One of the top prospects that have been buzzing for some time now is [autotag]Texas Tech Red Raiders[/autotag] edge rusher, Tyree Wilson. The 6-foot-6 defender really started to gain some traction this offseason.
In three seasons in Lubbock, Wilson has accumulated 69 tackles, 29.0 TFLs, and 15.5 sacks. A lot of his production came in 2022, appearing in 10 games for the Red Raiders before an injury ended his senior season.
But how high can he climb? In the past two decades, Texas Tech has seen two players drafted in the top 10. Michael Crabtree was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2009 draft with the 10th overall pick. Patrick Mahomes was also drafted at No. 10 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2017 draft. Could Wilson be the highest-selected Red Raider since Donny Anderson was drafted No. 7 overall in the 1965 NFL draft?
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY Sports broke down 10 scenarios that could create chaos in round one of the draft. One certain scenario revolves around the aforementioned pass rusher.
Tyree Wilson is taken ahead of Will Anderson at No. 2
A week ago, this entry might have been centered on the Houston Texans bypassing a quarterback. Now, that once-farfetched scenario appears to be the prevailing wisdom for the No. 2 pick.
This might not prompt the chain reaction that some of the other moves on this list would. But if the Texans do opt to go the defensive route with the first of their two picks in the top 12, it would still be startling to see them take Wilson, the Texas Tech product, ahead of Anderson, Alabama’s first-ever two-time unanimous All-American and a prolific pass rusher considered by many to be the premier defender in the class. Of course, the 6-6, 271-pound Wilson offers a different kind of physical presence at defensive end, one who might be more fit for setting the edge and pushing the pocket than his 6-3, 254-pound counterpart. But there are substantial questions about whether he can achieve the same level of pass-rush prowess that Anderson has, as Wilson had fewer sacks in four years (17) than the former Crimson Tide standout did in 2021 alone (17 ½).
That would certainly shake things up at the top of the draft if the Texans bypass the quarterback position. Unless they want to go all out on getting the No. 1 spot next year by sticking with Davis Mills and targeting Caleb Williams next season. Playing chess not checkers in Houston.
One other scenario that Middlehurst-Schwartz mentions would be the selection of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker on day one. He is recovering from a torn ACL but he certainly has the talent to warrant the selection. Unlike a certain quarterback in Lexington.