Stop me if you’ve heard this one: the Cowboys defense was bad in 2025.
There’s a reason Christian Parker is in charge now. The defense was atrocious, and even after some active moves in free agency and the trade block, the Cowboys have holes. They have plenty of bodies at cornerback now, but lack any surefire starters. They could use another edge rusher too, and it’s unclear who will fill the all-important nickel position. And, of course, linebacker is a massive question mark right now.
It’s no surprise
that mock drafts left and right have the team spending both first-round picks on defense. The likelihood is rather high that they’ll do exactly that. And yet, there’s one player who would absolutely be worth consideration if he’s still there at one of their picks.
Jordyn Tyson.
The Arizona State wide receiver was once considered the consensus top wideout in this draft, and his play this past year only backed it up. However, an injury that cut his season short – and apparently seems to still be lingering – has Tyson slipping down draft boards.
Originally committing to Colorado, Tyson was one of many players who fled Boulder in the wake of Deion Sanders’ disappointing first year on the job. He landed at Arizona State, where he and quarterback Sam Leavitt formed a quick bond.
In 2024, Tyson racked up 1,098 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 75 catches. He was 20th in the nation in yards after catch and seventh in yards per route run, putting him ahead of this past year’s first-round rookies Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuka.
And while his 2025 season saw him play in just nine games, his game got better. Tyson finished with 711 yards and eight touchdowns on 61 catches, averaging more yards after catch per reception and only slightly less yards per route run (though with considerably more usage per game).
At times, Tyson was the only receiver who could make plays for the Sun Devils, yet defenses struggled to take him out of the game; he had just two games with fewer than six catches, and one was the game in which he suffered his season-ening injury.
When on the field, Tyson was unstoppable. His route running improved considerably this past season, and Tyson created separation at ease.
However, he’s more than just a slippery route runner. His verticality and body control have helped him become an adept jump-ball receiver, too. Across his two years with the Sun Devils, Tyson caught 55.3% of his contested catch targets. For context, George Pickens caught 56.4% of his contested catch targets this past year.
The only hole in Tyson’s game is his injury history. His first year at Arizona State was limited while recovering from an ACL tear. He also suffered a collarbone injury that caused him to miss the College Football Playoff a year ago. And a hamstring injury ended his 2025 season, and it played a role in Tyson not testing at either the combine or his Pro Day.
That’s why Tyson may very well be on the board when the Cowboys pick. But why would the Cowboys take him when they have so many needs on defense? The reason is simple, and it takes just three words:
Team. Forty. Burger.
Of course, that refers to the campaign that preceded Dallas drafting CeeDee Lamb following an unexpected draft night slide despite months of rumblings that the Cowboys were looking to beef up their defense. Wide receiver was far from a need, with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup both coming off good years, but Lamb was arguably the top wideout in the draft and had somehow fallen into their lap.
Now, the Cowboys once again don’t need a wide receiver. Lamb is well-established as a top pass-catcher, and Pickens is coming off the best year of his career. But Tyson is the best receiver in this draft, health permitting, and he’d instantly give the Cowboys a top-three receiver room. Perhaps the very best receiver room.
That’s not to make any mention of the current contract status for Pickens. It sounds as if everyone wants the former Steeler to be around for the long haul, but until the deal gets done nothing is guaranteed beyond 2026. Getting a talent like Tyson on a cost-controlled basis for four years (with a fifth-year option to boot) would make for great insurance if a long-term deal doesn’t happen with Pickens.
But what about the defense?
Well, the Cowboys have two first-round picks, plus more in the latr rounds. The Cowboys are by no means set on defense, but their offseason moves have certainly given them a higher floor than they had a year ago. Rashan Gary is better than any EDGE they had last year, and the duo of Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick offer battle-tested options if either DaRon Bland or Shavon Revel struggle next year. Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke also come with built-in knowledge of Parker’s scheme.
All of this is to say that the Cowboys have done enough at this stage to put together a defense that can be just okay. The bar should be set higher than that, but a defense that’s just okay paired with an offense that’s melting faces left and right is a winning combination. Adding Tyson to this offense could very well produce that, which is why the Cowboys should consider Tyson if he slides on draft day.
Would you pull the trigger on a move like this?
