The Las Vegas Raiders could be making a major shift along their defensive line, and it involves their 2023 seventh-overall pick, Tyree Wilson. According to Bleacher Report, the team could move Wilson from defensive end to defensive tackle in a bold move that would shake up the defensive line rotation heading into the 2025 NFL season.
Raiders May Shift Tyree Wilson Inside Amid Christian Wilkins’ Uncertain Status
This prediction isn’t just a hypothetical experiment. It’s grounded in the current uncertainty surrounding the health of star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. After suffering a Jones fracture last October, Wilkins has yet to return to full participation.
While the Raiders remain hopeful he’ll be ready by training camp, head coach Pete Carroll offered a concerning update during OTAs.
“He’s not ready to get back out,” Carroll told reporters. “We’re in the midst of a long, challenging process. Fortunately, there’s a lot of time, and we’re going to take every bit of it.”
With no guarantee that Wilkins will be ready by Week 1, and knowing the severity of foot injuries for defensive linemen, the Raiders may have no choice but to get creative. One in-house option gaining momentum is moving Wilson inside, where his size and versatility could help fill the void.
Wilson’s Fit at Defensive Tackle Could Unlock His Potential
GettyA move to defensive tackle could help transform Tyree Wilson’s career for the better.
At 6’6″ and 275 pounds with 35 5/8-inch arms, Wilson has a rare frame that lends itself to multiple positions along the defensive line. He has already flashed some interior reps over the past two seasons and shown enough promise to warrant further exploration inside.
The numbers tell part of the story. In 33 career games, Wilson has registered 56 tackles, including eight for loss, eight sacks, and 28 pressures. These are solid stats for a player still finding his footing in the NFL. But given his first-round pedigree, the Raiders are hoping for a bigger impact from Wilson, and a move inside could be another golden opportunity to prove his worth.
And for Wilson, he understands the pressure is on to up his game this season.
“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.”
Well, if playing outside had its challenges for Wilson, then the move to defensive tackle could be what unlocks his full potential. If he can add 10-15 pounds of muscle, he could become a matchup nightmare for interior offensive linemen. Wilson’s length and power, along with his pass rush repertoire, should give him every opportunity to succeed, especially if he’s next to Maxx Crosby.
If Wilkins returns fully healthy, Wilson’s versatility gives the team another option to rotate players and stay fresh. But if Wilkins is delayed, or not quite himself to start the season, the Raiders may just be forced to test Bleacher Report’s bold prediction. And if it works, it could be the spark Wilson needs to make the leap from a potential bust to breakout star.
