The New Orleans Saints surprised many by not selecting an edge rusher in the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft—but they made up for it in a big way on draft day. By trading their fifth-round pick (No. 150 overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Saints landed former top-10 pick Tyree Wilson, along with a seventh-rounder used on Iowa defensive back TJ Hall.
Wilson, who turns just 26 in May, brings the kind of raw potential that’s hard to find in the fifth round. It wasn’t long ago he was one of the most hyped prospects in the country. Here’s a closer look at what he brings to New Orleans and why this trade could be a steal.
Wilson’s college journey started at Texas A&M in 2019, where he notched 3 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as a freshman. He then transferred to Texas Tech, and after a quiet 2020 season, he exploded onto the scene. In 2021, he led the Red Raiders with 7 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Despite missing three games in 2022, he again topped the team with 14 tackles for loss and 7 sacks, earning First Team All-American honors.
The Raiders selected Wilson with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, making him the second edge rusher off the board after Will Anderson. As a rookie, Wilson played in all 17 games (no starts), logging 44% of defensive snaps. He finished with 3.5 sacks, 8 QB hits, 11 pressures, and 2 tackles for loss among 29 total stops—a solid, if unspectacular, debut.
His 2024 season showed modest growth. In 16 games (four starts), he played 50% of snaps and produced 4.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, 17 pressures, 6 tackles for loss, and 27 total tackles. The 2025 campaign offered more of the same, but the Saints see untapped potential in a player still just 25 years old.
Now, under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, Wilson has a chance to revitalize his career. Staley’s aggressive scheme could unlock the length and power that made Wilson a top-10 pick in the first place. For a Saints team looking to bolster its pass rush without spending premium draft capital, this trade might be the perfect fit.