Tyler

Wilson

Wilson, the 112th overall pick in April’s draft, struggled with the mental side of the game in Raiders camp and fell behind undrafted free agent Matt McGloin. GM Reggie McKenzie is keeping McGloin, Matt Flynn, and Terrelle Pryor on the roster at quarterback.

Wilson, the No. 112 overall pick in April’s draft, has been a colossal flop. He’ll likely revert back to the practice squad once he clears waivers.

The Titans likely gave Wilson a two- or three-year deal and will carry him on their offseason roster. Wilson was the 112th overall pick in April’s draft. He wound up getting beaten out in the preseason by UDFA Matt McGloin.

It’s only one non-padded practice, but there’s reason for concern when your quarterback stable is Matt Flynn, Tyler Wilson, Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin. “Time and again, balls were batted at the line of scrimmage, thrown behind receivers, thrown over receivers, delivered too high or just plain off the mark,” Corkran observed. Las Vegas has set the Raiders’ win total at 5.5, tied second-worst in the league behind the Jaguars. It’s going to be ugly.

Flynn is getting the majority of reps with the starters during OTAs. “Matt’s our starting quarterback as we go forward right now,” Allen said, “and until the competition dictates otherwise, that’s where we’re going.” Flynn will have to faceplant in order to lose the job to fourth-round rookie Tyler Wilson. We suspect that faceplant won’t come until sometime during the season.

Most beat writers following the Raiders don’t even consider this a real competition. Terrelle Pryor remains too raw as a passer and fourth-round rookie Tyler Wilson has struggled early on. Flynn will have to faceplant in epic fashion not to be under center come Week 1. So far, he’s been the “most impressive” of the trio, showing the “most accurate arm” and a “good grasp of the offense.” Flynn is ranked as the No. 31 fantasy quarterback in our Draft Guide.

Wilson reportedly looked like a “seasoned veteran” at rookie minicamp, throwing the football with placement and velocity. He’ll look even better in preseason games because Wilson stands tall and firm in the pocket and isn’t gun-shy under pressure. “Throwing the ball, he’s done a nice job,” said coach Dennis Allen. “I don’t have any question about his arm strength and his accuracy.”

Wilson (6-foot-2 1/8, 215) succeeded Ryan Mallett and started for two seasons, looking like the potential No. 1 overall pick in 2011 before regressing in 2012 as Arkansas’ program fell apart. He finished with a career completion rate of 62.6 and a 52:26 TD-to-INT ratio. Wilson’s accuracy can be scattershot and his arm strength isn’t overwhelming, but he is the toughest pocket passer in this draft and loves to challenge defenses vertically. He’s a gunslinger with good mobility. Current Raiders starter Matt Flynn could lose his spot to a rookie named Wilson for the second year in a row.

Wilson had to be one of the nation’s toughest quarterbacks behind Arkansas’ porous line, and that’s a trait that translates well to playing under center in the NFL. (i.e. Blaine Gabbert didn’t have it; Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin did.) “We like the way he can move around in the pocket,” McKenzie said. “We like his toughness to hang in there and see the field. We think he has a lot of qualities that go into being a good solid quarterback in the NFL.”

Wilson has fallen well behind undrafted free agent and former Penn State walk-on Matt McGloin for the No. 3 job. His big chance comes Thursday night, as he’ll finally get extended preseason action. Wilson’s roster spot is not secure despite his fourth-round pick status.