They know they need another dynamic wide receiver to support go-to target Terry McLaurin, and the Washington Commanders are prepared to consider all options, even a gifted member of the 2026 draft class whose “shaky injury history” prompted a stern warning from an NFL great.
The “Commanders are expected to have a ’30’ pre-draft visit with Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson, per source,” according to “Last Man Standig” podcast host Ben Standig.
He reported the planned visit on Monday, April 13, while Standig also noted “Some evaluators think Tyson is the most talented WR in the class but a shaky injury history could sideswipe his draft value. Range starts 6-8 and extends into the 20s.”
Using the seventh-overall pick to take a player undermined by legitimate injury concerns would be a major gamble by Commanders general manager Adam Peters.
The extent of the risk was spelled out in blunt terms by former five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro Steve Smith Sr.
NFL Great Trashes Jordyn Tyson’s Draft Stock
Speaking on the “89” podcast with James Palmer and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Smith pulled no punches when discussing Tyson’s credentials as a first-rounder. The ex-Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens stud asked, “why, if you won’t hire a free agent, somebody that is generally hurt all the time, why would you all of a sudden draft and invest four years or in the first round, five years of hopes, thoughts, and prayers that he would be able to now be durable? And it’s not his durability, isn’t just the hamstring stuff. ACL, PCL, MCL, all the L’s, right?”
Smith continued by stating Tyson has “got all the L’s, and then on top of it, you now have a soft tissue. Collarbone, which I take the collarbone out because a collarbone for a wide receiver, that’s just sometimes where you fall on it wrong. That isn’t necessarily your fault. That’s like a rolled ankle in basketball, you have no control over that. But when you put it all together, man that’s a laundry list of injuries. And the laundry list of injuries are telling me that when you get, if he’s having fender benders, we know it’s full-on crashes in the NFL every single play.”
That’s a strong argument from a voice of authority against Tyson representing genuine value in the opening round. Smith tallied eight 1,000-yard seasons during his prolific career, so he knows the importance of being available and on the field as often as possible.
Any concerns about Tyson’s availability would have to be weighed against his obvious upside. He’s an instinctive and gifted separator who transforms into something special once he gets the ball in his hands.
Like when the 21-year-old made this memorable play against Texas State. Plays like this are why some, including ESPN’s Louis Riddick, believe Tyson “has every single skill/trait you want in a #1 WR. As long as he is healthy and with a QB that doesn’t suck, he will be the best WR from the 2026 draft.”
Potential on this level is hard to ignore, particularly when the Commanders have yet to adequately reinforce their receiver room this offseason. Choosing instead to plunder the bargain bucket in free agency.
Commanders Can’t Fix Wide Receiver Problem On the Cheap
Peters knows there are still notable holes on the roster, including edge-rusher, safety, cornerback and running back. Yet, putting another quality wideout at the disposal of budding franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels is an underrated need.
There are worrying parallels between how Peters has approached the latter problem, and how the Commanders tried to strengthen a weak pass rush last offseason. Peters handed short-term and cost-effective deals to veteran receivers Van Jefferson and Dyami Brown, much like he did to edge defenders, journeyman Jacob Martin and ageing Von Miller a year ago.
Trying to fix a core team weakness on the cheap hardly worked, and the Commanders were forced to pay big money for Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson during the 2026 free agency cycle. Despite concerns about the ability of both to dominate the pass-pocket consistently.
Drafting a bluechip receiver early can avoid the mistakes of the past. Perhaps that’s why the Commanders have been hosting more than one skilled pass-catcher from this class.
Rebuilding the depth chart now makes sense when five-time 1,000-yard receiver McLaurin is 30, and Deebo Samuel is unlikely to return. Not taking a wideout with Tyson’s pro-level traits might be a bigger risk than overlooking his injury history.
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