Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints get their pass rusher during the 2026 NFL Draft, but not by investing a draft pick in a college prospect. New Orleans is sending a fifth-round selection to the Las Vegas Raiders for a high-ceiling veteran.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints pivoted to talks with the Raiders after the team’s conversations with the New York Giants surrounding a potential trade for edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared the full compensation package for the deal, which includes the Saints sending their No. 150 overall selection in the fifth-round to the Raiders in exchange for Wilson and a 2026 seventh-rounder, No. 219 overall.
Comp update: the Raiders have acquired a 2026 fifth-round pick (150th overall) from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick (219th overall) and DE Tyree Wilson.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2026
Wilson is in the fourth year of his rookie contract after being selected No. 7 overall out of Texas Tech in the 2023 NFL Draft. New Orleans will also own the decision to exercise his fifth-year option by the league’s May 1 deadline. His cap hit for the 2026 season is just $7.96 million.
The 6-foot-5, 263-pound edge rusher is an excellent fit for Saints’ defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s defensive system. His build is reminiscent of one of Staley’s past edge rushers, Leonard Floyd.
Wilson has logged 12 career sacks and 16 tackles for a loss over his three years with the Raiders, playing a maximum of 50 percent of the defensive snaps over his 50 games. He’s likely to be a part of a heavy rotation in New Orleans as well, swapping out with edge rushers Chase Young and Carl Granderson.
Attention will now turn to veteran free agent Cameron Jordan. This trade could send mean the end of the veteran’s run in New Orleans while the Saints continue to reload its roster with young talent.
The Saints will now have a seventh-round selection in this year’s draft.
