During the fifth round of the recent 2026 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints traded with the Las Vegas Raiders for edge defender Tyree Wilson. New Orleans only had to give up a fifth-round pick, and the team received Wilson and a seventh round pick in return. That’s pretty low compensation for a player who was picked seventh overall in 2023, but it speaks to how Wilson’s career has gone so far.
The veteran defender is aware of his reputation as a top pick who hasn’t met expectations, but he’s determined to change that in his new environment with the Saints. Wilson believes he has the perfect new teammate to help him on that journey. That teammate is Chase Young, and Wilson recently pointed out the similarities in their path.
Speaking with the media on Monday, Wilson explained that he believes he and Young will see eye to eye because of their paths, and that he’s planning to make the most of his opportunity in New Orleans just like Young did.
Tyree Wilson is looking forward to playing with Chase Young, and replicating Saints success
Wilson highlighted that they both were high draft picks (Wilson No. 7 in 2023 and Young No. 2 in 2020), and how that comes with tremendously high expectations. The former Raider also pointed out how those expectations don’t include much patience. However, Wilson says everyone’s timetable and journey in the NFL is different, and Young is an example of that.
Young did meet expectations early in his career, recording 7.5 sacks as a rookie and making the Pro Bowl. However, injuries significantly impacted his next few years in the league, and he found himself looking for a new team, with much lower expectations. Young landed with the Saints, and was able to restore the promise of his career. He recorded just 5.5 sacks during his first year with the team in 2024, but had a career-high 10 sacks in 2025.
Tyree Wilson is hoping for a similar turn around in New Orleans, as he enters an important contract year. The defensive end recorded 3.5 sacks as a rookie, 4.5 the year after that, and just four this past season. His production never matched the expectations that fans placed on him because of his draft spot, and that’s why the Raiders just traded him away. However, Wilson now has an opportunity in New Orleans to get things right.
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