It wasn't just rookies joining the New Orleans Saints during the 2026 NFL Draft. The Saints pulled off a draft-day trade with the Las Vegas Raiders to acquire Tyree Wilson, the former seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft, hopefully adding some juice to their pass-rush rotation off the edge. But what did it cost them? And who won the trade? That isn't a question we can argue in good faith until Wilson gets on the field, but it's worth taking a harder look at the deal now that all of the picks involved have been spent.
New Orleans acquired Wilson and the 219th overall pick (in Round 7) in exchange for the 150th overall pick (in Round 5). That difference in value comes down to a late-round pick. In the Jimmy Johnson trade chart, it's equal to 9.2 points, which falls between picks Nos. 204 and 205. On the updated Rich Hill model, it's an 8-point difference; that corresponds to picks Nos. 173 through 179. The straight-up value is a fifth or sixth rounder depending on which trade value chart you use.
Las Vegas traded up for Arizona Wildcats safety Dalton Johnson; the Saints moved down, added Wilson, and got a pick back to spend on Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback TJ Hall Jr. Getting two players for the price of one is a good deal on its own. If Hall can overcome some athletic limitations and see meaningful snaps as a rookie while Wilson chips in four or more sacks? That's a win.
The Saints got good value in trading down, and it's the latest pick-swap for a veteran player we've seen from Mickey Loomis in recent years. He made similar moves to acquire wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk and offensive tackle Asim Richards, and Wilson could be the next one up. If Wilson can be a positive contributor, this is turns into A. It's tough to be too critical when we're working with late-round picks. Many guys drafted here never play a down for their team.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Grading Saints' haul in Raiders-Tyree Wilson trade