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Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels both played college at Arizona State.

The Washington Commanders are in a great position heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. After an offseason where general manager Adam Peters and the front office spent nearly $253 million in free agency, they have addressed most of the team’s most pressing roster needs.

These moves allow the Commanders flexibility with their seventh overall pick in the first round of the draft. While there are many routes they could go, locating a strong receiving option behind Terry McLaurin has been a priority. Of all the top prospects at the position, the Commanders recently attended a personal workout of perhaps the most polarizing of the group.

The Commanders were just one of over 20 NFL teams watching Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson’s personal workout, according to Jordan Schultz. 

GettyJordyn Tyson has recorded 136 catches for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns across 21 games played with Arizona State.

Tyson is perhaps the draft’s most electric prospect, who has been compared to Seattle Seahawks superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But unfortunately, he has also endured a string of injuries that have thrown his draft stock into a frenzy. There are mock drafts that have him selected in the top five, and some that have him falling into the late 20’s. 

GettyWide receiver Jordyn Tyson has missed 18 games over four college seasons. He dealt with a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL from 2022 to 2023, a fractured collarbone in 2024, and a hamstring injury in 2025.

Sitting at number seven, Washington can bank on a handful of safe targets being available at the time of their selection. But with how they’ve managed their roster this offseason, do they decide to swing for the upside pick and take a risk on Tyson?

Jordyn Tyson Was Impressed By The Commanders

Tyson did not participate in drills at the NFL Scouting Combine due to a lingering hamstring injury, but he did attend the event to meet with the teams. 

When asked by NFL Insider Josina Anderson about which team interviews stood out, Tyson stated, “I don’t know if I’m supposed to say this, but, to be honest, the Commanders. The format they had, the way they did it, kudos to them to be honest with you…They were just pulling up pictures and what have you, and what it means to you and stuff like that. And then the receiver coach had another picture and walk through it with us and stuff like that. So, just the format of it, so kudos to them.”

Tyson’s decision to sit out the combine and his pro day have fueled a massive misnomer about him.

Hines Ward Clears Up False Narrative About Jordyn Tyson

It is understandable that when a player misses a significant portion of games, people will question how badly the player really wants to play. Tyson’s competitive nature and physicality have been thrown into question.

Arizona State wide receivers coach and former NFL star Hines Ward attempted to put this false narrative to bed. In an interview with Devils Digest, Ward laughed off false claims questioning Tyson’s toughness. “I chuckle sometimes because they try to write the narrative he’s not physical.”

Ward goes on to reference Tyson’s performance against Texas Tech earlier in the season, where he played through a blown hamstring. “When he popped it [hamstring] in the third quarter, I tried to pull him out. A lot of scouts didn’t know the story … He said, ‘Coach, I love my brothers … if this is gonna be my last game, I want to do all I can … He single handedly on that last drive led us down all the way and helped us win the game … People questioning JT’s toughness, I just laugh at it.”

GettyArizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson caught 10 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown against the number two-ranked Texas Tech defense in terms of opponent yards per game allowed.

Tyson’s decision to make teams wait to witness his talent in person was controversial, but perhaps he just wanted to ensure he put his best foot forward. With the draft only six days away, this close look at Tyson in person could be the factor that leads to the Commanders’ ultimate decision in the first round.