Even though the 2025 season has not even started, ESPN is already looking ahead.
The New England Patriots spent considerable resources at wide receiver over the last two offseasons, including using second- and third-round draft picks on Ja’Lynn Polk and Kyle Williams. They might not be done either, if a new 2026 NFL mock draft by ESPN turns out to be accurate.
In that way-too-early scenario, the Patriots pick Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall.
8. New England Patriots
Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State*
Upside is intriguing when devising summer mock drafts, and Tyson has the potential to rise into the top 10. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he reminds me of Jaxon Smith-Njigba with his route-running ability and poise in space while effortlessly moving through a route tree. Tyson broke out in 2024, catching 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. But drops are a problem, with eight coming on 114 targets. If he cleans that up, Tyson has the speed and route technique to be a top-10 pick and a prime target for young Patriots QB Drake Maye, who has shown franchise potential.
If a first-round wide receiver from Arizona State sounds familiar, it’s because it is: 2019 first-rounder N’Keal Harry also played for the Sun Devils before becoming one of the biggest busts in recent team history. Whether or not Tyson is headed down that same path cannot be said at this point — and neither if he will even be in the first-round conversation come the 2026 draft.