The New Orleans Saints made a splash on Day 3 of the draft when they opted to trade a 5th rounder for edge rusher Tyree Wilson, and the former top-10 draft pick plans to make sure they’re happy with the investment.
Speaking with Bobby Hebert and Mike Detillier this week on SportsTalk, Wilson said he was grateful for Saints’ belief in him and excited to prove them right.
“[I want to] just fit in wherever they need me. I mean, I see myself as more than a rotational guy,” Wilson told WWL. “I feel like my best years are yet in front of me. I’m excited to come here and get with the guys and put the best ball in a Saints uniform.”
Hear the full interview with new Saints DE Tyree Wilson in the player above. Can’t see the embed? Click here.
Wilson’s presence fills what appeared to be a need heading into the draft, but the Saints leaned heavily toward the offensive side of the ball, drafting three WRs and a tight end, including Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall. The lone defensive lineman drafted was DT Christen Miller. Rather than bring in a young, developmental player with the No. 150 selection, the Saints sent that to the Raiders for Wilson and the No. 219 pick. Las Vegas used their selection on S Dalton Johnson out of Arizona.
The move brings in a former top draft prospect who started his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Texas Tech for his final two seasons, where he was teammates with Saints QB Tyler Shough. Wilson has had limited production at the NFL level, rolling up 91 tackles (16 TFLs), 12 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in his three years. Those figures are nothing to scoff at against NFL competition, but they are well below the expectations that come with being a top pick. Wilson has been available, appearing in 50 of 51 possible games over that span.
He’s also had reasonably consistent position coaching despite having a different head coach all three seasons. The Raiders retained DC Patrick Graham and DL coach Rob Leonard for all three years. Still, Wilson said he was expecting a trade and knew a “change of scenery” would serve him well.
“I love Vegas and love the people, love the opportunities in Vegas, but I feel like I wasn’t off to the best start and pretty much it was always changing coaches every year and I feel like here in New Orleans the trend is going upwards,” Wilson said, “and, you know, I’m grateful to be here, grateful for the opportunity.”
Wilson now enters a contract year with Saints GM Mickey Loomis describing the situation as a “1-year trial” with the team not planning to exercise the 5th year option in his deal. He’ll join a group that includes Chase Young, another player who knows the pressure of being a top draft pick. The Commanders selected Young No. 2 overall in xxxx and traded him to the 49ers in the final year of that rookie deal. The Saints signed Young to a 1-year deal for the 2024 season and ultimately extended him on a three-year deal.
The new Saints DE told WWL that he’s not focused on the contract year. He knows that if he puts the work in and produces, the rest will take care of itself.
it’s not all about the money. I mean, the money will come once you show yourself on the field,” he said. “So, it’s really just get in there, making an impact on my teammates, making an impact on the organization and when we get to the season, just do everything I can to be the best player on the field.”