Seahawks Draft Profile: Where Does Tyree Wilson Fit in Seattle's Scheme?
With the 2023 NFL Draft set to kick off in Kansas City on Thursday, April 27, the Seahawks will have a chance to take another big step forward following a surprise playoff berth with four picks in the first 52 selections, including a top-five pick for the first time since 2009.
Over the next month leading up to draft weekend, the AllSeahawks writing staff will dish out in-depth profiles on numerous prospects who could be targets on Seattle's big board as the franchise aims to open a window for Super Bowl contention.
Up next in the series, the Seahawks already have a talented trio of edge defenders in Uchenna Nwosu, Darrell Taylor, and Boye Mafe with other intriguing young options behind them. Would the franchise consider adding at the position at No. 5 overall with a player of differing skills in Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson?
Background
Following a stellar prep career at West Rusk High School, Wilson initially enrolled at Texas A&M and after redshirting his freshman season, he saw action in 12 games in 2019 as a reserve. Staying in state, he transferred to Texas Tech before his redshirt sophomore season, starting five out of 11 games and finishing with 1.5 sacks. He broke out in his second year in Lubbock, earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors with seven sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss for the Red Raiders.
Finishing his outstanding college career on a strong note, he registered seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss in only 10 games before going down with a season-ending foot injury in 2022. He garnered Second-Team All-American honors and First-Team All-Big 12 honors despite the injury, which has prevented him from participating in the NFL combine or the school's pro day this spring.
Strengths
Possessing rare length for an EDGE defender with 35 5/8-inch arms, Wilson uses his extension capabilities to his advantage as a smooth operating power rusher capable of driving tackles off the ball. Excelling at collapsing the pocket outside in with bull rushes and devastating long arm moves, he regularly finds his way to the quarterback deploying quick swipe/arm over counters off of his initial rush with great effectiveness.
Playing with sound technique and a strong base, Wilson sets a firm edge against the run as long as he maintains leverage and doesn't play too upright. He rarely gets pushed off the line of scrimmage and when teams try to run away from him, he chases down run plays in backside pursuit with master precision, often gobbling up tackles like a vacuum with his wide reach allowing him to make plays most other defenders can't.
After exclusively playing in the trenches during his first three collegiate seasons, Wilson performed well in limited snaps dropping into coverage for the Red Raiders in 2022, displaying the fluidity in space teams seek from dual-threat outside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme. While he allowed three receptions on four targets per Pro Football Focus, he blew up a pair of screens and handled basic zone drop responsibilities well.
Adding to his versatility, Wilson logged 120 snaps as a 3/4i-tech defensive tackle in pass rushing situations over the past three seasons. With a bit more mass added to his frame, he could potentially play more snaps reduced inside in the NFL while also having the flexibility to line up over the tackle or stand up in wide-9 alignment and produce at each spot.
Weaknesses
While Wilson has adequate burst for a 270-pound EDGE defender, he won't be classified as a speedster working from either standing up or three-point stance with his hand in the dirt. Lacking elite acceleration and an extra gear, he doesn't consistently beat tackles as an upfield rusher and when he does, he struggles to dip around corner and flatten out his path toward the quarterback, leaving potential hits and sacks on the field.
Away from some athletic limitations compared to twitchier EDGE prospects, Wilson exhibits a lack of polish in regard to pass rushing plan. When his bull rush and other power tactics stall at the top of his rush, he doesn't have enough quality counters in his tool box to disengage consistently. Development with hand placement and usage will be a must in the NFL, particularly without elite get off from line of scrimmage to compensate.
In the run game, Wilson offers the physicality and demeanor necessary to hold up at the point of attack and shed blocks to make plays. However, he remains a work in progress in the mental aspect of the game, including processing issues apparent against the run. Opponents often found success putting him in conflict against misdirection and read options, as he often had a delayed reaction that opened the door for chunk plays.
Fit in Seattle
While rough around the edges in some regards - literally and figuratively - Wilson stands out as a high-ceiling pass rusher with immense untapped potential and a unique blend of size and athleticism. It may take time for him to become a full-time starter, but he should be an instant contributor and his learning curve will be accelerated if he lands with the right team and coaching staff.
From the Seahawks standpoint, Wilson's enticing length and size projects well for him to mesh with their hybrid 3-4 defense. On early downs, he could rotate with Nwosu, Taylor, and Mafe as a standup outside linebacker capable of rushing the passer or dropping back into coverage if called upon. On clear passing downs, he could get his hand in the dirt and slide inside, with the potential to play a Michael Bennett style with a bit more muscle on his frame.
Does that skill set warrant a top-five pick? While Seattle may have bigger needs on the roster in the present, there's no such thing as having too many good pass rushers and Wilson could also inject some life in the team's 31st-ranked run defense right away, making him a viable candidate for the selection, especially if the team trades down a few spots.
Previous Seahawks Draft Profiles
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