While it is an “open competition” for the starting quarterback job, rookie Tyler Shough is the clear favorite, as the New Orleans Saints spent a second-round pick on the 25-year-old. Hand-chosen by new head coach and play-caller Kellen Moore, Shough has a clear advantage over the QBs on the roster, like Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener. The Derek Carr retirement news that hit over the weekend affects the Saints fantasy players like Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Brandin Cooks, Juwan Johnson, Rashid Shaheed, and Taysom Hill.
But the optimistic part about Shough vs. Carr is that he is more mobile, has a live arm and good size at the position, and has enough college experience to be thrown in the fire right away. However, there are concerning things about his profile, including his injury history and accuracy inconsistency. Can Moore tap into his hypothetical potential in his first season with New Orleans to make him a potential rookie fantasy sleeper? Or will he be another “Will Levis” type prospect and flame out after a year?
Tyler Shough College Stats
Due to multiple season-ending injuries, Shough was at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville for seven seasons with a redshirt year. In his final season, he did stay healthy for 12 games and had a career season with 3,195 yards, 26 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The 6’5″ and 219 lbs senior signal-caller was not involved as a rusher in 2024 but had some stretches of games where Shough used his legs more at Oregon and Texas Tech.
With a great offensive mind in Moore now with New Orleans, whoever the starting quarterback is could benefit from the scheme, despite the lack of weapons in comparison to other teams. However, it should be a good gamble to make to go with the rookie, with Carr and the combo of both Haener/ Rattler struggling last season with the Saints. It is hard to judge Haener and Rattler, though, due to some of their top pass catchers/ starters being out as well when they have played.
Tyler Shough 2025 Fantasy Outlook
According to Fantasy Pros, he is being drafted 36th at quarterback, which is before a few starting quarterbacks. This should adjust closer to training camp once Shough wins the starting job, assuming someone like a veteran in Aaron Rodgers doesn’t sign there. That is a caveat, as this will be a camp battle to watch throughout the summer. But already in rookie mini-camp, Shough had an “Oh My God” moment, according to Saints reporter Nick Underhill.
At least on paper, with players coming back from injury on offense, this should be a different type of offense with Moore compared to Klint Kubiak, who had a hot start but flamed out fast in 2024. Interestingly enough, the new offensive coordinator is Doug Nussmeier, whose son is the LSU starting quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, who might be a top draft target next year. Many thought he would’ve entered this past draft, but for Shough, this could already be a prove-it year for the rookie.
Final Thoughts
While Shough likely won’t be drafted even as a backup fantasy quarterback in redraft, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is a solid waiver wire option for a bye week. Especially if Moore and the Saints offense can unlock his running ability as a dual-threat, that would inflate his fantasy value. Injury concerns are attached to that, but if Shough could repeat 2024 with more rushing mixed in, that could make him interesting as a redraft pickup.
New Orleans does have a solid receiving back and check-down option for Shough in Kamara, a good tight end in Johnson, and two deep threat weapons with Shaheed and Olave. Along with veteran Cooks and a hybrid weapon in Hill, the Saints’ offense in general, despite losing veteran Carr, could be more interesting to watch at the very least, if the rookie quarterback does get the start for 2025.
