Lesson Raiders Can Learn From Tyree Wilson Experience

General Manager John Spytek did not draft Wilson; that former GM Dave Ziegler (who now works in the Titans' front office). He had no ties to him and felt comfortable moving on.

We previously stated that it was highly unlikely that Wilson would get his fifth-year option picked up by the Raiders before the trade. In fact, the Saints already declined it, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

What can the Raiders learn from the Wilson fiasco and its end? Let's figure out why it all went wrong.

What Went Wrong for Tyree Wilson in Las Vegas

Wilson dealt with injuries during his rookie season stemming from a foot surgery he underwent in December 2022 during his final season at Texas Tech. That never allowed him to experience the general lumps rookies take in their first season.

However, even when he got healthy, his improvements weren't enough to warrant a starting role. Malcolm Koonce was playing better than him, and Wilson was pigeon-holed into a rotational role along the interior.

That role, truthfully, fit him well, but when Koonce got injured before the 2024 season, Wilson still didn't earn a starting role, only doing so for four games. He played better in his second season, but didn't take the step the team hoped for from a first-round pick.

He played the fewest snaps of his career in 2025, signaling that the current regime was ready to move on.

Why It Didn't Work From the Start

Watching the film on Wilson coming out of Texas Tech, you could see that there were lapses in his game that would need serious refining. He had almost no pass-rush plan and relied on being more physical than his matchup.

That archetype often struggles to translate in the NFL, and that was the case for Wilson. He never had the chance to develop, especially because of the failed Chandler Jones experiment and the desperate need to find a Robin to Maxx Crosby's Batman.

Wilson is tasked with having a big season in New Orleans, or he risks not getting a second contract. The Raiders likely won't be drafting a defensive end archetype like Wilson any time soon, either.