The Raiders selected Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City on Thursday, adding a top-caliber defender to pair with Maxx Crosby on the edge. Three quarterbacks, a cornerback, an offensive tackle, and top EDGE Will Anderson Jr. all went off the board before the Raiders pick at No. 7 overall.
Wilson, who turns 23 in May, is listed at 6-foot-6, 271 pounds with 35 and 5/8″ arms. He was not able to work out during the pre-draft process, but he possesses strong tape and college production, registering 17 career sacks in four years at both Texas A&M and Texas Tech.
“We weren’t sure whether he was going to be there or not (at No. 7),” general manager Dave Ziegler said after Round 1. “We had our group of players that we liked in that area, but I think the magic number for us when we went in were how many quarterbacks were going to be taken, and who that was going to push down the board. We were very excited when we saw that he was still there and excited to have him.”
Wilson will likely start his Raiders career rotating with EDGEs Crosby and Chandler Jones, but he could quickly take over the starting position from Jones, who signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Raiders last offseason, but can be released following the 2023 season for significant cap savings. Wilson will face the tall task of bolstering the Raiders pass rush, which faces QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert, and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes twice a season each in the AFC West.
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