Jordyn Tyson didn't go through the full gamut of offseason workouts that you'll typically see from NFL prospects. The Saints were sold in other ways before deciding to select the Arizona State standout at No. 8 in the 2026 NFL draft.
Hear WWL Radio's exclusive interview with new Saints WR Jordyn Tyson in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
Brought to you by TRANESOUTH: It's hard to stop a Tranewww.audacy.comThe Saints were able to dig into the mental side of Tyson's game even as he worked back from a hamstring injury. That included conversations and board work at the NFL combine. The Saints also had Tyson in for a top 30 visit to get a better idea of what makes him tick.
"What’s really cool is this guy, you felt the football junkie in him," head coach Kellen Moore said. "This guy really knows football. He really knows the receivers in the league and, you know, you’re asking about which receivers are you watching that you’re trying to learn from, well I learned from this guy and here’s why … and I mean, he’s got a really smart head to him, you know, as far as a football acumen and awareness of what’s going on around our league and everything and so, you know, it was really impressive."
One of those conversations at the combine was with Saints scouting director Jeff Ireland. Tyson recalled being asked a leading question that he realized was designed to "try to get under his skin" to see how he'd react. That's the moment he knew the Saints' interest was for real.
“He had told me something but it wasn’t the truth, trying to see if I would agree with it," Tyson said, "but I didn’t agree with it, because it wasn’t the truth.”
The appreciation for his mental side of the game was important as the Saints assessed questions regarding the physical side. Tyson's injury history has been well documented, including a major knee injury that ended his freshman season at Colorado and cost him all of 2023. Tyson transferred to Arizona State and opened eyes with 75 catches, 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024, but that campaign ended early due to a broken collarbone. He continued to star in 2025 despite a nagging hamstring issues that cost him three games and kept him out of the majority of the draft process.
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Moore said the questions and concerns regarding those issues were reconciled early in the process, but Tyson's ability to get on the field for a workout in front of a host of NFL personnel last week was certainly a plus.
"There’s always questions with every player and you try to eliminate as many questions as you can," Moore said, "and hey, if a guy works out in April and shows that he’s running around and making plays like that, obviously you have a few less questions.”
Tyson himself said that despite not being involved in drills at the combine or Arizona State's pro day, the work never stopped. He's been curating his daily processes and working to solve the issues that led to the hamstring injuries. He attributed the problem to tight hips, which have been a focus of his offseason work. He credits his work with Arizona WRs coach and former NFL star Hines Ward in helping him perfect that process.
“[Ward] was everything, he played 14 years, been there, done that, basically everything he learned over his time he just instilled it all in me so I don’t make the same mistakes he made, but he’s been there for me, he’s been everything I needed," Tyson said. "He’s kept me grounded, he’s made sure I’m doing everything right in terms of off the field as well. He’s been a great dude. I can’t thank him enough and shoot, he ain’t done coaching me up … we’re going to talk on the phone all the time because he was that good.”
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The selection, the Saints' highest on a WR since Wes Chandler in 1978, is the latest addition in an offseason that's seen a host of high-profile moves on the offensive side of the ball. New Orleans also signed LG David Edwards, RB Travis Etienne and TE Noah Fant, adding teeth to an offense that already features a rising star in WR Chris Olave and an intriguing QB in Tyler Shough entering his second year. Tyson was the second WR off the board after Ohio State's Carnell Tate went to the Titans at No. 4.
“The big thing is they’re all awesome people," Moore said. "They’re really good football players. They’ll be great in the locker room, you know, we want this group to come together and work together and that includes all three phases of this team and so again, there’s plenty of acquisitions we’ve got to keep working through here.”
The Saints have seven more selections, barring trades, to potentially continue adding to that group. Their next two selections will come on Friday with picks 42 and 73 overall.
