As the Kansas City Chiefs have lost a lot of key defensive players over the last six weeks or so, many are expecting them to go that route when they go on the clock for the first of their two opening-round picks at the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 9 overall.
Naturally, after trading away Trent McDuffie and then losing Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook in free agency, the secondary could unquestionably use some replenishment. But getting another edge rusher to play opposite George Karlaftis could be in the cards as well.
But a defensive player is certainly no guarantee, as there's been plenty of talk about the Chiefs adding another wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes, as the trio of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton really isn't the most menacing in the league at this point.
One of the names mentioned often is Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, who many believe is the best wideout in this entire draft, and Mel Kiper even has the Chiefs taking him in his latest mock. Now, one of the big concerns about Tyson is that he's been a bit prone to injury. And that can't be ignored. But some have also called his toughness into question, and his wide receivers coach with the Sun Devils, who just happens to be former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, isn't having it.
Hines Ward does not like the narrative surrounding Jordyn Tyson's toughness
Ward, who joined the ASU coaching staff ahead of the 2024 collegiate campaign, recently spoke with the media and had zero problem sounding off on the narrative that Tyson isn't tough, using the story of how the 6-foot-2, 203-pounder fought through a hamstring injury to finish his final college game.
"I chuckle sometimes because they try to write the narrative he's not physical ... One thing about the NFL is a business," Ward said. "Anything they could do to get you at a cheaper rate, they're going to do it ... I can guarantee they'd love to draft you as cheap as possible.
"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."
You just feel like Ward should've finished things off in Forrest Gump-like fashion with, "And that's all I have to say about that."
Again, though, even if the toughness isn't an issue, the injuries have to be, as Tyson missed time in each of his four college seasons between Colorado and ASU. When healthy, though, his talent is undeniable, as he's a solid route runner with great hands who has elite short-area quickness.
Adding a more physical wideout to a group of speedsters would undoubtedly benefit the Chiefs, but we'll just have to wait and see if the injury concerns are too much to overcome if Tyson is available when they go on the clock.
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