The New Orleans Saints made a bold move in the first round of this year's draft, selecting Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. And if you're wondering what he brings to the Big Easy, we've got the inside scoop from someone who watched him up close all season long.
Tyson was the engine that drove the Sun Devils' offense, making plays that went far beyond the stat sheet. He's not just a guy who catches passes—he's a competitor who elevates everyone around him. Now, as he gears up for his first Saints minicamp this weekend, fans are eager to see how his game translates to the NFL.
We reached out to Jess Root over at Cards Wire, a longtime Arizona State season ticket holder, to get the real story on what New Orleans is getting. "Saints fans are going to love Tyson," Root said. "There is really nothing he can't do. While he doesn't have elite speed, he will outrun many. His route-running is amazing. He has great hands. He has size. He is tough. And while durability is a concern, toughness is not. After he hurt his hamstring against Texas Tech, he finished the game and made the critical touchdown catch."
That Texas Tech game is a perfect snapshot of Tyson's grit. The Red Raiders came in undefeated at 6-0 and ranked No. 7 in the nation—a powerhouse poised to roll over Arizona State. But Tyson wasn't having it. Despite a painful hamstring injury, he hauled in a 2-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter to push the Sun Devils' lead to 16-7. And if you rewatch the highlights, you'll see him doing the dirty work too: throwing a key block on the edge for running back Raleek Brown's game-sealing touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. He finished with 10 catches for 105 yards and a score, but his impact was felt in every phase.
That kind of all-around effort—playing through pain, making clutch catches, and blocking like a sixth offensive lineman—is exactly what Saints fans will love seeing on Sundays this fall. Tyson may be a rookie, but he's already shown he's ready to do whatever it takes to win.