1.  His last name is Wilson – You know Matt Flynn is waking up in a pile of cold sweat screaming “Wilson!!!” every night.  The minute the Raiders drafted Wilson, Flynn was doomed to see the past repeat itself.

2.  Wilson has the tools – Before this trepid 2012 season at Arkansas in which the poor kid lost his head coach and QB guru, Bobby Petrino, he was headed for a 1st round selection and possible 1st overall selection.  The “Hair” himself, Mel Kiper Jr., had him pegged as a 1st round guy before the season.  Take a  look at his junior year statistics via ArkansasRazorbacks.com and you will be reminded why he was talked about so highly, “ 277-of-438 passing for 3,638 yards and 24 touchdowns with six interceptions, becoming just the second Razorback in school history to pass for 3,000 yards in a season.”  All against the heralded SEC defenses.  Consider this, from his NFL.com draft profile: ” Wilson was unable to improve upon his junior season for a myriad of reasons, including the loss of his head coach, the departure of his three favorite receivers, and a sub-par offensive line.”  Hard to find a QB anywhere that wouldn’t struggle after losing all that he did.

3.  Oakland has nothing to lose – The Raiders have been pegged as the worst team in the league for this coming season.  They lack talent across the board.  Why not develop a young guy with potential?  As a fan I would much rather watch a young guy develop than a career backup lead us to a 4-12 record and leave the team about where we started.  Another AFC team, the Broncos, went through this with the Orton and Tebow dilemma 2 years ago.  Broncos fans were dying to see Tebow play and find out if they had anything in him.  They knew what Orton’s ceiling was, they wanted to see what Tebow could do given the opportunity.

4.  Young Coaches – With the young coaching staff of Dennis Allen, Greg Olson (O-Coordinator) and John Defilippo (QB’s) you know they want to attach themselves to a high ceiling guy they can put their fingerprints on as oppose to a guy who has been developed by other coaching staffs.  This staff would have the opportunity to start fresh with Wilson.

5.  Recent Rookie QB Success – The learning curve for rookie quarterbacks has sharply declined due to the offenses in the NFL going to the spread and the difficulty of the college offenses going up.  Offensive coordinators and coaches have helped by morphing the offense to match the QB’s skills (see RGIII and Russell Wilson).  Having played in the SEC and under Bobby Petrino he should have a firm grasp of NFL terminology and a strong understanding of NFL style defenses.

All of these reasons might not be needed as Tyler Wilson might just be the most talented QB on the Raiders roster.  But as I stated at the start of this article it is fluff season and the Raiders need any bit of news to get excited for the up-coming season.  So, speak to me Raider fans, who do you want to see lead the Silver and Black in 2013?

Note:  Purposely didn’t mention Terrell Pryor as I think he will end up being 3rd string…

Nov 3, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson (8) looks to pass during the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Tulsa 19-15. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Wilson had lots of upside following the 2011 season at Arkansas. The Razorbacks had won 11 games he was named first team All-SEC. Than everything in Arkansas got chaotic following Bobby Petrino’s exit. Wilson was forced to learn a new offensive scheme and wasn’t quite able to put up the same numbers.

But he never complained, and if he is a product of the system failing him. He could potentially be a steal in the draft if he slips into the mid rounds.

“Any player that is in this thing wants to go as high as they possibly can, but also it’s the situation,” Wilson said on ESPN Radio, via Sports Radio Interviews. “There are the Russell Wilsons of the world that went in the third round and find themselves in a very productive situation now. We will see. Somewhere hopefully in the first three rounds.”

But he isn’t downplaying the significance of the 2012 campaign and is trying to find the positives or silver linings if you will.

“I think coming off a year with 11 wins, tied a school record, there are so many expectations moving forward in the state of Arkansas. ‘This team has a chance to win a national championship.’ Then you go through all that adversity of the coaching staff and then of injuries and it’s a test of your character. How bad do you want to play this game? For me, it was wake up everyday and give everybody else a goal that might be a little different than we first anticipated, but how do we win this week and how do we become successful? I think that is a test of who you are and helped me down the road for sure.”

And he knows what he can bring to a team willing to draft him.

“I think a natural ability to throw the football. Competitiveness. I think when I step into the huddle, I think people understand I can help us move the football down the football field.”

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd participates in a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 – Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida – Sharrif Floyd is the best looking defensive tackle in the draft.  It’s hard to go wrong with an SEC defender, who dominates high potential NFL caliber competition week in and week out.  This should be a no brainer if available.  Star Lotulelei also looks to be solid, but health concerns will add a slight liability that make him fall out of the top 5

Nov 3, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson (8) looks to pass against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Tulsa 19-15. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2 – Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas – Out of all of the quarterbacks in the draft this year I think Tyler Wilson may have the highest ceiling.  He was amazing his junior year and never quit during a tough senior campaign where the Arkansas program got rocked by off-field scandals.  That season may make this too big of a risk to go for in the 1^st for some teams, but this is the QB with the most fight in him and the most to fight for.  He will be a steal for whoever gets him in the 2^nd round.  But especially for a team like the Oakland Raiders who provide him with other potential starters to have to compete with in Pryor and Palmer

Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick (21) tackles LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) during a punt return during the second half of the 2012 BCS National Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Later Round Sleeper – Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU – Before the Honey Badger, I’ve never heard of needing rehab for weed. This whole situation reminds me of the scene in Half Baked where Dave Chappelle gets an earful from Bob Saget for only being a pothead at rehab.  The important thing to look at here was his terrible decision to forgo a year of football which probably set him back considerably.  Going the Janoris Jenkins route of an FCS probably would have solidified him as a round 1 or 2 pick, especially given Jenkins immediate impact on the Rams.  If he’s really ready to come back and get back into form, he can be a steal in the 4^th round.  I think if he succeeds he has the potential to be one of the leagues best and could really fill the hole Nnamdi’s move to the Eagles created in the Oakland secondary.

With the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine just days away, people have been anticipating their respective teams to watch for positions of need, and albeit this isn’t a very strong class, there will be plenty of teams watching the QBs work out at Lucas Oil Stadium. Now, within that sentence is the fact that this QB draft class is not a very deep one, easily the weakest in recent years. That doesn’t mean there won’t be top 5 talent in this position, but as you’re about to see, it’s virtually one player, than everybody else. So, to kick off our countdown, the 1st QB to watch for, is:

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia – He’s been a force in the collegiate ranks these past 2 seasons, earning himself a few mentions of Heisman Trophy candidate from time to time. What we have in this player, is a larger, more accurate version of Michael Vick, who once upon a time was the top overall draft pick for the Atlanta Falcons. Smith has a fairly strong arm that can squeeze the ball into tight spaces, which is key in the NFL. What he also has, is speed, a lot of speed and mobility. The NFL is experiencing an evolution at the QB position, where teams are coveting athletic QBs that can turn a busted play into a highlight play, with recent as well as somewhat comparable examples being Cam Newton (Panthers) and RG3 (Redskins). What I do find concerning, though, is when he played the tougher teams on his rather easy schedule, such as Texas Tech and Kansas State, he simply wasn’t as special as he normally would be against other teams. But, he certainly played like a legend at other times, most notably his historic performance against Baylor, where he went 45-of-51 for 656 yards and 8 TDs, with 0 ints. Overall, he’s perhaps the most gifted QB in this draft class, and he’s receiving very high grades from around the league. This, is your top overall pick candidate from the QB class of 2013.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC – Prior to this season, this Trojan alumni was widely considered to be the best QB in this year’s draft class. After this season, he’s second if not third best depending on who you ask or believe. He simply did not have a good season, and is a classic example of what could happen to your draft stock if you receive a top overall grade during your junior year, and decide to stay for your senior season (which I respect). He was under consistent pressure as the OL was resemblant to a car wreck. They really missed their former LT Matt Kahlil, who’s now developing quite nicely with the Minnesota Vikings. Now, with all the negatives brought first, comes the positives. First off, he’s not a QB who’s exceptionally gifted with athleticism unlike a lot of his counterparts, instead, he knows how to play the position from the pocket in an NFL style of offense, which is huge for an inbound rookie. He’s also shown good throwing mechanics, and has shown patience as well as good timing in his throws. His greatest strength, is his overall decision making. Yes, he did again have a very rough senior season, where one will be quick to point out his decision making as a flaw, but I instead look at his overall body of work, where he simply played like a QB who’s ready for the NFL. He may not be top 5 or even top 10 this year, yet make no mistake, he’s got the potential.

Mike Glennon, QB, N.C. State – His stock is on the rise, as he comes in with a reportedly big size (6’6″ 220 lbs) and has an absolute rocket for an arm. His pocket presence is also one that’s admirable, where he is able to move the pocket and avoid potential sacks, which was demonstrated before a large audience in his upset win over the FSU Seminoles. Of course, with the positives, comes the negatives, and his footwork will be heavily critiqued and criticized by a ton of draftniks everywhere. His inconsistency is a serious red flag, as when he would play like a top 5 overall pick at times, he would play like a scrub at others. He can not afford to rely on the large windows in college to pick defenses apart. When you have bad footwork, topped with inconsistency, then you have accuracy problems. It’s not like he’s never been on the money, he just needs to get more consistent with his decisions as well as throws. He’s a work in progress, but in the right environment, he could shine.

Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse – This player has already received some pretty high marks by a few NFL teams needing QBs, most notably this nugget I found while researching into QB prospects. He played with poise, intelligence, and accuracy while playing for the Orange. He also did most of this on his own, where he did not have a really dependable supporting cast to aid him during key moments of the game. What I like best about him, is that he’s the least rattled QB under pressure in this group of QBs. He’ll take a nasty shot, only to get up, and play as cool as a cucumber the very next series of plays. If there could be anything that has managed to lower his draft grade, it’s supposedly his throwing motion. Something I discovered while looking around, was there is a perception of him having a strange “hitch” in his overall motion. I hardly noticed it when I watched a few of his games, but then again I’m not an NFL scout. Also, he didn’t have a particularly strong performance during the Senior Bowl, which always hurts a player’s stock prior to the draft. He of course could skyrocket up the boards if he has an incredibly strong combine, but as of right now, he’s my 4th player on this list. But, he’s definitely earned the right to be considered a sleeper as well.

Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas – Good Lord, the past season for the Razorbacks could not have gone any worse in 2012, where everything seemed to go so wrong after such a promising performance the season prior to this disappointing year. To top it off, Tyler Wilson was playing injured this past season, where he missed the game against the eventual champion Alabama Crimson Tide. Yet, there was some light this past season, and most of it shined when Tyler Wilson stepped onto the field. He turned in a few good games after his injury, and before last season, he showed an enormous amount of potential as a QB destined for the NFL. I’m not ready to compare him to Ryan Mallett, but he’s definitely someone I’d expect a QB needy team to eyeball after the 1st round, if they haven’t already chosen a QB prior to the second or third round. His arm strength is not something to brag about, though, although that’s expected to be a result of a collarbone injury. Speaking of which, that is a significant reason why he may not see himself chosen in the 1st round, as collarbone injuries are not easy to come back from while playing as a QB. His smallish hands were brought up from time to time, which is supposedly a reason why Sam Bradford fumbles the ball a lot, but I’m not really convinced that “small hands” warrants a real hit on his resume. What does warrant a hit, though, is he was a real brash risk taker, that would make poor choices at the absolute worst time. Again, considering the circumstances he was playing under, it’s not a real surprise as to why he took so many risks, he simply went out and played ball. If you want to see a first round calibre player picked up in the mid rounds of the draft, and see him able to compete from day one, then here he is.

I am certain there will be other players that fans wanted to see included in this top 5, including but not limited to E.J. Manuel, Tyler Bray, Landry Jones, and even Collin Klein among others, and as always, feel free to comment on who you think deserves to be in this list. Bottom line, in this weak draft class, I believe these are the best 5 players available in the most important position to play in the NFL.

Nov 3, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson (8) looks to pass against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Tulsa 19-15. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

In a draft year that is lacking talent at the quarterback position many aren’t expecting a lot of quarterbacks to be taken in the first round. Geno Smith could be picked #1 overall or drop down in the first round significantly. USC’s Matt Barkley has garnered a lot of interest but there is no guarantee he’ll go in the first round either.

Arkansas’s Tyler Wilson though says he think he’ll go in the first round.

“I feel that way,” Wilson said, via the USA Today. “I know where I stack up and a number of things I can bring an NFL team. I think I’m worthy.”

Wilson elaborates on why a team would take him in the first round.

“I’m spinning the heck out of the football,” Wilson said. “My natural ability to throw the ball has always been my signature. But it’s also my ability to move around a little bit and buy myself some time to make throws other guys wouldn’t make because I’m tough and will hang in there a little longer, and I can make throws while I’m being pressured.”

Well a strong combine and pro day can always move a player up and down a draft board. Wilson certainly has had to overcome his own trials at Arkansas as he saw coaches and coordinators come and go, not to mention losing his top 3 targets to last years draft.

“I feel good about my throwing, better than I’ve ever felt.”

New to NFLSpinZone.com is the latest feature, “Scout’s Corner.”

Every week on Tuesday and Thursday, we will focus on one of the draft eligible prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft. At season’s end, we will have compiled a healthy stockpile of scouting reports for you all to use as you gear up for the draft. Scout’s Corner will feature in-depth scouting report that will be updated with regularity. You will be able to find all of the scouting reports in one spot by just CLICKING HERE.

Jan 06, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson (8) throws a pass during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2012 Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. Arkansas won 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

If you would like to request a scouting report, simply send a reply to me on Twitter at @jnsanchez.

Today, we look at another top quarterback prospect in the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft class — Arkansas Tyler Wilson. Last season, Wilson become the first quarterback in Razorbacks history to be named first-team All-SEC quarterback.

Wilson holds nine Arkansas school records, including a very big one in the eyes of NFL scouts — career completion percentage. He could have been a top signal-caller in the 2012 draft, but decided to return for his senior season.

NOTE: All measurables taken from Wilson’s athletic bio.

Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 220-pounds

Strengths: Wilson is excellent in the pocket and has displayed superb decision making skills. With another year to grow, Wilson’s ability to read the defense will only get more and more impressive. Wilson not only has the accuracy as evidenced by his school record in completion percentage, but he also posses a strong arm and can make all of the big league throws.

A sneaky part of Wilson’s game is his deceptive athleticism. He will not blow you away with his numbers, but he will be able to do enough to keep the play alive and he has shown a strong ability to throw the ball off his back foot and on the run.

When in the pocket, Wilson will stand tall and is not afraid to take a hit from the defender in order to step into his throw. His toughness rubs off on his teammates and speaks volumes about his leadership.

Weaknesses: The biggest thing Wilson needs to prove this season is that he will be able to step up in the big games. Last season, he struggled in two of Arkansas biggest games of the season — LSU and Alabama.

Wilson will also have to show that he was not a product of his coach, Bobby Petrino, and his star class of wide receivers. He loses his coach and top three wide receivers from last season, so it is a perfect opportunity for Wilson to put any doubt to rest.

Overview: Wilson enters the year as what looks to be a surefire first-round pick at quarterback. Worst case scenario if he continues to play up to his talent, Wilson would be the third quarterback selected behind Logan Thomas and Matt Barkley. Of course, another year of game film can change all of that.

There is plenty of room for Wilson to grow and he needs to seize the moment and prove he is worthy of a first-round selection. He will be under the microscope this season and, if he struggles, he could end up falling into the mid-rounds.

To stay up to date on the latest from NFL Spin Zone, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.