Raiders News: Maxx Crosby Believes Tyree Wilson Can Become ‘Great Player’ In NFL

The Las Vegas Raiders must have high hopes and expectations for Tyree Wilson whom they took with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Wilson is arguably the best pass rusher in his class and gives the Raiders a potentially potent one-two punch on the edges with him and Maxx Crosby. Crosby doesn’t have the first-round pedigree that Wilson does, but he’s turning himself into one of the best defensive players in the league and is positioned to once again lead Las Vegas on that side of the field.

The rookie has yet to take part in OTAs as he recovers from a foot injury, but Crosby has seen some limited footage of his new teammate and believes he could be great at the pro level.

“I haven’t watched a ton. Obviously I’ve seen a bunch of highlights and things like that, but just from his physical gifts alone he can be a great player. It’s just about the work you put in once you get into league. You can have tools, you can have every bit of talent – that’s the NFL, everybody’s talented – but it’s what you do when you get in the building. He’s had a great attitude so far, he seems like a great kid. So, I’m going to be there for him. I know Chandler [Jones] will as well and all the other veterans. So, we’re here to help not only Tyree but Byron [Young] and all the new guys we brought in as well.”

Talent will only get you so far in the NFL, so the best players are a combination of talented and hard-working. Crosby knows a thing or two about setting the tone with his mindset and approach to training and that makes him an ideal mentor for Wilson who will likely start the year playing behind him.

However, considering what Wilson looks like when he’s healthy, it shouldn’t take him long to take over as a starter next to Crosby. Wilson and Crosby could be a legitimate game-wrecking duo, and it’ll be exciting to see what their pairing looks like this upcoming season.

Dave Ziegler believes sky is the limit for Tyree Wilson

Dave Ziegler is banking on this draft class to carry the Raiders going forward, and Wilson seems positioned to be the player to propel them. Ziegler had high praise for Wilson shortly after he drafted him, saying the sky is the limit for the rookie.