Defensive end Tyree Wilson was a holdover from Dave Ziegler’s short run as Las Vegas’ general manager. Jack Dempsey / The Associated PRess
The Las Vegas Raiders traded 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson and a 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 219) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for the 150th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday. The Raiders then used that fifth-round pick to select Arizona safety Dalton Johnson, the 16th-ranked safety on Dane Brugler’s big board in “The Beast.”
Wilson, the former Texas Tech Red Raiders standout, started only seven games and played in 50 over three seasons with Las Vegas. He registered 91 career tackles and 12 sacks over that span.
The Raiders have former All-Pro Maxx Crosby rejoining their ranks and signed free agent edge rusher Kwity Paye to a three-year, $48 million contract in free agency ahead of 2026. Wilson, a former All-American, will now try to revive his career in New Orleans.
What this means for the Raiders
The writing was seemingly on the wall for Wilson, as the Raiders had yet to pick up his fifth-year option. His exit timeline was expedited when they drafted Auburn edge Keyron Crawford in the third round on Friday, an athletic pass rusher seemingly ready to step into Wilson’s role.
Wilson was a holdover from Dave Ziegler’s short run as Las Vegas’s general manager and survived Tom Telesco’s year-long tenure as well. But Spytek cut ties with Wilson in favor of his own guy, as he continues to put his stamp on the new-look Raiders. — Sam Warren, Raiders reporter
Analysis of the Dalton Johnson pick
The Raiders continued to bolster their secondary with the selection of Johnson. Las Vegas selected Treydan Stukes, Johnson’s college teammate, with the 38th pick on Friday. It also traded up one pick to take Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy with the first selection of Day 3.
Johnson projects to be a solid backup strong safety in the pros. He posted 11 pass breakups and four interceptions as he earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. His on-ball production fits the Raiders’ defensive needs after they ranked 31st in the league in pass breakups a season ago. — Warren
Apr 26, 2026
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