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The New Orleans Saints have traded away the 150th pick of the NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders for edge rusher Tyree Wilson and the 219th pick in the seventh round. The Saints have been looking to add edge rushers either in this draft or through the trade market.

Yesterday, trade rumors circulated that the Saints were in trade talks with the New York Giants to acquire Kayvon Thibodeaux. However, the financial details were complicated given the Saints have limited cap space.

Now with Tyree Wilson, the Saints add another edge rusher to partner with Chase Young and Carl Granderson. The Saints now can decide if they want to accept Wilson’s fifth year option or else he will become a free agent next season. Another thing of note, with Cameron Jordan still unsigned, this probably marks the end of his legendary tenure with the Saints.

Tyree Wilson Struggled With the Raiders

GettyWilson never really found his footing with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Wilson failed to find consistency with the Raiders. Despite being a factor in their rotation for three seasons, Wilson’s production leaves something to be desired. Through three years, Wilson registered 12 sacks, 91 combined tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 4 forced fumbles.

PFF ranked Wilson as the 91st out of 115 edge rushers in the NFL after posting a 57.6 grade for the season. Wilson does not have an elite skill set. He falters in run defense and tackling, receiving a 48.2 grade and 28.6 grade respectively. He is average rushing the passer and dropping into coverage, getting a 60.4 grade and a 63.3 grade respectively.

Tyree Wilson was a Great Prospect

GettyTyree Wilson graded out as an excellent prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Despite not being a successful professional edge rusher thus far, Wilson had a great college career for Texas Tech. He played one year at Texas A&M his freshman year. Through his four year college career, Wilson had 122 combined tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks. 14 of those sacks came in the last two years of his college development.

PFF ranked Wilson as the 28th overall prospect in the draft. He was an extremely successful pass rusher in 2022, receiving a 79.9 pass rush grade and a 22.3% pass rush success rate. He also was a much better run defender in college, getting a 72.2 grade in that category.

PFF said, “Wilson is a handful for every lineman who has to block him. The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder will have a length advantage against almost every tackle he faces in the NFL. He has inside-outside versatility and put up 50 pressures [in the 2022 season].”

The Saints had success last year reviving Young’s career and rewarding him with a contract extension. Perhaps they can do the same with Wilson despite his struggles in the NFL.