Should the Chargers draft Jordyn Tyson?
The NFL season is wrapping up, so a majority of people are beginning to turn their attention towards the 2026 NFL Draft. This has led to analysts releasing their first mock drafts of the season. One of these new releases is Cynthia Frelund, who had an interesting selection for the Los Angeles Chargers with Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. A pass catcher isn’t the Chargers biggest need, but the value of him at number 22 may be too stellar to pass up.
The offensive and defensive line are far bigger needs than wide receiver for the Chargers. It would be wise to address them; however, if none of their top options are on the board, it makes sense to go with the best player available. This isn’t saying that wide receiver isn’t a need, because it definitely is, but other groups outweigh it.
It isn’t a given that Tyson will be available at pick 22. He’s uber-talented and is well worthy of a higher selection. However, he has a concerning injury history that could make him drop in the draft. Frelund echoes this in a section under her pick for the Chargers.
“If Tyson were available at this pick, I think they’d scribble down his name at lightning speed. If not for some past injuries, his stock would be higher,” Frelund wrote. “His ball-tracking and body-control metrics rate very highly despite the injury history, and even though his speed is not in the top echelon, his contested-catch ability and short-area quickness help make up for it.”
As Frelund eluded to, his short-area quickness and prowess while router running are unmatched. He has long, fluid strides that eat up space on the field. He’s exceptional in and out of cuts and can create instant separation with a variety of tempos.
Tyson is a quarterback's best friend. He has an uncanny ability to find open ground and be an option for his passer while under duress. His hands were inconsistent early in his career, but have developed into being reliable.
The biggest issue with Tyson is his injury history, which began in 2022 when he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL while at Colorado. Since then, he’s suffered a broken collarbone in 2024 and a nagging hamstring injury that kept him out of four games in 2025. This is a major cause for concern among NFL teams. His NFL Combine interviews, where teams’ medical staff can examine him, will be pivotal in determining his stock.
It’s not a certainty that Jordyn Tyson will be on the board at pick 22, but if he is he will be an enticing option for the Chargers. Wide receiver isn’t their biggest need, but it may make sense to draft the best player available instead of reaching for a position.