After an up-and-down rookie campaign that saw him start slow but finish strong, the Las Vegas Raiders are hoping 2023 first-round pick and edge rusher Tyree Wilson can take a step forward in 2024.
By all accounts, Wilson has had an up-and-down offseason thus far, with the second-year edge rusher getting both positive and negative reviews.
As things stand now, Wilson figures to serve in a top depth role behind starting edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, but what he does in that role remains to be seen.
One NFL analyst, Bleacher Report's Ryan Fowler, believes the Raiders should think about trading Wilson in an article naming one trade candidate for each team.
Despite Wilson's size, length and potential coiled up in his 6'6" frame, his rookie season was plagued by injuries and inconsistent performance, raising concerns about his durability and ability to live up to his draft status. The Raiders, a team historically that has issues in building and sustaining a winning culture, may not have the luxury of waiting for Wilson to progress.
Despite his struggles and current spot on the depth chart, teams may still see Wilson as a raw but promising edge-rusher with upside worth taking a chance on. Trading him now could allow the Raiders to acquire proven talent or additional draft capital, which could be used to address other pressing needs, such as offensive line depth or secondary help.
Given the competitive nature of the AFC West, the Raiders could benefit more from immediate-impact players rather than waiting on Wilson's unpredictable developmental arc.
While Wilson has no doubt been a disappointment thus far, there are multiple reasons why trading him doesn't make sense.
For starters, the Raiders need depth behind their starting duo on the edge. Trading Wilson would leave them incredibly thin in that department. Adding to that, Koonce is set to be a free agent in 2025.
It's still far too early to be giving up on the former No. 7 overall pick. The Raiders simply have to stick with Wilson and see what he can do with a full offseason, something he didn't have in 2023.
Lastly, Wilson's value is currently in a bad spot after a lackluster rookie campaign. Granted, his value may only get worse from here, but the Raiders would be trading him for pennies on the dollar if they decided to move him now.
