Defensive end talked about his growth this offseason and what he’s trying to prove in 2025
It’s no secret that Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson hasn’t lived up to expectations this far in his career. The 2023 No. 7 overall pick has struggled to make a significant impact over the last two seasons, serving as more of a rotational player with just four starts in 33 games.
The “bust” label is looming over Wilson heading into year three, and he’s faced plenty of criticism so far. But he understands the expectations that come with being a high draft pick and acknowledges that he hasn’t lived up to them yet.
“I wouldn’t say not fair,” the defensive end replied when asked if the expectations placed on him are unfair. “You draft somebody high, 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 got to go out there and show and shut everybody up.”
The development piece is key with Wilson. Even though he was drafted high, he was still a bit of a project who had plenty of physical traits but wasn’t a complete defensive lineman yet. On top of that, a foot injury stunted his growth, limiting his time on the field as a rookie.
But the Texas Tech product has shown growth over the last couple of seasons, highlighted by recording 4.5 sacks in the Raiders’ final 10 games of 2024. That’s something he’s looking to build off moving forward.
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Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
“Last year, I started to grow, started to feel the game starting to slow down a little bit,” Wilson said after the Raiders’ final mandatory minicamp practice on June 12. “But the twitch and the reaction, it wasn’t there all the way. It started to develop after the bye. Now I’m just coming in, and it started in OTAs and transitions to camp and then into the season.”
On a similar note, when the three-year pro was asked about what specifically he’s been trying to improve this offseason, movement skills were a clear priority for him.
“Core, feet work and just having a lower center of gravity. I missed a lot of plays, sacks, tackles, and I’m always falling on the ground. So that was a big focus in the offseason,” Wilson said.
“…Being consistent running to the ball,” he added. “I’m trying to get my cardio up to be able to be on the field longer, to be around the ball, to make more plays, but then just being versatile. Last year you saw me outside, inside, and just really try to make my game more efficient inside. Working more edge moves, counter moves, and not just be a power guy, which I always had in my bag.”
All that talk is great, but it’s a matter of proving it on the field. Year three is often viewed as a “make-or-break” season for young players in the NFL, and that’s the reality the 2023 top selection is facing and embracing in the fall.
“Man, this is the biggest year,” Wilson said before the team broke for summer. “I feel like it’s no pressure, it’s just I feel like I got my feet under me. My teammates are counting on me and the team’s counting on me. So, yeah, this is a big year.”
