There were a lot of questions coming into the 2023 NFL Draft about where the Las Vegas Raiders would go with their first-round pick. Defense seemed to be the more likely choice, but rumors about possibly taking a quarterback lingered on until the pick was made. Ultimately GM Dave Ziegler and the Raiders’ brain trust decided to go with pass rusher Tyree Wilson out of Texas Tech.
While Alabama’s Will Anderson was the more accomplished college player, there were some who feel that Wilson has the higher ceiling of all the pass-rushing prospects in this draft class. With his physical traits, motor and versatility, Wilson has the potential to be a game-changer for this franchise.
And those are among the reasons the Raiders decided to make Wilson the pick with their seventh overall selection. Ziegler outlined what the Raiders saw in Wilson, and they’re believing that the sky is the limit for what he can become, via Raiders Twitter:
Sky’s the limit for @tyreewilson77 🌤️
More on the 2023 NFL Draft with GM Dave Ziegler » https://t.co/D2EmfUy22z pic.twitter.com/hnuVfy01pR
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 3, 2023
Wilson has the speed and explosiveness to wreak havoc off the edge, but also the size to slide inside at times as well, which can come in handy for the Raiders who obviously have one of the best ends in the NFL in Maxx Crosby, and another former All-Pro in Chandler Jones. Those three together could put opposing offensive lines in an impossible situation.
Ziegler also mentioned the intangibles when it comes to Wilson. The mindset and the work ethic have to be there and coming in under Crosby and Jones will only force Wilson to work as hard as possible because they won’t allow anything less than 100 percent. There are countless of stories of talented players failing to reach their potential because they didn’t work hard enough, but the Raiders believe that won’t be an issue with Wilson.
As the Raiders look to take a leap back into contention, they know that shoring up the defense was a necessity, hence why six of their nine draft picks came on that side of the ball. But hitting on that top pick is a must, and if the Raiders did that with Wilson, it sets them up to be a serious problem for their division rivals. And in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, getting to the quarterback is of the utmost importance.
