One of the most memorable moments of the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft was the intense emotion displayed by wide receiver Jordyn Tyson when he was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the eighth pick in the first round.
Dez Bryant and the NFL World Celebrate Jordyn Tyson’s Emotion
In a post on his X account, the Dallas Cowboys legend Dez Bryant noted that Tyson should definitely let his emotions show.
These are the moments that will stay with Tyson: getting drafted into the league is at the top of any player’s list.
Bryant wrote: “It’s okay to cry, bro! This your moment!”
It’s okay to cry bro! This your moment!
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 24, 2026
The NFL World also reacted to Tyson’s emotional outburst. Tyrann Mathieu recorded a video to praise the Saints’ selection.
Tyrann Mathieu Welcomes @tyson_jordyn to New Orleans ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/lV23dM4AiN
— In The Bayou With Tyrann Mathieu (@InTheBayouPod) April 24, 2026
Dov Kleiman described the wide receiver’s emotional reaction as “a special moment” of the night.
He wrote: “Heartwarming: New Saints WR Jordyn Tyson dropped to his knee to cry after getting drafted.”
Heartwarming: New Saints WR Jordyn Tyson dropped to his knee to cry after getting drafted.
What a special moment captured 🥹pic.twitter.com/6eKKF8hUjJ https://t.co/NnCLHuWvcM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 24, 2026
Field Yates described the moment as a “special night for the Tyson family,” highlighting his older brother Jaylon, who is currently competing in the NBA playoffs with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“What a night for the Tyson family. WR Jordyn Tyson was just selected 8th overall by the Saints. His older brother Jaylon, a 2024 first-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is currently trying to help the Cavs to a 3-0 lead in their series vs. the Raptors.”
What a night for the Tyson family.
WR Jordyn Tyson was just selected 8th overall by the Saints.
His older brother Jaylon, a 2024 first round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is currently trying to help the Cavs to a 3-0 lead in their series vs. the Raptors.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 24, 2026
Jerit Roser noted the raw reaction of the player as he wrote: “A tearful Jordyn Tyson out here gospel-singing and preaching. The Saints got themselves a really nice fit.”
A tearful Jordyn Tyson out here gospel-singing and preaching.
The Saints got themselves a really nice fit.
— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) April 24, 2026
Gregg Rosenthal also echoed the NFL World’s reaction to the Arizona State player’s genuine emotion.
“Jordyn Tyson’s spittle is the most emotional moment of the night.”
Jordyn Tyson’s spittle is the most emotional moment of the night
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) April 24, 2026
In an interview with ESPN, Tyson explained why he was unable to control his strong emotions when the New Orleans Saints made their announcement, citing family reasons.
“My mom’s grandma also passed away last night so it’s also been an emotional one (night) for her, but we’re fighting through it, trying to make the best out of this situation and it’s part of god’s plan,” he told ESPN.
“It’s been amazing (last 24 hours), honestly, I’m an uncle now, I feel a little older,” he said.
“Same exact shoes he wore,” Jordyn confirmed during the same interview.
“He couldn’t be here with us today because he has a game today obviously at the same time as us so had to bring him here somehow,” Tyson continued.
Tyson Overcame an Early-Career Injury in College
Tyson began his career at Colorado, where his freshman season was cut short by a severe knee injury (torn ACL, MCL, and PCL). After transferring to Arizona State, he regained his form, earning Big 12 Conference “Offensive Newcomer of the Year” honors in 2024. He finished the 2025 season ranked as the No. 23 overall wide receiver nationally, according to the PFSN’s College Football WR Impact metrics.
PFSN’s Scouting Report ranked Tyson as the 3rd-best WR in the Draft and the 11th-best player available, with a grade of 88.76. Additionally, our analysis highlighted that the WR’s career was not affected by the injury, as he maintained a high level of play throughout his college football career.
“He’s a composed downfield tracker who can make claustrophobic catches at high speeds, and he’s a budding route technician whose malleable makeup and panic-inducing speed produces limitless possibilities as a separator. The biggest question mark of Tyson’s evaluation isn’t anything on film; rather, it’s his durability. He never played through a full season at the collegiate level, and has a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL on his record from his time at Colorado.”
“That major injury hasn’t at all affected Tyson’s mobility or fluidity as an athlete, but the medical evaluation at the NFL Combine will be key if he is to keep his standing alongside Tate and Lemon. Nevertheless, if Tyson can stay healthy, he’s arguably the most complete three-level threat in the 2026 NFL Draft.”
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The Saints’ selection of Tyson with the 8th overall pick shows that they view the wide receiver as the ideal partner for Chris Olave. Furthermore, the team is signaling that it will give quarterback Tyler Shough more young options in the passing game; Tyson is a player who can operate both on the outside and in the slot, thanks to his precise route-running and ability to gain significant yardage after the catch.
PFSN’s Ian Cummings, Jacob Infante, and Cam Mellor are grading all the first-round picks on YouTube. Take a look at what they had to say about Tyson at Saints.
