Most conversations surrounding the Chicago Bears’ #1 overall pick concern whether they’ll trade it. Experts believe GM Ryan Poles will have a strong market for the selection with so many QB-needy teams hovering in the top 10. This is eased the usual discussions on which player the Bears may or may not target in the 1st round. It’s basically a foregone conclusion that if they stay at #1 or move down to #2 or #4 that the pick will be Jalen Carter of Georgia or Will Anderson of Alabama. Yet this is the draft. There is always a wild card out there that nobody sees coming. That is why Bears fans should get acquainted with Tyree Wilson.
The defensive end had a solid two-year run at Texas Tech, collecting 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for a loss in 23 games. While his production was solid, most draft evaluators agree he is only scratching the surface of his potential. What makes him so frightening and an obvious target for the Bears is his size. He’s 6’6, 275 lbs, and reportedly boasts arms around 36 inches in length. That is in addition to him being a quality athlete. Remember how head coach Matt Eberflus kept talking about length and athleticism are two huge focal points of the team’s evaluation process?
Wilson checks every box in addition to having some quality tape.
Tyree Wilson fits the Bears’ prototype, and that matters.
They’ve remained consistent in their message about what types of players they covet. Carter was a wrecking ball at times for the Bulldogs. That said, he has questions following him about his conditioning and his odd lack of production. As for Anderson, he is unquestionably a good athlete with a great pass rush pedigree. He dominated the SEC for two years. The problem is his size. He is listed at 243 lbs, which is too light for a 4-3 defensive end. Perhaps he has worked to put on more weight to help ease those concerns.
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Still, there is no denying Tyree Wilson fits the mold of what this Bears regime wants. He’s big, long, athletic, and has the film to back it up. He found success despite being relatively raw in several areas of his game. It isn’t hard to imagine how dominant he could become with some NFL coaching. While taking him at #1 might be a little too risky, all bets are off if Chicago moves down a few spots. If they drop to #4 and the choice is between him and Anderson, don’t be the least bit surprised if Wilson is the pick.
Who is the best player on the board?
That’s who the Bears need to take.
The end. We don’t get this chance often. Make it count
Yes. Trade down, accumulate more picks (aka lotterytickets) and take Tyree. Too many seem to think that Carter and Anderson are guaranteed studs at the next level (they are not) and the only two players in the draft who are worth drafting (they are not).
Sure-thing can’t-miss players at the very top of the draft can and do end up being busts, so the ‘Carter or Anderson only’ mentality is a mistake.
Regardless, I trust Poles and his staff to do the homework and make the best decision.
Tyree would be a good value pickup in the #7 or possibly #9 region and definitely fits the 4-3 DE profile. Ideally, Bears could trade down to #2 then to #4 (or direct to #4), then down to #7 and get him. That would be an awesome start to the 2023 draft.
Miguelito
Feb 24, 2023 8:26 am
this article and thought process is the embodiment of overthinking it..
i would rather take the proven player in anderson than to HOPE Tyree can live up to his ceiling.
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I don’t put down your opinion about the two players, I would just say that neither of them are “proven” in the NFL. Which is where they will both be going a few picks apart from each other in the draft.
Tom Waddle is boring.