Texas Tech Red Raiders edge rusher Tyree Wilson is one of the top defensive prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class. You won’t find another defensive end as lengthy as Wilson, who boasts a ridiculously long 7-foot-2 wingspan.
But it’s not just his size that makes Wilson a tantalizing prospect. He’s also a versatile player who can play on the defensive interior or along the edge while playing both the run and the pass equally well.
In turn, Wilson is regarded as a surefire first-round pick and possibly even be one of the first names commissioner Roger Goodell calls at the draft podium on April 27. Unlike some of the other top prospects in this year’s draft class, Wilson didn’t go to one of the most popular football programs in the nation, yet he’s still highly regarded.
So what makes the 22-year-old defensive prospect such a highly-sought after player? We’ll examine just what gives Wilson the edge over his fellow draft classmates while forecasting his potential NFL landing spots in the first round.
Tyree Wilson measurables
- Tyree Wilson. height: 6-foot-6
- Tyree Wilson weight: 271 pounds
- Tyree Wilson 40 time: N/A
- Tyree Wilson arm length: 35 5/8″
Let’s dive into our Tyree Wilson scouting report and NFL projection.
Tyree Wilson stats and background
Despite his monstrous size, Tyree Wilson wasn’t considered a top recruit coming out of West Rusk high school in New London, Texas. Instead, 247 Sports labeled the linebacker as a three-star recruit. This may have been part of the reason he initially committed to playing for Washington State before later re-committing to Texas A&M instead, where he’d begin his college career.
But Wilson redshirted in his first season with the Aggies before receiving limited playing time, getting into 11 games, and making 12 tackles his second year on campus. This led to Wilson entering the transfer portal and landing at Texas Tech.
Related: 2023 NFL defense rankings
By the end of his first season with the Red Raiders, Wilson earned a starting role, where he made an impact on both rushing and passing downs, earning Defensive MVP of the Liberty Bowl for recording two sacks. Unfortunately, Wilson’s junior season would be cut short ten games in after suffering a season-ending foot injury, yet his impact had already been made.
| Tyree Wilson stats | Tackles | Sacks |
| 2021 | 38 (13.5 TFL) | 7 |
| 2022 | 61 (14 TFL) | 7 |
With very little left to prove at the college level, while also being cognizant of his age potentially being a bigger factor if he were to enter the draft as a 23-year-old after another year on campus, Wilson decided to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. Based on early projections, that turned out to be a very wise decision for the young man.
Statistics courtesy of College Football Reference, ESPN, and Pro Football Focus
Tyree Wilson scouting report
While there are areas Tyree Wilson can improve in, scouts absolutely drool over his NFL frame for now. At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, just imagine the type of impact he can have at the line of scrimmage, whether it’s batting down passes, pushing linemen into the face of QBs, or reaching into the depths to bring down ballcarriers. Wilson’s traits give plenty of reason to be excited about his future prospects, but how good can he be?
Unlike Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., we don’t quite have as much tape or production from Wilson, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be just as much of a difference-maker at the next level. As is, Wilson can already get the job done, but talent evaluators believe there’s another element to Wilson’s game we have yet to see.
While Wilson is large, he’s also athletic and has impressive lateral quickness that allows him to pursue quarterbacks in a flash. If he can refine his hand placement, using his power and long arms to his advantage, Wilson can develop into a game wrecker in the NFL.
Teams evaluating whether Wilson’s skill set will translate or not likely find comfort in the fact that Wilson can play any style they wish, whether it’s asking him to have his hand in the dirt along the interior or standing up blitzing off the edge. He does it all from a rushing standpoint.
Franchises looking for a Day One starter with room to grow along their defensive line should look no further than Wilson, but he won’t be available on draft day for very long.
- Tyree Wilson draft grade: 86/100
- Tyree Wilson draft projection: Top-ten pick
NFL projection for Tyree Wilson
The NFL projection for Tyree Wilson isn’t difficult. He’s going to be an edge rusher at the next level, using his freakishly-long arms to give opponents nightmares. While he can play other spots along the line, his best work likely comes on the edge, where he can use leverage to his advantage creating distance between himself and the offensive tackle.
As far as Wilson’s draft range, it’s difficult to see him slipping out of the top ten picks, and he may not even make it past the Seattle Seahawks at No. 5, as coach Pete Carroll needs to find a premier pass-rusher in this year’s draft.
Yet, Wilson could very well be the pick at No. 3 by the Arizona Cardinals, who are seeking a one-for-one replacement for future Hall of Fame lineman J.J. Watt. Who better to replace J.J. Swatt than with Wilson’s hawk-like wingspan?
Of course, draft day is unpredictable, so it’s possible other teams like Detroit at No. 6, Las Vegas at No. 7, or even Atlanta at No. 8 all have Wilson near the top of their draft boards too. Each could use more of a pass-rush presence, and being that Wilson is also plenty capable against the run, he’d appear to be a fairly safe pick.
While Wilson has all the potential in the world, he’s also a bit raw in the sense that he’s always been much bigger and longer than his opponents. That will slightly change in the NFL. Does he have enough of a pass-rush arsenal to go toe-to-toe with the game’s best tackles? That’s part of the mystery NFL teams are looking to solve, but with a player built like Wilson, he’s worth taking a chance on.
Tyree Wilson’s career could go either way. He could immediately give NFL linemen fits, allowing him to rack up otherworldly sack numbers, or he could run into a wall, trying to do the same moves over and over.
Tyree Wilson has the ceiling of an annual Pro Bowl talent, who could very well make multiple All-Pro teams. For a franchise picking in the top ten who’s in need of a strong defensive presence in their front seven, there aren’t many better options than Wilson.