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Rookie WR Compared to Justin Jefferson Right before Draft
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- Rookie WR Compared to Justin Jefferson Right before Draft
Matt Krohn
There’s an outside chance that the Minnesota Vikings draft a wide receiver on Thursday night, and according to SI.com ‘s Albert Breer’s reporting, if they pick Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson , they’ll have two Justin Jefferson s on the roster.
Tyson just picked up a heavyweight comp.
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Strangely, Tyson could be picked anywhere from No. 7 to No. 20 or so, but he’s basically guaranteed to hear his name called before the end of Round 1.
The Jefferson Comparison Is Driving Tyson’s Draft Buzz
Tyson fetches quite the comparison.
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) breaks into the open field after a reception, showing acceleration and balance as he turns upfield on Aug. 30, 2025, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe during a nonconference matchup against Northern Arizona that highlighted his ability to create yards after the catch. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Breen-Imagn Images.
Breer Article: Tyson Is Jefferson-Lite
Any rookie wideout will accept “Jefferson-lite” as an adjective, so when Breer rolled out that intel during draft week, folks’ heads turned.
He wrote , “Tyson’s superpower is that he’s a bigger guy, at 6’2 1/8″ and 203 pounds, who moves like a little guy — which had three different people I talked to comparing him, from a movement standpoint, to Justin Jefferson. ‘He’s Justin Jefferson Lite,” said one assistant GM. ‘He’s just not as good after the catch.'”
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“There are questions, though, on how tough he plays, and also relating to durability, after a torn ACL ended his freshman year at Colorado, a broken collarbone ended his first season at ASU, and hamstring issues plagued his final season in college. In other words, Tyson might have a better chance of becoming a No. 1 in the pros, while Tate is more of a known commodity, coming with less risk.”
If you’re wondering why Tyson isn’t a sure-thing Top 12 pick, Breer nailed it: the injury history is lengthy and concerning.
The Bio
Tyson had an impressive season last year, recording 61 catches for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns, establishing himself as a consistent offensive threat and a red-zone machine.
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Standing at 6’2″ and 205 pounds, he excels with smooth route-running, strong hands, and a knack for getting open, evidenced by his contested-catch rate. However, several red flags temper his profile: a significant injury history, a lack of elite speed, and his absence from both the Combine and Arizona State’s Pro Day.
The Athletic ‘s Dane Brugler on Tyson : “A two-year starter at Arizona State, Tyson lined up as the X receiver (74.7 of snaps aligned outside) in offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo’s scheme (former NFL receiver Hines Ward was his wide receivers coach at ASU). He was leading the Big 12 in almost every receiving category through eight weeks of the 2025 season before being sidelined by injury — he missed 34 percent of his teams’ games over the past four years because of various injuries.”
“Though he doesn’t have elite speed, Tyson is plenty fast, using quickness to avoid press and route acceleration to stress coverage. Despite having only average size and strength, he is competitive in a crowd and contorts his body to make “wow” catches. (He also lowered his drop rate from 8.5 percent in 2024 to 1.6 percent in ’25).”
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson steps onto the field during pregame introductions, focused as he prepares for kickoff on Sep. 19, 2021, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, with teammates finishing warmups ahead of an NFC matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in a controlled indoor setting. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.
Tyson’s draft placement really boils down to which team is willing to take the gamble on his vast injury history.
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Brugler added, “Loosey-goosey route steps get him in trouble at times, and savvy NFL corners will learn his tricks. Tyson’s injury history is concerning, but on the field, he is a sleek, twitched-up athlete who can create his own separation and win outside his frame at the catch point.”
“He projects as an NFL starter (inside or outside), with a skill set that reminds me of Stefon Diggs .”
The Contenders
Tyson’s talent is undeniable, and he’s a lock to fly off the board in Round 1. The day before the draft, these are his most likely landing spots:
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Washington Commanders (No. 7)
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New Orleans Saints (No. 8)
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Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9)
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New York Giants (No. 10)
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Miami Dolphins (No. 11)
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Los Angeles Rams (No. 13)
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New York Jets (No. 16)
The Ringer ‘s Todd McShay mock-drafted Tyson to the Chiefs on Wednesday, noting , “You still can’t rule out offensive tackle — Andy Reid wants this line solidified, and there’s a Spencer Fano connection with Andy from their Kyle Whittingham ties. But maybe KC trades up later in the round to land the other Utah tackle, Caleb Lomu.”
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In Play for the Vikings?
There’s a world, albeit far off, where Tyson ends up in Minnesota. After all, Jalen Nailor left in free agency, Jordan Addison’s behavior could take a turn for the worse at any time, and no one knows if last year’s rookie, Tai Felton , will amount to anything.
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) lines up and surveys the defense before the snap, preparing for his route on Oct. 18, 2025, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe as the Sun Devils hosted Texas Tech in a conference matchup that tested his consistency against physical coverage. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Wide receiver certainly isn’t a top need for the Vikings, but Tyson falling to No. 18 and Minnesota’s subsequent selection cannot be ruled out.
The Vikings have +6000 odds as of Thursday afternoon to draft him. He’ll turn 22 during training camp.
