Why Saints drafted Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall in NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New Orleans Saints came into the 2026 NFL Draft with needs at edge rusher, wide receiver, and cornerback. Other than Mansoor Delane to the Kansas City Chiefs and Carnell Tate to the Tennessee Titans, the board went as expected.
As Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports, the Saints have drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
One of the top wide receivers in this year's draft is now coming to New Orleans. But why did the Saints make this pick when they already have Chris Olave?
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The Saints taking Tyson is not a massive surprise, given how the team has been linked to wide receivers leading up to the NFL Draft.
Tyson caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and was one of the best receivers in this year's class.
With Tate off the board thanks to the Titans, the Saints got the other top WR option, taking Tyson at No. 8 overall right before the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, both teams with WR needs, made their picks at No. 9 and No. 10 overall, respectively.
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Olave is a great number one wide receiver, but the Saints could use more help in the WR room, with their next best receiver being Devaughn Vele, a solid WR, but better as depth than as a team's number two option.
Tyson is a great receiver and has extremely high upside. Alongside Vele and Olave, Tyson will help the Saints offense make another leap by giving Tyler Shough as much help as possible to turn him into the franchise QB the Saints are hoping they get.
There are some injury concerns, but if he can be healthy and play alongside Olave in the Saints offense, this pick could be a fantastic one.
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