Saints Make Risky Selection In Latest Mock Draft

The New Orleans Saints hold the eighth-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and there’s a decent chance this is the last time they make a top-10 selection for a while. While the team has tried to tread water ever since Drew Brees called it a career, New Orleans finally has a legitimate reason for long-term optimism. Second-round pick Tyler Shough impressed in the back half of the 2025 season, and the team could make some noise in a weak NFC South next year. With this in mind, Bleacher Report recently released a mock draft where the Saints swing for the fences with their first-round pick.

According to the popular website, the New Orleans Saints will use their first-round pick on Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Tyson has the potential to be one of the game’s premier pass-catching options, but he comes with his own set of risks.

“In this instance, the Saints add Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson to pair with Chris Olave,” the mock draft reads. “Tyson has a higher upside than Carnell Tate, but he brings an injury history that’s somewhat worrisome. But the Saints should take a risk here, because Tyson is talented enough to open up the entire offense.”

Saints Select Jordyn Tyson In Latest Mock Draft

Jordyn Tyson is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward pick. Outside of quarterback, you could easily argue there is no bigger competitive advantage than an elite receiver on a rookie contract, and Tyson has that potential. He can line up in all three receiver spots with ease and has a well-rounded route tree that allows him to separate on all three levels of the field. He knows how to use his hands to beat press coverage, has a nose for finding holes in zone, and has everything you need to be a premier wide receiver in this league.

Well, almost everything. The best ability is availability, and Jordyn Tyson struggled to stay on the field throughout his collegiate tenure. The Arizona State product missed time in each one of his collegiate seasons and suffered serious injuries in 2022 (knee), 2024 (collarbone), and 2025 (hamstring). Football is a physical game, and injuries are inevitable. However, his consistent inability to stay on the field suggests his body simply may not be able to hold up to the physical punishment brought on by the game.

Fit In New Orleans

Chris Olave isn’t going anywhere, and he developed a nice rapport with Shough by the end of the season. However, this team needs another reliable set of hands. With Rashid Shaheed in Seattle and Alvin Kamara getting older, New Orleans must find someone who can consistently earn targets. Jordyn Tyson has the potential to be that guy and, on paper, could form one of the league’s better receiver duos with Olave.

However, this mock draft will only come to fruition if the Saints believe his injury history isn’t a concern. Only time will tell what happens with Tyson, but he and Shough could be a lethal duo for years to come.