A report this week said that Tyree Wilson isn’t having a great training camp, but it doesn’t sound like the coaching staff is in panic mode just yet.
In fact, according to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, the Raiders are pleased with where Wilson is at in his second year with the team.
“Tyree is a second-string guy, but it’s not second string like ‘he’s not going to play.’ He’s going to get a lot [of playing time]. They want to run their defensive line like a hockey team… so they’re constantly switching up the lines,” Carpenter said this week on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast.
“He’s going to play a ton. No one should be down [on him]. Remember I told you, last year was really looked at like a redshirt year by the Raiders. He’s healthy now so really look at this [year] like a rookie year. He’s going to get reps at defensive end and defensive tackle… he’s going to play a lot. [They are] very pleased with where Tyree is.”
Ultimately, there can be truth to both reports on Wilson.
The current head coach and GM didn’t draft Wilson, so they aren’t going to feel added pressure if he doesn’t live up to his draft position.
The coaching staff might be “pleased” with Wilson in his role, but from the outside it’s hard to get excited about a seventh-overall pick that projects to be a rotational player in his second season.
Then again, it’s still early. Let’s see how Wilson looks in another few weeks. Storylines in the NFL can change quickly.