The New Orleans Saints have made their first move in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick.
The selection was made on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as part of the first round of the NFL Draft.
According to team sources and draft coverage, the Saints viewed Tyson as the best available receiver in the draft despite concerns about his injury history, which includes knee, hamstring, and collarbone issues that limited his workout participation until late in the pre-draft process.
Tyson, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 203 pounds, is expected to complement the development of quarterback Tyler Shough, who emerged as the Saints’ potential franchise signal-caller during the 2025 season after taking over as starter midway through the year.
The Saints finished the 2025 season with a 6-11 record, but showed improvement in the second half under Shough, who posted a 5-4 record as starter including four wins in the final five weeks.
Head coach Kellen Moore and general manager Mickey Loomis emphasized the need to build around Shough and address offensive needs beyond the quarterback position, particularly at wide receiver where the team sought to pair Tyson with existing talent like Chris Olave.
Tyson’s selection marks the highest draft pick for an Arizona State player since defensive back Mike Haynes was chosen fifth overall by the New England Patriots in 1976.
The Saints’ draft strategy for 2026 includes eight total selections, with additional picks in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds as outlined in their official draft tracker.
As the team looks to rebound from a last-place finish in the NFC South in 2025, the addition of Tyson represents a key step in reshaping the offense to support Shough’s growth and create more explosive playmaking potential.
The Saints will continue their draft proceedings on Friday and Saturday, aiming to address defensive needs and further strengthen the roster around their young quarterback.
For ongoing updates on the Saints’ 2026 NFL Draft selections and team developments, fans are encouraged to follow official team channels and trusted sports news outlets.
