2025 NFL Draft: Insider explains why Tyler Shough was selected ahead of Shedeur Sanders

The New Orleans Saints selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round (No. 40 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft ahead of Shedeur Sanders, and an NFL insider explained why. Josina Anderson recently spoke to a league source and asked why the Saints made the move.

“He’s talented,” the source told Anderson shortly after the selection. “Did well in the interview process, & the film was good.”

Shedeur Sanders was projected to be as high as a top-10 pick but continues to fall in the draft. He had a good attitude after not being drafted in the first round, but that could change if he doesn’t get selected soon.

Tyler Shough has had an interesting journey to the NFL. Last year was the only one that played with the Cardinals after also playing at Oregon and Texas Tech in his college career. He had the best season of his career by far.

Part of that was due to the fact that the 2024 season marked the first time in his career that Shough had played in more than seven games, as he appeared in 12. He finished with 3,195 yards passing and a 62.7% completion percentage along with 23 touchdowns to six interceptions.

Shough played high school football at Chandler (AZ), where he was a four-star prospect. He ranked as the No. 122 overall player and No. 12 quarterback in the 2018 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Why Tyler Shough was selected in the second round

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein provided some further analysis of Shough’s game in his recent scout of the quarterback’s draft profile. He touched on his injury issues but also noted the arm talent and accuracy that has caught the eyes of scouts.

“Pocket passer with a seven-year college career prompted by three consecutive years of injuries while at Texas Tech,” Zierlein wrote. “Shough will turn 26 in September, was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and backed up Justin Herbert at Oregon. He’s a talented passer with a live arm who is capable of making pro throws both intermediate and deep but battles inconsistency.

“He plays with good field vision, using his eyes to hold defenders and set up his throwing windows. Shough is confident and accurate when protected, but will flinch when pressure mounts, leading to spotty decision-making and big sacks. His size and passing talent will be enticing, but durability and mobility concerns are impediments he will need to overcome.”