After surprisingly not selecting an edge rusher through the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints finally addressed the position via trade. The Saints traded the first of their two fifth round draft choices, pick number 150 overall, to the Las Vegas Raiders. In return, the Saints received edge rusher Tyree Wilson and a seventh round choice from the Raiders, used on Iowa defensive back TJ Hall.
Wilson has just as much upside as any player who the Saints would have drafted in the fifth round. He’ll turn just 26 in May and is just three years removed from being a highly touted draft choice. Here’s a look at what the Saints are getting from their newly acquired defender.
Tyree Wilson background
- Position: Edge rusher
- College: Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Height: 6-feet, 5 inches
- Weight: 263 pounds
- NFL experience: 3 years
Wilson began his collegiate career with the Texas A&M Aggies in 2019. He had 3 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as a freshman before transferring to the Texas Tech Red Raiders after that first season. He’d make a small impact at Texas Tech in 2020 before blossoming into one of the top defenders in the Big 12 over his final two seasons. In 2021, Wilson had 7 sacks and 13.5 stops for loss to lead the Red Raiders in both categories. Despite missing three games in 2022, Wilson again led the team with 14 tackles for loss and 7 sacks to earn 1st Team All-American recognition.The Las Vegas Raiders selected Tyree Wilson with the seventh overall choice in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the third defensive player selected and the second edge rusher picked behind Will Anderson by the Houston Texans. As a rookie, Wilson appeared in every game but had no starts. He played 44% (493) of the Raiders defensive snaps, contributing 3.5 sacks, 8 QB hits, and 11 pressures with 2 tackles for loss among 29 total stops.
Unfortunately, Wilson showed only moderate improvement in 2024. He played in 16 contests, making four starts and appearing in 50% (525) of the defensive snaps. With those opportunities he produced 4.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 17 pressures with 6 stops for loss and 27 total tackles. The 2025 season was much of the same for Wilson with the Raiders. He started three of his 17 game appearances but played a career-low 463 defensive snaps, just 41% of the total on that side of the ball. Wilson did have a career-best 35 tackles with 4 sacks, 6 QB hits, 11 pressures, and 6 stops for loss with 2 forced fumbles and a safety. The bulk of that production came in the season finale against the Chiefs. Playing against mostly backups, Wilson had 2 sacks, forced 2 fumbles, and recorded the safety.
Wilson’s fit with the Saints
Before the end of the draft’s second round, most of the quality edge rushers were off the board. The trade for Wilson made sense, as the Saints are in need of a pass rusher to complement Chase Young. Wilson may have been a disappointment with the Raiders, but New Orleans may be getting a motivated player looking to jump-start his career.
Wilson still has the explosiveness off the edge that caused him to be drafted seventh overall. He’ll need to refine his pass rush, add counter moves, and improve his bend around the edge. But, this is a player in the final year of his rookie contract and will need to show improvement and production for a decent payday, whether with the Saints or in 2027 free agency. Whether or not New Orleans re-signs Cameron Jordan, Tyree Wilson was a low-risk/high-reward addition that can give them some explosive traits along the edge of their defense.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: What the Saints are getting in trade for ex-Raiders EDGE Tyree Wilson