The Dallas Cowboys have been here before, in 2020, when they held the No. 17 overall pick in the 1st round of the NFL draft and found themselves with an opportunity to draft the No. 6 player on their big board.
The Cowboys leapt at the opportunity to take Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and have reaped the benefits ever since, as he’s been 1 of the NFL’s elite players at his position.
In 2026, even with desperate needs on the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys could find themselves in a similar situation with the No. 12 overall pick, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.
“Almost all of the mock draft focus on the Cowboys has been about the defense and deservedly so,” Archer wrote on Tuessday. “Throughout the offseason, however, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said helping the offense is not out of the question. If the top defensive players are gone by the time the Cowboys pick at No. 12, then they could be staring at the highest-graded prospect on their board being an offensive player, such as wide receivers Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State). In 2020, receiver CeeDee Lamb was sixth on the Cowboys’ board and was available at No. 17. It was a blinking-light situation. While this scenario wouldn’t be quite as big a difference, for those who believe you always take the best player regardless of need, don’t rule out an offensive selection if Dallas doesn’t trade that pick.”
Tyson Looked at as ‘Franchise Wide Receiver’
Tyson getting drafted in the first round would represent a rare piece of sports history as his older brother, Jaylon Tyson, was a 1st round pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2024 NBA draft.
It could also represent the Cowboys making it clear they want to trade NFL All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens to a team willing to meet his contract demands, which might get them a much-needed defensive starter in return.
“Jordyn Tyson is going to be a franchise WR,” NFL draft analyst Ethan Kreager wrote on his official X account. “Tyson’s physical traits and route running make him a threat at all 3 levels: Excellent Deep Ball Tracking, Sharp Route Running, Strong Production History.”
Incredible Numbers Starring for Arizona State
Tyson, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, played for Colorado as a freshman, then transferred to Arizona State but only played 3 games in 2023 due to a knee injury.
Tyson bounced back with a breakout season in 2024 guided by Arizona State wide receivers coach and former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, racking up 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. He followed that up with 61 receptions for 711 yards and 9 touchdowns in just 9 games in 2025.
That Tyson’s draft stock has seemed to soar as of late likely means he’ll be long gone by the time the Cowboys pick at No. 12 overall.
“Learning from Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward helped unlock Tyson’s production and elevated his draft stock,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s added size and improved his route running over the last two years, showing he can align at all three receiver spots … The wiring, versatility and finishing talent point to a WR1 ceiling.”
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