The Las Vegas Raiders have officially turned the page on a recent roster investment. According to Adam Schefter, Las Vegas is trading defensive end and former Red Raider Tyree Wilson, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 219 overall), to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 150 overall).
At face value, it’s a modest swap in the last rounds of the draft, but underneath it all, it’s a franchise acknowledging a miss and choosing to move forward. Tyree Wilson’s story is rooted in Texas Tech Red Raider football, where he developed into one of the most disruptive players in the Big 12. After transferring from Texas A&M, he became a force on the field in Lubbock. Wilson racked up 29 tackles for losses, 15.5 sacks, and earned All-American honors before declaring for the draft.
Wilson entered the league with significant expectations after being selected No. 7 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. His physicality was undeniable with elite power, length, and the kind of raw profile that pro teams gamble on early. However, the production never consistently matched. Across three seasons with the Raiders, Wilson racked up 91 tackles (57 solo), 12 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 50 games.
Las Vegas flipping Wilson for mid-round draft flexibility signals a shift towards roster retooling for the Raiders. And for the Saints, it’s a calculated upswing as they bet on the version of Wilson seen at Texas Tech.
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This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Las Vegas Raiders trade former Texas Tech star Tyree Wilson to Saints
Reporting by Lauren Beasley, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
