Should the Saints select Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The New Orleans Saints are in desperate need of reinforcements at wide receiver after their roster was gutted throughout the season. Rashid Shaheed was shipped off at the trade deadline, Brandin Cooks was released mid-way through the season, and Devaughn Vele suffered a shoulder injury.
Luckily for them, a perfect pairing awaits them in the 2026 NFL Draft with Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
Chris Olave will be the number one option in 2026 regardless of any additions. He’s had a spectacular season with 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. However, it’s vital to have another elite option on the roster. This is why it would make sense to select Tyson with their first-round pick. He would complement Olave and Devaughn Vele perfectly.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver began his collegiate career at Colorado before transferring to Arizona State after his freshman year. He’s recorded 136 receptions, 1,809 yards, and 18 touchdowns for his career in Tempe, AZ. Tyson burst on the scene as the primary receiver in the Sun Devils’ College Football Playoff run in 2024 before suffering a season-ending collarbone injury.
Tyson is an outstanding route runner. It’s nearly impossible for any cornerback in the nation to guard him in tight-man coverage. He’s mastered using hesitations to create separation and keep defenders guessing. He’s got amazing short-area quickness, which helps create instant separation. The redshirt junior is smooth in/out of cuts and doesn’t lose speed. He’s an outstanding athlete, which runs in the family as his brother was a first-round pick in the NBA, and is a mismatch against 90% of corners.
Tyson can play all over the field, but is likely an X or a Z receiver at the next level. He’s got a full toolbox of release packages that help him consistently beat man coverage, allowing him to play on the line of scrimmage. Yet, he still thrives when put in motion and can carry momentum into the route.
Yards after catch isn’t Tyson’s calling card, but he’s still explosive and can create plays. Arizona State frequently calls screens to give him the ball in space, and it frequently results in a formidable gain.
The biggest question surrounding Tyson is his durability. He’s dealt with a plethora of injuries in college, including a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL in 2022, a collarbone injury in 2024, and a nagging hamstring problem in 2025. His meeting with team doctors at the NFL Combine will be paramount in his evaluation. His draft stock will either soar or plummet depending on those results.
In addition, his hands have been inconsistent. They were questionable in 2024 but have improved this season. Tyson only has a drop percentage of 1.6%, which is great, but some bobbles and close calls are evident on film.
Jordyn Tyson may be the perfect fit for the Saints offense. He would give Tyler Shough another weapon and be a fabulous complement to the receiver room. Tyson would be a home-run selection in the 2026 NFL Draft if his medical tests come out positive with his route-running prowess and athleticism.