The Las Vegas Raiders‘ woes in the first round of the draft are a major reason why the team hasn’t won a playoff game in over two decades. There’s an argument that Brock Bowers is the only good first-round decision the team has made since taking left tackle Kolton Miller in 2018.
Ashton Jeanty deserves more time before it can be determined if he was a good choice, but even if he’s really good, using the No. 6 pick on a running back is questionable. In 2023, many wanted the Raiders to select defensive tackle Jalen Carter or cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the No. 7 pick.
Instead, they took defensive end Tyree Wilson. It became apparent almost immediately that the Raiders whiffed badly. Wilson was barely playable as a rookie, and while he has improved, his ceiling looks to be a rotational pass rusher and not a full-time starter. Meanwhile, Carter is an All-Pro for the Eagles, and Gonzalez has looked like an All-Pro when he’s been able to stay healthy for the Patriots.
Raiders general manager John Spytek did not select Wilson, so he has no qualms about cutting ties. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Wilson has been placed on the trade block by the Raiders.
“One interesting name on the trade block that I didn’t mention in my Friday notes is former No. 7 pick pick Tyree Wilson,” Breer wrote. “He’s clearly not what Vegas hoped for in 2023, but there’s still some promise for the 25-year-old as a supersized edge who can bump inside and rush on passing downs.”
Is It Too Soon to Give up on Wilson?
Giving up on Wilson now doesn’t make a lot of sense unless the Raiders can get a decent return. The defensive line depth isn’t very strong, and Wilson is third on the team with 2.0 sacks on the season.
He was always going to be a project coming into the NFL, and he’s only in Year 3. If the Raiders’ defensive line depth were better, then it would make sense to trade Wilson, but it’s difficult to see how moving him helps the team unless they can get a third-round pick for him.
Wilson has proven to have the ability to play on the inside and outside of the defensive line. It’s worth noting that he has more sacks than starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce despite playing far fewer snaps.
DL Will Need to be Addressed in Offseason
The Raiders have to be very disappointed with how the defensive line has played this season. Defensive linemen have combined for just 14.0 sacks for Las Vegas. Even star defensive end Maxx Crosby has only notched 5.0 sacks due to the fact that teams are double and triple teaming him out, and nobody else is making them pay.
The Raiders will likely need to be aggressive in addressing the defensive line this offseason. Crosby has been desperate for a consistent running mate. Christian Wilkins was supposed to be that guy, but he was cut before the season. There was hope that Koonce could step up, but he’s been a major disappointment. The Raiders will have to go back to the drawing board in the offseason.
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