KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Raiders trade edge rusher Tyree Wilson (7th overall, 2023) and pick 219 to Saints
- Move up to No. 150 in 5th round to select Arizona safety Dalton Johnson
- Johnson brings elite 88.6 PFF coverage grade, 4 INTs, relentless motor
- Second Arizona Wildcat in draft class alongside Treydan Stukes (#38)
- Major roster reset signals Spytek’s commitment to new defensive identity
PITTSBURGH – The Silver and Black aren’t just rearranging the furniture; they’re tearing down the walls. In a move that sent shockwaves through the draft floor at Acrisure Stadium, the Raiders have officially moved on from edge rusher Tyree Wilson, trading him to the New Orleans Saints.
The deal, which involved sending Wilson and a seventh-round selection (No. 219) to the Big Easy, allowed the Raiders to jump back into the fifth round at No. 150. With that pick, they wasted no time selecting Arizona safety Dalton Johnson.
Moving On: The End of the Tyree Experiment
Selected 7th overall in 2023, Tyree Wilson was once seen as the heir apparent to the Raiders’ pass-rushing throne. However, inconsistency and a lack of production made him the odd man out in Klint Kubiak’s new-look defense. By trading him now, the front office is signaling a total commitment to their own vision, choosing to recoup value rather than waiting on “potential” that hadn’t yet materialized in Las Vegas.
Player Profile: Dalton Johnson (S, Arizona)
- The Build: 5’11”, 198 lbs
- The Stats: A tackling machine who led the Wildcats in stops for two consecutive seasons.
- The Fit: Johnson isn’t just a “box” safety; he’s a high-IQ defender who posted an elite 88.6 PFF coverage grade last season. He brings four interceptions and a relentless motor to a secondary that is being rebuilt from the ground up.
The Arizona Connection
The selection of Johnson marks the second Arizona Wildcat heading to Vegas in this draft, joining second-round defensive back Treydan Stukes (#38). This built-in chemistry in the back third of the defense could be a massive advantage as the Raiders look to implement a more aggressive, cohesive secondary.
The Strategy: Aggression and Identity
General Manager John Spytek has been the most active trader on Day 3. Between the trade-up for Mike Washington Jr. and now the move for Johnson, the Raiders are hunting for specific traits: speed, high football IQ, and SEC/Big 12-level toughness.
Johnson brings a “down-hill” physicality that the Raiders have lacked. He’s the kind of player who times his hits to jar the ball loose and isn’t afraid to stick his nose in the run game – a perfect cultural fit for the “Silver and Black” rebrand.
WALK THE PLANK
This is the kind of move that defines a regime. Cutting ties with a 7th overall pick takes guts. But Spytek isn’t here to babysit potential – he’s here to build a roster that wins. Dalton Johnson might not have the draft pedigree of Tyree Wilson, but he’s got the tape, the motor, and the mindset to make this trade look like a steal in two years.
Welcome to Vegas, Dalton. Time to earn that chip on your shoulder.
