Finally, opening week of the 2026 NFL season for the New Orleans Saints is here. The Saints play at the Detroit Lions this afternoon to kick off their campaign. Rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson will wear the No. 0 for New Orleans. It’s the number Tyson wore in college at Arizona State, as he’ll become only the fourth to wear 0 or 00 in Saints franchise history. Tyson is also the last Saints Player of the Day in our 2026 series.
- Name (age): Jordyn Tyson (22)
- Hometown: Allen, Texas
- Position: Wide receiver
- Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 203 pounds
- College: Arizona State Sun Devils
- Relative Athletic Score: N/A
- Drafted: Round 1, 8th overall in 2026 (Saints)
- NFL experience: Rookie
- 2026 salary cap hit: $5.91 million
A Texas high school superstar, Tyson started his collegiate career with the Colorado Buffaloes. As a freshman in 2022 he caught 22 passes for 470 yards and 4 scores and was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. However, he also missed the last three games with an ACL injury. After the 2022 campaign Tyson would transfer to Arizona State, but took a redshirt in 2023 because of the knee injuries.
In 2024, Tyson immediately emerged as the top receiver for the Sun Devils. He’d have 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn 1st Team All-Big 12 honors. However, a broken collarbone sidelined him for the conference championship and his team’s college football playoff run. Last season, hamstring injuries caused Tyson to miss four games. He’d still have 61 catches for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns, earning a second straight 1st Team All-Big 12 selection.
Needing help at wide receiver, the Saints selected Tyson with the eighth overall choice in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was the second receiver chosen after Carnell Tate of Ohio State, going fourth to the Tennessee Titans. Tyson is the ninth wideout ever drafted by the Saints in the first round and the third highest pick at the position. Only Wes Chandler, third in 1978, and Larry Burton, seventh in 1975, were higher picks.
Jordyn Tyson comes with a concerning injury history. Those concerns are increased for some as he begins his rookie year on injured reserve with a hamstring. However, Tyson also brings outstanding body control, good speed, reliable hands, and the ability to be a threat on all three levels from anywhere along the formation. His route precision was noticeably improved each season at Arizona State, as he comes to New Orleans with an incredibly high ceiling. Tyson is expected to be a valuable weapon for the Saints and has the abilities to become one of the league’s top receivers.