The Las Vegas Raiders decided it was time to cut ties with former Top 10 pick Tyree Wilson. On Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Silver and Black sent Wilson and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for a 2026 fifth-rounder (No. 150), which Las Vegas used on Arizona safety Dalton Johnson.
Wilson was the seventh pick of the 2023 draft out of Texas Tech and started seven games for the Raiders in three seasons, and has 12 career sacks, including four last season. Nonetheless, given where he was drafted, Wilson has been a disappointment for Las Vegas.
As a result, the Raiders’ VP of Player Personnel, Brandon Hunt, explained why it was time for both parties to part ways.
“We were going to say it was just an opportunity for a fresh start, a fresh start for him and a fresh start for us,” Hunt told reporters on April 25. “The phone was ringing throughout the entire draft, and when that call came in, we looked at where we were as a team and the decisions we had made in free agency and the draft.
“We felt it was an awesome opportunity for him and for us. We wish him all the best. We’re thankful for his contributions as a Raider, and we think he’ll do a great job in New Orleans.”
Raiders Likely Want Keyron Crawford to Replace Tyree Wilson
The trade of Wilson looked to be on the horizon after the Raiders decided to bolster the edge of the defensive line with the No. 74 pick in the third round by drafting former Auburn Tigers star Keyron Crawford.
After nearly trading Maxx Crosby this offseason, the Silver and Black are providing more help in the pass rush for the veteran. Following the Raiders’ selection of Crawford, the 22-year-old spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on playing alongside Crosby on the team’s defensive line.
“Maxx is definitely one of my favorite players just because of how he attacks the field and how he carries himself,” Crawford told reporters on April 24. “I can’t lie, I’m going to pick apart everything about him.
“It’s about taking that and translating it to my game, my routine and my schedule, and trying to be the best person as well. Being able to learn from him at a young age is important, but at the same time, I still want to surpass him. If I can’t do that, I’d definitely love to play alongside him on the other edge.”
Keyron Crawford Looks to Translate College Production to NFL
Crawford finished the 2025 college football season with a 76.3 overall defensive grade from PFF, placing 166th out of 852 qualifying edge defenders. His pass-rush grade was 85.8, ranking 48th at the position, while his run-defense grade was 73.9, ranking 237th.
As a pass rusher, the former Tigers standout totaled 43 pressures, including five sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 26 hurries. Against the run, he recorded 23 solo tackles and forced one fumble during the season.
It will be interesting to see if Crawford can have an impact on the Raiders’ pass rush as a rookie and replace the production that Wilson provided last season.
Raiders Announce Major Reason for Tyree Wilson Trade Decision