ClutchPoints
Cam Ward was the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Shedeur Sanders was expected to be selected soon thereafter, but he ended up enduring one of the wildest draft day falls in NFL history. Even so, he is still an incredibly popular and hyped-up rookie quarterback, and he has been starting for the Cleveland Browns in recent weeks. Jaxson Dart was also a first-round selection at the quarterback position. Yet, many were surprised when it was Tyler Shough who was the third quarterback to hear his name called on draft day.
The New Orleans Saints made Shough the 40th overall selection. He didn’t begin the season as New Orleans’ starter, but since being handed the reins, he has been pretty impressive. Shough has arguably been the best rookie quarterback so far and has earned the right to be the Saints’ franchise signal caller going forward in the process. Despite Shough’s early success, his claim as QB1 from the 2025 NFL Draft class won’t last.
Shough started his rookie season on the bench, learning behind second-year passer Spencer Rattler. Rattler actually performed better than many expected, but the Saints remained one of the worst teams in the NFL. So, they gave their rookie a shot. Shough made his first career start during New Orleans’ Week 9 matchup.
He has given the Saints newfound hope ever since then. The Louisville product is 4-3 as a starter, and he has the Saints on a three-game winning streak. Shough has 1,792 yards and seven touchdowns through the air in limited time this season. He is a threat with his legs, too, evidenced by his two rushing touchdowns.
Had Shough been the starter from day one, and if he put up similar numbers from the get-go that he has been as of recent, he’d actually be one of the better statistical producers in the entire NFL. Shough has solid arm strength and the ability to make big plays, and he has seemingly cut down on the erraticness and dumb decisions that plagued him in college.
This success has come despite the fact that Alvin Kamara has missed much of Shough’s starting stint with injuries. Defenses haven’t had to focus on the Saints’ running attack as much as normal, yet Shough is still finding success. Furthermore, the Saints traded one of Shough’s top receiving weapons, Rashid Shaheed, not long after he took over as the starter. With more help around him in the years to come, Shough could establish himself as a solid NFL quarterbacking option.
While Shough has found some success, especially as of late, first overall pick Ward has struggled mightily during his first season. Some are already prematurely giving him the bust label. Sanders and Dart have had their own struggles, too.
Sanders started the season as the third stringer and has been up and down since finally becoming the...
