The New Orleans Saints hold the No. 8 pick in the draft, which takes place this Thursday, and it could be a selection that changes the course of the franchise’s season as the team found the minimum level of stability needed on offense after hitting on Tyler Shough at quarterback last year.
There are many potential directions for the Saints depending on which need they choose to prioritize, and many believe wide receiver could be the pick in the first round in a class that features three top-tier prospects at the position.
Jordyn Tyson Boosts Tyler Shough in 2026 NFL Draft Projection
Many questioned the decision to draft Shough as the franchise’s new quarterback, especially with Shedeur Sanders still available on the board in the second round of 2025. However, on the field, it became clear that Shough earned the opportunity to be the starter this season.
With a solid performance that showed flashes of his potential, the expectation is that this will be a year for the franchise to build on that foundation and assemble a more competitive offense to push for a playoff spot, and that process could begin in this draft with the selection of Jordyn Tyson.
The Arizona State wide receiver is one of the top three prospects at the position, alongside Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon, and, despite concerns about his durability, Tyson was the pick in PFSN’s 7-round mock draft to strengthen New Orleans’ receiving corps.
“Jordyn Tyson is a threat with his agility, sinking his hips sharply into his breaks and consistently creating separation underneath. He probably won’t be the first wide receiver off the board due to his injury history, but he still carries a very high ceiling at the next level,” Jacob Infante wrote.
Right now, the Saints have Chris Olave as their top receiver, a talented player who has dealt with injuries at the professional level but still surpassed 1,000 yards last season. Beyond Olave, the group lacks depth, with Devaughn Vele and Mason Tipton serving as complementary targets.
Tyson recorded 24 touchdowns over four years in college, with his best season in 2024, totaling 1,102 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. The concern is that Tyson missed significant time in college due to injury, but otherwise, his stock would likely be more secure.
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The Saints’ offense ranked No. 26 in the PFSN Offense Impact Metrics with a 68.0 score and lacks the skill players needed to compete for a Super Bowl or even a playoff spot. Adding Tyson would be a step toward building a group that blends youth with experience and gives Shough more to work with.
