4 non-QB prospects the Carolina Panthers could draft at No. 9 overall
By Ricky Raines
Carolina Panthers could draft Tyree Wilson
- Defensive End | Texas Tech Red Raiders
Tyree Wilson is a mountain of a man, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 275 pounds with absurd length, almost reminiscent of a Klitschko brother. Coincidentally, the Carolina Panthers have a huge hole on the opposite side of Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns.
Wilson has the size to put his hand in the dirt as a 3-4 base defensive end in new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s scheme. He also possesses the versatility to stand and set up further outside the offensive tackle to really put his insane skillset to use.
Still a few months away from turning 23 years old, one of the scariest appeals to selecting Wilson is the fact that he’s still developing. The former Texas Tech standout upped his sack total from six in 2021 to eight this season, despite registering almost 70 fewer defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He also increased the number of quarterback hits and hurries recorded in 2022.
Perhaps a bit of recency bias, but it’s hard not to be reminded of the No. 1 overall pick last year, Travon Walker. The Georgia product had almost the same physical stature and the versatility to play inside and out along the defensive front, which was enough for the Jacksonville Jaguars to take the plunge.
The Panthers could certainly do worse than walk away from the draft with a player like Wilson.