After months of rumors, speculation, and mock drafts, the wait is finally over. The New Orleans Saints have made their first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound wideout will join an up-and-coming young offense under head coach Kellen Moore. He'll step in opposite Chris Olave as a key target for second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.
The Saints needed to add to their receiver room at some point in this draft. While there could be talented options farther down the board, general manager Mickey Loomis elected to address the need early.
New Orleans Saints select Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson with No. 8 pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Over the last few months, Tyson has seen his draft stock fluctuate more than almost any other prospect in this class. While few scouts questioned his on-field performance, his injury history has been a consistent point of discussion.
Ultimately, he was deemed worthy of a first-round selection. The former Arizona State star has all the tools to become a dominant receiver in the NFL. He’s a smooth route runner with a surprising level of burst. Coaches will love his versatility, as he’s capable of lining up at all three receiver spots.
While he was limited by injury in his final season with the Sun Devils, he put up over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. The Texas native should immediately be a productive receiver in the league.
Tyson ranked 11th on FanSided's big board. Analyst Marcus Mosher said, "Teams who are nervous about Tyson have every right to be, as his long injury history would frighten anyone who wants to use a top pick on him. Those fears may be alleviated by the fact that he could challenge for the WR1 role immediately if he is given a clean bill of health."
If Tyson can stay healthy, he should be a valuable addition to the Saints' offense. His positional versatility and polished route running make him an ideal complement to Olave.
With the wide receiver need addressed and a solid offensive line and running back room to support Shough, the Saints have their offense sorted out. Expect them to focus on defense for the majority of rounds two through seven.