Defense has been the story of the year for the Las Vegas Raiders through their ’24 campaign–more specifically, the incredible development of individuals on Patrick Graham‘s side of the ball. Second-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett, for example, became a staple in week-to-week Raiders coverage due to his extraordinary play throughout his sophomore season. Second-year edge rusher Tyree Wilson falls in that same boat, going from a liability to a legitimate contributor in one year’s time. Then there’s K’Lavon Chaisson, who refuses to let a week go by without leaving his mark on a contest.
Wilson and Chaisson are forcing those who cover Sin City’s football team to write about their exceptional play week-in and week-out, to the point it would almost be understandable if Raider Nation was tired of hearing about them.
Tyree Wilson, Las Vegas’ seventh-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has become somewhat of a villain in the eyes of many Raiders fans. Due to his struggles as a rookie, in addition to Jalen Carter‘s hot start to his career – the player who many of Raider Nation wished for – a large number of fans find it difficult to acknowledge Wilson’s blatantly remarkable improvements this season.
Week 17 was the latest showing of Wilson’s growth.
Las Vegas Raiders: A story of unmistakable growth
Against the New Orleans Saints, the Raiders’ second-year edge rusher had a game to remember. Not only did he record the highest grade against the run via Pro Football Focus among all Las Vegas’ defenders on Sunday, but no player to play on either team was able to beat the 74.3 mark Wilson earned in this category. Among all edge rushers across the National Football League to play in Week 17, this grade stood as the 11th-highest.
Such a performance against the run is pretty on-par with Wilson’s sophomore campaign. Through 17 weeks, only 24 players at his position league-wide who’ve appeared in at least six contests this season can claim they’ve earned a higher grade against the run than the Texas Tech alum has.
As good as his day was against the run, pass-rushing is where Wilson truly left his mark in this contest.
Tyree Wilson, and his growth as a pass-rusher
For the fifth time this season, the 24-year-old was able to get himself in the sack column. He did this while forcing eight pressures on the day; his highest mark in a single contest. This also stands as the most pressures any Raiders player not named Maxx Crosby has posted in any game this season.
In fact, only one player across the entirety of the NFL totaled more pressures than Wilson in Week 17.
The 6-foot-6 pass-rusher was able to total such a large number of pressures due to his high win-percentage against those who tried to block him. On 31 pass-rush downs, Wilson was able to beat his assignment 17.2% of the time.
Despite missing a full game, in addition to playing a mere four defensive snaps in a separate second outing, Wilson headed into the week already totaling more pressures than he did during the 17 games he played in 2023. With eight more added since, he now has seven more pressures than any Raiders defender who doesn’t wear No. 98.
Numbers are up across the board for Wilson when comparing his ’23 and ’24 seasons. Beyond the pressures being incomparable, his overall win-rate against opposing blockers is also night-and-day. During his rookie season, Wilson was able to best his blockers on only 6.4% of snaps. This year, that percentage has skyrocketed to 10.4%.
The uptick in sacks is a direct result of Wilson’s much improved win-percentage. Although he’s played in what’s essentially three less contests at this point in time than he did one year prior, 2023’s seventh-overall pick has managed to accumulate more sacks this season than last. Additionally, Wilson has totaled six quarterback hits, topping his mark of four in this category during his rookie campaign.
Then, there’s K’Lavon Chaisson
What can be said about Chaisson’s ’24 campaign that hasn’t already been said? Thanks to his string of high-level outings that’ve been talked about each week, it’s becoming difficult to give new information on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ former first-round pick.
Thankfully, earning the highest pass-rush grade among each and every edge rusher to suit up in Week 17 is good material. K’Lavon Chaisson was able to do just that against the New Orleans Saints.
With a grade of 90.5 when going after the quarterback, Chaisson finished his week with a higher mark than any player at his position. No edge rusher league-wide was particularly close, even; the second-highest grade being 85.6.
The 25-year-old got to the quarterback for his sixth time this season, now totaling 4.0 sacks through his last five weeks of football. Additionally, Chaisson was able to cause pressure on three occasions, combining with Tyree Wilson for 11 of the Raiders’ 23 total pressures on Sunday.
On the year, K’Lavon Chaisson has recorded 26 pressures through the 12 regular season contests he’s truly been a part of. More impressively, the former first-round pick is beating his blockers a team-high 14.0% of the time; this time, including Maxx Crosby.
No member of Sin City’s defensive corps has earned a higher pass-rush grade than Chaisson’s mark of 76.6 throughout the season. Perhaps Las Vegas should aim to retain their potential-loaded pass-rusher who’s currently on a one-year deal.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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