Grade the trade: Saints acquire former first-round pick for basically free with surprising trade during day 3 of 2026 NFL Draft
The New Orleans Saints have acquired former first-round pass rusher Tyree Wilson from the Las Vegas Raiders. Mickey Loomis makes another impact move outside of selecting rookie players.
The New Orleans Saints made a bold move on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mickey Loomis’ squad traded for a former top ten selection via the Las Vegas Raiders.
Saints trade for former top ten pick EDGE rusher Tyree Wilson
The Saints traded the No. 150 overall pick in this year’s draft – which Las Vegas used to select Arizona defensive back Dalton Johnson – in exchange for Wilson and the No. 219 pick in this year’s draft. New Orleans used that seventh-round pick to pick
Wilson was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft. He started seven games for the Raiders in three seasons and has twelve career sacks, including four last season. He improved over the course of 2025 and could be a role player for the Saints defense next season.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been through several regimes in the last few years. That means there are a handful of guys who were drafted by the regime in power at the time. For example, defensive end Tyree Wilson was selected No. 7 overall by the Josh McDaniels/Dave Ziegler regime. Since then, and no slight at Wilson, it’s been clear that he was not worth the No. 7 overall pick.
I’ll give Wilson his flowers because he has steadily improved every season, and towards the end of last year, he started to come on strong. However, maybe there’s a world where he is better on a different team. He’s gotten better at being quicker at the point of attack, and his get-off at the line is better. However, the production still isn’t there, and the Raiders gave him so many chances to develop.
Justin Churchill
A to Z Sports Las Vegas
Pass rusher was not addressed by the Saints during the draft, so this sort of move makes even more sense. New Orleans’ front office and coaching staff clearly saw the value elsewhere in the class.
Accordingly, the Saints saw the potential in Wilson and wanted to add him to the depth chart. With the price, just a Day 3 pick swap, it was a move they could afford to make.
With reports swirling regarding the Saints’ interest in New York Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, it may have been smarter for New Orleans to make a cheaper move to acquire Wilson instead. New York may have been looking for day 2 draft capital in exchange for Thibodeaux, and that would not jive for the Saints considering their current window.
The Saints add a physically gifted piece who will try to prove he is better than he has shown so far in his pro career so far. Given the price of the acquisition, I like the choice by New Orleans. Wilson gets a fresh start with DC Brandon Staley.
GRADE: B
