The LA Chargers host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 as both teams look to get back to .500 with a 2-2 record. The 2023 season has not gotten off to the kind of start that either team was hoping for, although it was more predictable for one team to get off to a slow start.
The Chargers were projected to be a playoff team by many while the Raiders were projected to be picking in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft. It is no surprise that Vegas is 1-2 to start the year. It is a surprise that the Chargers are 1-2.
Making matters worse for the Raiders is the fact that the player who the team took in the top 10 in the 2023 NFL Draft does not seem to be panning out. Granted, we are only three games into the rookie class' first year but Raiders fans have to be sick with the early returns from edge rusher Tyree Wilson.
Tyree Wilson has a 0.0% pass rush win rate through three games this season.
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 28, 2023
That is the lowest of any rookie who’s played at least 25 pass rushing snaps.
Many NFL scouts leading up to the NFL Draft criticized Wilson for his “lack” of moves and finesse when it came to pass… pic.twitter.com/N8azY3gbpp
A 0.0% pass-rush win rate and only one tackle in three weeks is not a great look for Wilson. Making these numbers even uglier is the fact that he is playing opposite of Maxx Crosby, who theoretically should be making his life easier as a pass rusher. Unfortunately for Wilson and the Raiders, it is not going to get any easier in Week 4.
Rashawn Slater and the Chargers may expose Tyree Wilson as another Raiders draft bust
The most likely scenario is that Tyree Wilson is going up against Rashawn Slater on Sunday. Slater is one of the best tackles in the entire sport and the Raiders would be foolish to stick Crosby on Slater Island.
The Raiders would be effectively limiting their best defensive player by putting Crosby against Slater. Crosby may want the challenge of facing Slater but all Slater has done at the NFL level is win against pass rush. Crosby may beat him one or two times but it will be a quiet day for Crosby if he lines up against Slater.
That is why the Raiders are likely going to stick Crosby on the other side to go against Trey Pipkins. Pipkins is a serviceable tackle without a doubt but he is someone who is going to shut down Crosby and put him on an island.
That leaves Wilson on Slater on the other side and it is going to be an eye-opener for the young pass rusher. Slater is going to have his way with Wilson and make sure that the 0.0% pass-rush win rate remains that low heading into Week 5.
It won't take long thereafter for the general NFL media public to realize how poorly Wilson has played thus far in his NFL career and the bust talk will definitely start.