New Orleans Saints fans are eagerly awaiting the emergence of rookie WR Jordyn Tyson, and the former Arizona State standout got a ringing endorsement from his new QB this week.
Speaking on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast this week, Shough described what he's seen from the No. 8 overall pick in limited action thus far.
"He's kind of just like an elite hooper. ... He's going to hoop regardless," Shough said. "Like, he's going to jump out of the gym on somebody. He's going to get open in the most crazy way, but he's also kind of got this grittiness to him that I think not a lot of people give him credit for."
The "hooper" line is no coincidence. Tyson's older brother, Jaylon, was a first-round NBA draft pick and a key wing player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jordyn Tyson has said working with his brother was a key part of what set him up for success in the NFL.
The only real thing that's held Tyson back to this stage, and what dinged his draft stock earlier this offseason, is availability. Tyson battled multiple significant injuries throughout his college career and had his draft process hampered by lingering hamstring issues. He got on the field for the first day of Saints rookie minicamp, but was held out of the remainder of practice sessions open to the media for what the Saints referred to as a ramp-up process. They maintained that there was no new injury, and it was simply about making sure he was ready for the workload.
Tyson was in attendance for every workout, despite not participating in on-field work, and Shough applauded the young player's work and preparation.
"It's still very early on as far as not a whole year, so I'm kind of excited to see what he can do when it comes to just a full workload, and it's hard coming in as a rookie, especially a higher pick and putting pressure on yourself. He cares about it so much," Shough continued. "I think the biggest thing for him is going to be able to be out there, be consistent and so far, even in the walkthroughs and practices, I don't think he's messed up a rep, so he's really smart. I think we've just got to continue it and see where we can go, and it takes all of us."
Shough is set to hold a passing retreat with his receivers and tight ends later this month in San Diego, something that former Saints QB Drew Brees helped organize.
The young WR will assuredly have the spotlight on him when the Saints take the field for training camp on July 29. He'll be expected to form an elite tandem from Day 1 with WR Chris Olave, who is coming off a season with career highs in targets (156), catches (100), yards (1,163) and touchdowns (9), and is expected to ink a lucrative contract extension prior to the start of the 2026 season.
