes sense unless Poles has one of those graded that much higher. An added pick in the top 50 could go a long way in helping the roster. Even a further trade back targeting Wright for added picks could be a smart play. Lots of options which should make it very interesting.