Silver And Black Pride
The 2023 first-round pick had an encouraging performance against Kansas City
With the Las Vegas Raiders sitting at 2-6 after the Week 8 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the focus for the rest of the Raiders’ season is on the young players on the roster. Las Vegas is building for the future and the defense got an encouraging performance from defensive end Tyree Wilson against Kansas City.
Wilson earned a strong 73.6 grade from Pro Football Focus, his second-highest mark of the campaign. He recorded a couple of pressures as a pass-rusher, including a third-down sack, and posted a 70.5 run-defense grade to go along with two defensive stops on the afternoon.
So, let’s dive into the tape and take a look at the 2023 No. 7 overall pick’s outing.
The Raiders used Wilson more as a 4-technique defensive end (head up on the offensive tackle) this game which, in my opinion, is his best position. That puts him responsible for the B-gap in the run fit. So, when the Chiefs run outside zone to his side of the formation, Wilson can defeat the combo block by attacking the guard.
What makes this rep more impressive is the guard here is Trey Smith, who has been a good player for Kansas City over the last four years and will likely make a lot of money as a free agent this offseason. But Wilson wins at the point of attack and stands up Smith, forcing the running back to cut backside into Divine Deablo and K’Lavon Chaisson for a short gain.
Kansas City is in a different formation in the clip above but this is basically the same play-call and result.
Again, Wilson is lined up head up or slightly inside shade on the offensive tackle and is responsible for the B-gap. Once the ball is snapped, he reads the right tackle’s block and recognizes the tackle is working wide to reach Deablo, the standup outside linebacker.
So, Wilson quickly shifts his eyes inside and takes on Smith’s block. The defensive lineman does a great job of using his strength and length to win at the point of attack, forcing another cutback for the running back, and allowing Maxx Crosby to make the tackle from the backside.
This next rep is technically against the pass but it’s really more of a heady play against the run by Wilson.
The Chiefs are trying to invite him up the field by leaving him unblocked and faking the stretch run to the running back. However, Wilson stays home and recognizes the offense is looking to set up a shovel pass to Travis Kelce while having the offensive line block like they’re running power.
Once the ball is out, he finishes by making a nice tackle to keep Kelce out of the endzone and to just a one-yard gain. That’s a smart/instinctual play from the 2023 first-round pick.
Moving onto a few pass-rush clips, the defensive end had a handful of nice reps as...
