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A year ago, the 2026 NFL Draft class looked to have a clear-cut No. 1 prospect at wide receiver. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson boasted prototypical size and a penchant for separation and scoring during his career with the Sun Devils.
Fast forward 12 months and the rest of the class caught up to the Arizona State star. Now, the likes of Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon have worked their way into the discussion for who should be the first wide receiver off the board.
Tyson’s calling card is his route-running. That’s often a trait that incoming wide receivers need to develop more at the NFL level to make a measurable impact. For Tyson, he’s already a standout separator thanks to his route running and suddenness in and out of his breaks.
In 2025, Tyson clamped down on drops considerably, going from seven on 113 targets in 2024 to just one on 97 last fall. He may lack breakaway speed at the next level but he’s metronomically reliable and can split out wide or take routes from the slot.
Speed and his injury history are the two major knocks to his game. Tyson played 24 of 38 possible games at Arizona State as a result of ACL, MCL and PCL tears in 2022, a fractured clavicle in 2024 and a hamstring injury in 2025.
Teams could be scared away by those injuries but he’s still a dynamic threat outside that could be a super No. 2 wideout or a low-end No. 1 target in an NFL passing offense. As Tyson and the rest of the Sun Devils’ players show out one last time before the NFL draft on their Pro Day, here are five teams that would be a great fit for Tyson:
Jayden Daniels will hopefully be back fully healthy from injury in 2026 and the Commanders’ offense needs more juice on the outside to help maximize the unit overall. Washington has multiple needs beyond receiver and could realistically go running back at No. 7 overall if Jeremiyah Love is on the board but if not, Tyson could be a solid choice on offense.
He wouldn’t have to be the focal point of the passing game right away, thanks to Terry McLaurin’s presence, but could gradually build up his role. Tyson can reliably get separation which will come in handy for an offense that lacked that in 2025.
NFL DRAFT ODDS: Which team will draft Jeremiyah Love?
Miami traded away its top wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle, and now has veterans Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert to lead the way at the position. Not exactly placing much confidence in the passing offense with Malik Willis.
Miami has pressing needs on defense and could opt to use some of its later draft capital on wide receivers. If they’d rather stay put at No. 11 overall and get a wide receiver, Tyson would be a great fit.
Unlike Tate, Tyson shouldered the load as the top receiving threat in an offense for years. Taking on a big role like that in the NFL wouldn’t be a huge adjustment mindset-wise. Atwell and Tolbert have the speed to add that layer to the offense under Bobby Slowik but aren’t reliable separators. Tyson could take on a lead role and bump them down to more supporting roles in the passing offense overall.
New York is one of multiple teams with two first-round picks. If Tyson falls due to some injury concerns, he could be a great value pick at No. 16 overall.
Garrett Wilson is hoping for a bounce-back year in 2026 with a new quarterback in Geno Smith. That could be easier with Tyson taking some of the attention away from him in the passing game. Again, Tyson’s ability to separate consistently could raise the floor of the offense with Smith at quarterback and not take away from Wilson’s role as the leading man. His injury history could be a concern at MetLife Stadium, considering the recent significant soft-tissue injuries there (Malik Nabers’ ACL, Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles), but that shouldn’t be enough for the team to rule out taking him with their second first-round selection.
NFL DRAFT TOP 30 VISITS: Alabama QB Ty Simpson set to visit Jets
Carolina spent the majority of its free-agent money on bolstering the defense, which clears the path for offensive reinforcements to come via the draft. Tetairoa McMillan established himself as a clear No. 1 wide receiver with an outstanding rookie campaign. Finding him a running mate on the outside could take this Panthers’ passing offense up a notch.
McMillan is a big-bodied outside receiver who could free up Tyson to work either outside or in the slot alongside Xavier Legette or Jalen Coker. Two top targets like that would help the Panthers evaluate whether or not Bryce Young is the long-term answer at quarterback for the future. If so, Tyson could be another pillar of the passing game going forward. If not, the next quarterback will have plenty of solid weapons to throw to.
Pittsburgh used some of its draft capital to trade for Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts, giving the Steelers’ passing game a big-bodied possession receiver. That complements D.K. Metcalf’s speed on the outside but the Steelers could consider one more top investment for the passing game in Mike McCarthy’s first year as head coach. McCarthy’s best offenses in Dallas featured a potent passing offense built around CeeDee Lamb, a solid No. 2 option and good role players.
Tyson could rotate in the slot and give Aaron Rodgers (or whoever is playing quarterback in 2026 for Pittsburgh) a consistent separator. It’d allow him to work into a bigger role as both Metcalf and Pittman hit their age-29 seasons. Taking Tyson now could pay off for Pittsburgh’s next quarterback while helping their push in 2026.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jordyn Tyson landing spots: 5 NFL draft best fits for Arizona State WR
Continue reading...
Fast forward 12 months and the rest of the class caught up to the Arizona State star. Now, the likes of Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon have worked their way into the discussion for who should be the first wide receiver off the board.
Tyson’s calling card is his route-running. That’s often a trait that incoming wide receivers need to develop more at the NFL level to make a measurable impact. For Tyson, he’s already a standout separator thanks to his route running and suddenness in and out of his breaks.
In 2025, Tyson clamped down on drops considerably, going from seven on 113 targets in 2024 to just one on 97 last fall. He may lack breakaway speed at the next level but he’s metronomically reliable and can split out wide or take routes from the slot.
Speed and his injury history are the two major knocks to his game. Tyson played 24 of 38 possible games at Arizona State as a result of ACL, MCL and PCL tears in 2022, a fractured clavicle in 2024 and a hamstring injury in 2025.
Teams could be scared away by those injuries but he’s still a dynamic threat outside that could be a super No. 2 wideout or a low-end No. 1 target in an NFL passing offense. As Tyson and the rest of the Sun Devils’ players show out one last time before the NFL draft on their Pro Day, here are five teams that would be a great fit for Tyson:
Jordyn Tyson’s best NFL fits
Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels will hopefully be back fully healthy from injury in 2026 and the Commanders’ offense needs more juice on the outside to help maximize the unit overall. Washington has multiple needs beyond receiver and could realistically go running back at No. 7 overall if Jeremiyah Love is on the board but if not, Tyson could be a solid choice on offense.
He wouldn’t have to be the focal point of the passing game right away, thanks to Terry McLaurin’s presence, but could gradually build up his role. Tyson can reliably get separation which will come in handy for an offense that lacked that in 2025.
NFL DRAFT ODDS: Which team will draft Jeremiyah Love?
Miami Dolphins
Miami traded away its top wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle, and now has veterans Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert to lead the way at the position. Not exactly placing much confidence in the passing offense with Malik Willis.
Miami has pressing needs on defense and could opt to use some of its later draft capital on wide receivers. If they’d rather stay put at No. 11 overall and get a wide receiver, Tyson would be a great fit.
Unlike Tate, Tyson shouldered the load as the top receiving threat in an offense for years. Taking on a big role like that in the NFL wouldn’t be a huge adjustment mindset-wise. Atwell and Tolbert have the speed to add that layer to the offense under Bobby Slowik but aren’t reliable separators. Tyson could take on a lead role and bump them down to more supporting roles in the passing offense overall.
New York Jets
New York is one of multiple teams with two first-round picks. If Tyson falls due to some injury concerns, he could be a great value pick at No. 16 overall.
Garrett Wilson is hoping for a bounce-back year in 2026 with a new quarterback in Geno Smith. That could be easier with Tyson taking some of the attention away from him in the passing game. Again, Tyson’s ability to separate consistently could raise the floor of the offense with Smith at quarterback and not take away from Wilson’s role as the leading man. His injury history could be a concern at MetLife Stadium, considering the recent significant soft-tissue injuries there (Malik Nabers’ ACL, Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles), but that shouldn’t be enough for the team to rule out taking him with their second first-round selection.
NFL DRAFT TOP 30 VISITS: Alabama QB Ty Simpson set to visit Jets
Carolina Panthers
Carolina spent the majority of its free-agent money on bolstering the defense, which clears the path for offensive reinforcements to come via the draft. Tetairoa McMillan established himself as a clear No. 1 wide receiver with an outstanding rookie campaign. Finding him a running mate on the outside could take this Panthers’ passing offense up a notch.
McMillan is a big-bodied outside receiver who could free up Tyson to work either outside or in the slot alongside Xavier Legette or Jalen Coker. Two top targets like that would help the Panthers evaluate whether or not Bryce Young is the long-term answer at quarterback for the future. If so, Tyson could be another pillar of the passing game going forward. If not, the next quarterback will have plenty of solid weapons to throw to.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh used some of its draft capital to trade for Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts, giving the Steelers’ passing game a big-bodied possession receiver. That complements D.K. Metcalf’s speed on the outside but the Steelers could consider one more top investment for the passing game in Mike McCarthy’s first year as head coach. McCarthy’s best offenses in Dallas featured a potent passing offense built around CeeDee Lamb, a solid No. 2 option and good role players.
Tyson could rotate in the slot and give Aaron Rodgers (or whoever is playing quarterback in 2026 for Pittsburgh) a consistent separator. It’d allow him to work into a bigger role as both Metcalf and Pittman hit their age-29 seasons. Taking Tyson now could pay off for Pittsburgh’s next quarterback while helping their push in 2026.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jordyn Tyson landing spots: 5 NFL draft best fits for Arizona State WR
Continue reading...
