Falcons Draft Rumor: Coach Ryan Nielsen 'Loves' Tyree Wilson

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is reportedly interested in Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson, citing his similarities to New Orleans Saints star Cameron Jordan.

Most of the talk surrounding the Atlanta Falcons' selection at No. 8 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft has come with a condition.

Sure, perhaps the Falcons will draft Georgia outside linebacker Nolan Smith, or maybe Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness - and don't forget about Texas running back Bijan Robinson, among many others.

But ... if Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson falls to No. 8, he becomes a home-run pick for Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and the coaching staff, one of whom has grown quite fond of Wilson, per SI's Albert Breer.

"I’ve heard new Falcons DC Ryan Neilsen loves Wilson, seeing a little Cameron Jordan in his game (and the Saints system does favor bigger edge players)," Breer writes.

The 6-6, 271-pound Wilson has 35-inch arms and an 86-inch wingspan, certainly checking the box of being a "bigger" edge player. He has similar length but isn't quite as big as Jordan, who stands 6-4, 287 pounds, but there's plenty of growth potential.

At the NFL Combine, Wilson said that he'd "be excited" to play for the Falcons after having a positive formal interview with Atlanta's decision makers.

The issue is that Wilson isn't particularly likely to last until pick No. 8; he's been linked as high as the Houston Texans at No. 2 and is highly thought of by the Arizona Cardinals (No. 3), Seattle Seahawks (No. 5) and Detroit Lions (No. 6).

However, the Texans have been connected to Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr., while Arizona is a hot spot to trade down with a team searching for a quarterback.

The Seahawks are something of a mystery, with some locking in Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and others speculating elsewhere, including Wilson. Detroit has been heavily linked to cornerbacks, most notably Illinois standout Devon Witherspoon.

But still, the odds, admittedly, aren't great that Wilson slides - which is why the Falcons have been linked to several other players who have similar characteristics, including Van Ness, who Breer has "heard would fit that (Jordan) mold for Atlanta."

At 6-5, 272 pounds, Van Ness fits the bill and is almost certainly going to be available at No. 8, or in a potential trade-down opportunity, though the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 10 are supposedly quite high on the former Hawkeye.

And thus, the condition returns back to where it was - if Wilson falls, the Falcons will likely pull the trigger, but if not, attention turns elsewhere ... perhaps even to Van Ness.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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