Saints select Louisville QB Tyler Shough in second round

By Ross Jackson 

METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints have made their second selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. After bolstering their offensive line in round one, they shifted focus to who he will be protecting.

The Saints selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the No. 40 overall selection. Giving head coach Kellen Moore his next quarterback, though he will likely keep last year’s second-round pick Spencer Rattler in the conversation.

Shough was a late riser for the Saints and has been considered the most “pro-ready” quarterback in the draft by some. However, his age (he’ll be 26 years old when the season begins), injury history and poise under pressure have all been raised as concerns.

If New Orleans can get the most out of the young passer, despite those concerns, he could be an excellent long-term option for the team. He has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 219 pounds. He also has an NFL arm that can get the ball down the field in a hurry. He has athleticism for which he is rarely credited with his 4.63 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and has the leadership qualities the Saints covet.

Shough threw for 3,195 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2024 while completing 62.7% of his passes.

He will immediately be viewed as the frontrunner inside the facility to be the Saints’ future quarterback as the decision to be made around presumed starter Derek Carr continues to loom.

The Saints have two more selections on tap for day two, both in the third round. They hold the No. 71 and No. 93 picks before day two comes to a close.