Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson is a First Round Defensive Tackle

Tyree Wilson has elite brute power.

Recently mocked by Pro Football Focus No. 24 overall in the first-round to Minnesota, I thought I would look at this Texas Tech defensive lineman’s game film.

No question, Wilson makes me feel excitement, but from the interior of the defensive line.

Despite the Red Raiders moving him all around and lining him up in different ways (4-point stance, 3-point stance and standing up), most all of his pocket disruption came from the inside.

The idea of Wilson playing defensive tackle in the NFL excites me

For some reason, Texas Tech is in love with the idea of Wilson being an edge rusher.

The Red Raiders flip flop him from side to side, and in 2022 they have begun to have him standing up on the edge.

Point blank – – Wilson is not showing the speed, short-area burst or pass rush moves it takes to win the edge in a 4-3 (four defensive linemen and three linebackers).

He’s got that alpha Myles Garrett size, long arms and power without having those kind of elite pass-rush characteristics. He’s not even doing it at the college level, how’s he supposed to be able to do it in the NFL?

In the last draft, I said Travon Walker and Jermaine Johnson didn’t have what it takes to win the edge. Through the first five games of the 2022 NFL season, Walker has 1.0 sack and Johnson has 1.5 sacks.

Walker was taken No. 1 overall, and Johnson also went first-round, No. 26.

It takes elite football speed and a full arsenal of pass rush moves to be a dominant pass rusher off the edge in the NFL.

Neither of them showed that on the college film I watched, and Wilson isn’t either.

However, what Wilson is showing is dominant power inside.

Wilson loves to bull rush

He can push the pocket from the interior.

That’s the thing that’s needed in the NFL in today’s pass-happy game. Teams need interior tackles who can collapse the pocket and push guards into the quarterback’s face.

That’s Wilson.

At times, he looks like a man amongst boys, and that is what needs to show at the college level to be considered a first-round talent.

There has to be something that stands out and playing with power is Wilson’s thing.

Good looking run defender

There is such a premium on pass rushers, that stopping the run becomes an afterthought.

The cool thing about Wilson is he is a high-level run defender.

He loves to bang around inside with the big boys and he shows he can come off blocks and make devastating tackles.

#19 Tyree Wilson 6-foot-6, 275 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round (4-3 DT, 3-4 DE) – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 19.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 15, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Mississippi State and Oklahoma (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

2022 game film: NC State

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 37 tackles (25 solo, 12 assists), 1 pass defended, 7.0 sacks (37 pressures pff.com)

Note: Could be the perfect pick for New England in that Trey Flowers hybrid position

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Powerful muscular framed high-effort defender with brute alpha demeanor and power. Tendency to look slow off the snap. While he lacks what it takes to win through the backdoor of the pocket off of the edge, he thrives through inner gaps. An active no frills pass rusher (flashed spin move twice) who uses his hands well and showed he can blow things up as an authoritative bull rusher. Tends to draw double teams. Even when neutralized doesn’t quit. Likes to fight, battle and bang around inside and showed he can come off blocks to make strong form tackles. Able to slice in and make the stop. Strong presence in the run game who will chase it down. Intriguing prospect.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does he get his pressure/sack production from the inside or outside?
2. Does he show pass rush moves?
3. Does he show a short-area burst?
4. Does he look slow off the ball?

Wilson is one to keep an eye on.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.