MOCK DRAFT: Saints Draft Jordyn Tyson to Pair with Tyler Shough in Offensive Overhaul
METAIRIE, La. – As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the New Orleans Saints’ blueprint is coming into focus. After a season of transition that saw the emergence of quarterback Tyler Shough, the franchise is signaling a clear shift: it is time to build a juggernaut around their young signal-caller.
With the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Saints are poised to add the most dominant wide receiver available in a deep class. According to league insiders and the latest mock drafts, the name at the top of New Orleans’ wish list is Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson—a receiver who scouts are calling the most complete offensive weapon in the draft .
For a Saints team that traded away deep threat Rashid Shaheed and watched its receiving corps thin out behind Chris Olave, adding a player of Tyson’s caliber isn’t just a luxury; it is a necessity to ensure the success of the Shough era.
The Shough Effect: Why the Offense Runs Through No. 9
Just one year ago, the Saints’ quarterback room was a question mark. Spencer Rattler began the season as the starter, but after a 1-7 start, the torch was passed to Tyler Shough. The second-round pick out of Louisville didn’t just take the reins; he ran with them. Shough finished his rookie campaign with a 5-4 record as a starter, throwing for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and adding 186 yards on the ground .
“He’s real. He’s authentic. He’s a phenomenal person and phenomenal player,” Saints head coach Kellen Moore said of Shough during the NFL Combine, reflecting on the pre-draft process that convinced New Orleans he was the future .
Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan noted Shough’s rapid progression throughout 2025. “Every game he got even better… He showed us in the Atlanta Falcons game, he threw an interception and I was like ‘Dang, he might get rattled.’ No, no, no. The next drive, drived on down,” Jordan observed .
Now, armed with a quarterback who has the locker room’s trust, General Manager Mickey Loomis and Coach Moore are shifting into “win-now” mode. The front office was aggressive in free agency, adding running back Travis Etienne Jr. (4-years, $52 million), guard David Edwards, and tight end Noah Fant to patch holes . Yet, the most glaring hole remains opposite Chris Olave.
The WR1 Target: Why Jordyn Tyson Fits
When the Saints look at the 2026 wide receiver class, they see a variety of skill sets. There is the technician, Carnell Tate from Ohio State, and the physical freak, Denzel Boston from Washington . But Jordyn Tyson represents the complete package.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pound Sun Devil has drawn comparisons to Odell Beckham Jr. for his explosive separation and acrobatic body control . After transferring to Arizona State, Tyson refined his game to a razor’s edge. Most impressively, he slashed his drop rate from 8.4% in 2024 to just 1.6% in 2025, hauling in 17 of 31 contested catch opportunities over those two years .
“I think he’s the most talented receiver in this draft,” said Connor Rogers of Yahoo Sports. “He doesn’t have the ridiculous speed of some past prospects, but his movements are elite. He uses his frame to power through contact and plucks the ball away from his body naturally” .
For Kellen Moore, who wants to build an “NBA starting five” style of receiving corps where different body types create mismatches, Tyson is the ideal pick . Pairing the smooth, route-running of Chris Olave with the explosive, physical dominance of Tyson gives Shough two legitimate outside weapons.
“The makeup of the Saints wideouts is more about potential than experience,” ESPN’s Katherine Terrell noted recently. “It would make sense for the Saints to look at this position in the draft as Moore molds the offense to his vision” .
Building Around Shough: The Offensive Identity
Selecting a wide receiver at No. 8 is just the first domino. The Saints have eight total picks in the draft (Nos. 8, 42, 73, 132, 136, 150, 172, 190), and the strategy appears to be about out-scoring opponents while Shough is still on his affordable rookie deal .
The backfield is already loaded with the veteran savvy of Alvin Kamara and the home-run speed of newly acquired Travis Etienne Jr. . With Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant at tight end, the Saints have the check-down options. What they lacked in 2025 was the vertical threat to keep safeties honest—a role Tyson would fill immediately.
There is also the matter of chemistry. While the Saints will likely target Tyson at No. 8, there is a sentimental connection to another wideout in this class: Louisville’s Chris Bell. Bell, a muscular “freight train” of a receiver who is recovering from a torn ACL, recently revealed that he has been lobbying to join the Saints with the help of an old friend.
“He told me that he wants me so bad that he’s been pushing my name,” Bell said of Shough, his former Louisville teammate . While Bell is projected as a mid-round target due to his injury, his relationship with the quarterback highlights how the Saints are leaning on Shough’s input to build this roster .
Full Mock Draft: The New Orleans Offense
As the draft simulation unfolds, the Saints stick to the offensive script early and often.
Round 1, Pick 8: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The pick is in. Tyson is the most dominant receiver on the board. He immediately steps in as the WR2, with the potential to become the WR1 by mid-season. His ability to win 50-50 balls makes Shough’s deep ball even more dangerous.
Round 2, Pick 42: Best Defensive Lineman Available
With the offense addressed, New Orleans turns its attention to replacing the aging Cameron Jordan (still a free agent) and supporting Chase Young. The Saints invested heavily in offense in free agency, but they need a young pass rusher to pair with their veteran rotation .
Round 3, Pick 73: IOL Depth / Future Center
While the offensive line starters are set with Taliese Fuaga and David Edwards, Erik McCoy isn’t getting younger. The Saints need a physical presence inside to keep Shough upright in the dirty pocket.
Late Rounds (4-7): Linebacker and Secondary Depth
With Demario Davis gone, the Saints need to rebuild the leadership core of the defense. Expect swings at linebacker and cornerback to round out the class.
The Verdict: A New Era in the Bayou
The 2026 NFL Draft represents a philosophical shift for the Saints. For years, New Orleans was known for kicking the salary cap can down the road to keep veteran rosters together. Now, with Tyler Shough as the centerpiece and a cadre of young weapons surrounding him—including a potential star in Jordyn Tyson—the Saints are building something sustainable.
Kellen Moore, an offensive savant, finally has the tools to run his system without restriction. If Shough takes the expected leap in Year 2, and if Tyson plays up to his Odell Beckham Jr. comps, the NFC South may soon run through New Orleans once again.
The countdown to Pittsburgh is on, and the Saints are holding the blueprint to a high-octane future.
