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The Las Vegas Raiders moved on from former Top-10 pick Tyree Wilson during Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team dealt Wilson, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick, to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fifth-round selection (No. 150), which Las Vegas later used to draft Arizona safety Dalton Johnson.

Last season with the Silver and Black, Wilson posted a 57.6 overall defensive grade from PFF, ranking 91st out of 115 qualified edge defenders. His pass-rush grade came in at 60.4, placing him 77th, while his run-defense grade of 48.2 ranked 106th at the position.

He finished with 35 total pressures as a pass rusher, including four sacks, 28 hurries, and three hits. Against the run, he recorded 25 solo tackles and forced one fumble over the course of the season.

Wilson will be looking for a fresh start and be in a scenario in which he can boost his production. Nonetheless, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis stated that the trade is a one-season commitment for the team.

“It’s a one-year trial , and we’ll see how it goes,” Loomis said on April 26 (h/t Pro Football Talk).

Loomis’ comments strongly suggest the Saints won’t pick up Wilson’s fifth-year option, which would lock in $14.475 million for the 2027 season. If he turns in a strong year, it could put him in line for a bigger contract, a situation New Orleans would have to sort out next offseason.

Raiders Explain Decision to Trade Tyree Wilson

Despite being the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Wilson wasn’t drafted by this new regime. As a result, Raiders VP of Player Personnel Brandon Hunt explained why it was time for both parties to part ways.

“We were going to say it was just an opportunity for a fresh start, a fresh start for him and a fresh start for us,” Hunt told reporters on April 25. “The phone was ringing throughout the entire draft, and when that call came in, we looked at where we were as a team and the decisions we had made in free agency and the draft.

“We felt it was an awesome opportunity for him and for us. We wish him all the best. We’re thankful for his contributions as a Raider, and we think he’ll do a great job in New Orleans.”

Las Vegas Have Tyree Wilson Replacement

The trade of Wilson looked to be on the horizon after the Raiders decided to bolster the edge of the defensive line with the No. 74 pick in the third round by drafting former Auburn Tigers star Keyron Crawford.

After nearly trading Maxx Crosby this offseason, the Silver and Black are providing more help in the pass rush for the veteran. Following the Raiders’ selection of Crawford, the 22-year-old spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on playing alongside Crosby on the team’s defensive line.

“Maxx is definitely one of my favorite players just because of how he attacks the field and how he carries himself,” Crawford told reporters on April 24. “I can’t lie, I’m going to pick apart everything about him.

“It’s about taking that and translating it to my game, my routine and my schedule, and trying to be the best person as well. Being able to learn from him at a young age is important, but at the same time, I still want to surpass him. If I can’t do that, I’d definitely love to play alongside him on the other edge.”