Oakland Raiders: Kyrie Wilson Looking to Reach High Ceiling

With above average athleticism production, Oakland Raiders UDFA Kyrie Wilson could play himself into a significant role in 2016.

Heading into the 2016 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders had what many believed to be an obvious need at inside linebacker, but Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie overlooked the talent available to them on Day 3 of the draft (i.e. Tyler Matakevich, Scooby Wright III, Kentrell Brothers) in favor of adding linebacker help from the pool of undrafted free agents. With that being said, McKenzie added former Fresno State inside linebacker Kyrie Wilson.

Wilson, a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, registered 251 combined tackles (144 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions in 38 starts at inside linebacker over a span of three years, per CFBStats.com. Having played at Fresno State in 2012 and 2013, Wilson will join former Bulldog teammate and now Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in Oakland.

In addition to his production, Wilson drew interest from the NFL because of his above-average size and athleticism; he posted 4.57 and a 4.62-second 40-yard dash and leaped nearly 41” in the vertical jump at 6’1”, 228 pounds during his Pro Day, according to NFL.com. If Wilson were able to put up those numbers at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, he would have ranked No. 3 in the 40-yard dash and three-cone drill (6.99) and No. 1 in the vertical jump among all of the linebackers who participated. In addition to his success in the field drills, Wilson registered 23 reps at the bench press.

NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt touched on the fact that Wilson’s workout was a  clear success.

After adding former Kansas star Ben Heeney in the 2015 NFL draft, one could conclude that McKenzie has his sights set on adding athletic, rangy linebackers to the inside. In doing so, the Raiders are steering away from the downhill, thumper-type linebackers that excelled in the 70’s and 80’s in an effort to have better coverage linebackers in the middle of their defense. As the NFL continues to throw the football nearly every down, McKenzie is evolving his Raiders defense around that same idea.

At the 2015 Scouting Combine, Heeney ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and posted a 6.68-second time in the three-cone drill.

Like Heeney, Wilson will have to make an impact as a core special teams player before he sees snaps on the defensive side of the ball, for he lacks ideal experience coming out of the Mountain West Conference and will need time to develop into a premier run defender in the box at the next level. Though he possesses great height for the position, Wilson will continue to get bullied by bigger offensive linemen if he doesn’t add mass to his frame and develop his technique as a block shedder.

Without much NFL caliber depth behind Heeney, Wilson could very well play himself into a premier backup role if he can outperform his teammates in preseason. Three-year veteran Darren Bates has registered just 25 tackles in a limited role with the Rams, and former undrafted free agents Korey Toomer and John Lotulelei combined for just one defensive snap in 2015. Former Colorado State linebacker James Corey, the Raiders’ sixth-round draft choice in 2016, has experience at inside linebacker, but he best projects as pass-rusher at the next level.

Yes, expecting Wilson to earn starting reps as an UDFA is quite rich, but he could step into a significant role if Heeney does go down with an injury and the depth ahead of Wilson struggles in replacement.

Given his upside and measurable-driven versatility, Wilson should find a home on the Raiders’ roster as a moveable depth piece who makes the highlight reel on special teams.