The New Orleans Saints chosen the third quarterback of the 2025 NFL Draft, and it wasn’t who most anticipated.
The group chosen Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough at No. 40, additionally the age he can be in 14 years.
Shough, who will flip 26 on Sept. 28, is strictly one yr older than Saints 2024 fifth-round decide quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Of the 2024 season’s 32 Week 1 beginning quarterbacks, Shough is older than eight, together with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who’s negotiating his second NFL contract.
Shough can be eight days older than Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the 2021 NFL Draft’s No. 1 total decide.
Shough can be older than Anthony Richardson, Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Bryce Younger, Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud.
Whereas the Saints wanted so as to add a quarterback with Derek Carr (eight years older than Shough, in case you had been questioning) unsure for Week 1 due to a shoulder harm, Shough would not encourage a lot confidence.
It is tougher to fathom contemplating Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was additionally accessible.
Shough has a troubling harm historical past. He broke his collarbone in 2021 and 2022 and his fibula in 2023, which restricted him to fifteen video games over these three seasons.
Throughout his seven-year collegiate profession, Shough appeared in 42 video games, going 599-of-951 (63 p.c) for 7,820 yards (8.2 yards per try), 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
He is a artistic thrower, able to making gorgeous performs off-script, reminiscent of this landing toss in opposition to Notre Dame, which ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes shared.
Shough, who’s right-handed, rolled out to his left, turned his hips and flicked the ball to his receiver behind the tip zone.
Earlier than the draft, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller spoke with WGNO-New Orleans’ Richie Mills about Shough, and Miller shared a constructive evaluation.
“He’s the one quarterback on this class, after Cam Ward, that provides you professional instruments,” Miller stated. “He has an enormous arm, he has fairly good mobility … sufficient to the place he can transfer round within the pocket,” he added earlier than addressing Shough’s age.
“It is loads just like the Bo Nix dialog final yr,” Miller continued.
Nix entered final yr’s draft at 24 years previous and was a five-year faculty starter. He excelled with the Broncos after being chosen No. 12 total in final yr’s draft, finishing 66.3 p.c of his move makes an attempt for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and guiding the Broncos to the postseason for the primary time since 2015.
If Shough has that sort of fast success, the Saints will appear to be geniuses. However Shough’s age may even give him a shorter grace interval. Most drafted quarterbacks aren’t completed merchandise after they’re taken, permitting them time to develop.
If Carr can’t play, Shough will seemingly open the 2025 season as New Orleans’ starter, contemplating first-year head coach Kellen Moore actually had enter within the decide.
Even within the best-case situation the place Shough turns into a reliable franchise quarterback, he’ll be 30 when he is due for a second contract. Most quarterbacks are out of their prime by the point they attain their late 30s, giving Shough a shorter window than most draft prospects to capitalize on his alternative.
As a lot as New Orleans wanted a quarterback, Shough’s age and harm historical past increase reliable issues about him being a long-term resolution.
