Raiders send former first-round pick to Saints during NFL draft: Trade details

TL;DR

The Raiders traded former first-round pick Tyree Wilson and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Saints for a fifth-round pick. Wilson, selected seventh overall in 2023, faced challenges with three head coaches in three seasons.

Key points

Raiders traded Tyree Wilson to the Saints
Wilson was a first-round pick in 2023
Raiders received a fifth-round pick in return
Wilson faced three head coaches in three seasons
Ravens canceled a trade for Maxx Crosby due to medical concerns

Las Vegas RaidersNew Orleans SaintsBaltimore RavensTyree Wilson

A Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher is on the move – but it’s not Maxx Crosby.

The Raiders traded former first-round pick Tyree Wilson and a seventh-round selection (No. 219 overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fifth-round pick (No. 150 overall).

Wilson was the Raiders’ first-round choice in 2023 at seventh overall. He had three head coaches in three seasons (Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce, Pete Carroll) and Klint Kubiak was hired this offseason.

In March, the Raiders agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens that shipped Crosby – a five-time Pro Bowl selection – away for two first-round picks. But the Ravens backed out of the deal over concerns with Crosby’s medical history, particularly a recent knee injury.

Wilson, a Texas Tech product, has elite size – 6-6, 270 pounds – and was one of the highest-rated prospects in his draft class.

“You saw it all there – the body type that comes out of central casting,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said on the draft broadcast.

But the ability to win in the pass-rush game consistently wasn’t, Riddick said, and he noted that Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley could unlock Wilson’s potential.

In 2025, Wilson had four sacks, eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He has 12 career sacks.

According to NFL Network, the Saints attempted to trade for the New York Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux. The two sides could not agree on compensation, per the report, and the Saints pivoted to Wilson.

The Saints recently salvaged another highly-drafted edge rusher who did not live up to the hype at his initial stop in , who was the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year for the after being picked second overall. But injuries induced plateauing and he joined in 2024; Young had his most productive season (10 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles) last season.

Q&A

What did the Raiders receive in the trade with the Saints?

The Raiders received a fifth-round pick (No. 150 overall) in exchange for Tyree Wilson and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Who is Tyree Wilson and why was he traded?

Tyree Wilson is a former first-round pick by the Raiders in 2023, traded due to challenges he faced, including having three head coaches in three seasons.

What was Tyree Wilson's draft position and background?

Tyree Wilson was selected seventh overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and played college football at Texas Tech.

Why did the Ravens back out of the trade involving Maxx Crosby?

The Ravens backed out of the trade due to concerns about Maxx Crosby's medical history, particularly a recent knee injury.