Tyree Wilson (EDGE – Texas Tech) vs TCU
Tyree Wilson is next in the line of freaky size, strength, and length edge rushers. This is notably a draft that is full of this player type with others (Myles Murphy and Andre Carter) having their own share of 1st round buzz. This week we get to see Wilson against one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the country.
TCU’s offense will run up-tempo and pass-heavy. For a 275-pound edge rusher, there is the difficulty here of being unable to sub at will against a team that is asking you to rush the passer potentially 50+ times in a game. Although college teams generally have subs at every position on defense to bring that number down, this game asks Texas Tech’s biggest contributors to do more.
It’s an extraordinarily difficult challenge for any pass rusher on a worse team to really impact this type of game if his team gets down early. The quick spread zone rushing attack accompanied by bubble screens could limit Wilson. This is why I’d say in this particular matchup it’s all upside for Wilson’s stock. If he pressures QB Max Duggan into perhaps throwing an errant pass or two, it’ll only solidify what has been an excellent campaign thus far from the Texas Tech product.
Calijah Kancey (DL – Pittsburgh) vs Syracuse
Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has garnered some attention from pro scouts due to his undersized hybrid nature and his consistent production. He has the first-step quickness and explosion out of stance that normally translates at the NFL level. He’s a natural 3-tech but gives versatility to move up and down the line of scrimmage against a number of different looks.
One question about his game is whether it can translate to the NFL’s size and speed quota. Last year Kancey did a good job against a Clemson team loaded with NFL athletes, but here’s another chance for proof. Syracuse runs a number of different looks from the offensive line to their rushing playbook. It’s an efficient attack that has often acted as a type of test for me in this article space every week. To have the patience to win against the run but also the quick upfield explosion and game recognition to take advantage when they do pass is an excellent tell for an NFL prospect’s abilities. We’ll see how Kancey fairs.
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