The Las Vegas Raiders seem to be getting progressively worse as the season continues. One bright spot is that the rookie defensive end, Tyree Wilson, is finally improving. Wilson and the Raiders faced off against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. The bout ended in a loss that could have been decided by a last-minute touchdown. However, an Asante Samuel Jr. interception ended that fantasy.
The defense as a whole played better notching Justin Herbert’s first interception since 2022. Additionally, the Chargers quarterback was limited to his lowest completion percentage (54.16%) since Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season. The defense was led primarily by Maxx Crosby who logged two sacks, eight solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits. A routine day for Crosby.
Thankfully, Tyree Wilson’s day was anything but routine for him.
Tyree Wilson gets some props from Pro Football Focus
Tyree Wilson made headlines the last three weeks with the popular football analytics company, Pro Football Focus. Unfortunately, it was for logging next to zero statistics as well as being awarded poor grades as a first-round draft pick. In Week 4, however, Wilson was credited with two pressures and achieved a run stopping grade of 67.1. The Raiders rookie displayed some power and ability to shed blocks making tackles at the line of scrimmage.
The previous week against the Steelers, Wilson saw a significant decrease in snaps with only 11. Wilson must have either impressed the coaching staff during the week or regained his health in between Week 3 and 4. He logged 29 snaps in Week 4 with an on-field percentage of 45%. On top of that, the seventh-overall pick saw less field time to fellow defensive end, Malcolm Koonce, in Week 3. In Week 4, Koonce played second fiddle to Wilson with an on-field percentage of 35% with 23 total snaps.
The Raiders rookie puts in work against Rashawn Slater
Tyree Wilson’s primary opponent was left tackle Rashawn Slater. PFF listed Slater as their ninth ranked offensive tackle heading into the 2023 NFL season. Wilson was not able to log his first sack of the season against Slater, but he was fairly productive against the top tier tackle.
Maxx Crosby with the swipe/rip. Gets to Herbert & wrestles him down for the sack. Have a pass rush plan! #passrush #raiders pic.twitter.com/4MErupg9Ic
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) October 2, 2023
In this particular play, Maxx Crosby recorded the sack. However, Wilson looked quicker off the ball and added some speed to his pass rush. He attempted to outmuscle Slater, and as he worked on the outside of the tackle, Herbert turned away from Wilson due to the pressure. No. 9 then sent Herbert directly into Crosby’s path, who, as expected, secured the sack.
The rookie made the most of this snap and should see additional action in an enticing matchup on Monday Night Football.
Can we get a sack, Tyree?
The Raiders face off against the Green Bay Packers in Week 5 for their second home game of the season. The Packers placed their Pro Bowl left tackle, David Bakhtiari, on injured reserve prior to Week 4. Green Bay called up sophomore left tackle Rasheed Walker to fill in for Bakhtiari. Walker is less of an opponent than Slater was. Walker has already allowed two sacks in 2023, only seeing action in Week 3 against the Falcons and Week 4 against the Lions.
In Week 4, Packers quarterback Jordan Love was sacked five times, with eight total sacks taken in four games. The Raiders have a real chance to create pressure and put Love under duress. Wilson in particular has a golden opportunity to achieve his first sack in the NFL under the lights at Allegiant Stadium on Monday Night. Raiders fans should be excited to see the rookie take the field in prime time and help lead the Raiders to their second win of the season.
*Top Photo: Getty Images