Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints were widely expected to target a quarterback. With uncertainty surrounding Derek Carr’s future, many believed Shedeur Sanders would be their guy. However, when the time came, the Saints surprised everyone by selecting Louisville’s Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick in the second round.
Following the draft, head coach Kellen Moore addressed the decision, clarifying that Sanders had been seriously considered. “He was right in those conversations,” Moore explained. “Shedeur is a really talented player. What he did at Colorado was impressive.” However, Moore emphasized that ultimately, the team needed to pick the player they felt best fit their system, and that player was Shough.
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Evaluating the quarterbacks
Statistically, Sanders had a stellar final season with Colorado. Throwing for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and completing 74.0% of his passes, Sanders turned the Buffaloes into serious contenders. Yet concerns over his tendency to take too many sacks and questions surrounding private interviews may have played a role in his slide down the draft board.
Meanwhile, Shough, though less hyped, proved to be a steady and reliable presence at Louisville. In his lone season with the Cardinals, he passed for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, maintaining a 62.7% completion rate. Despite being a bit older at 25, the Saints valued his maturity and overall fit with their offensive strategy.
Shedeur Sanders’ new journey in Cleveland
Although it was a longer wait than expected, Sanders finally heard his name called in the fifth round, selected by the Cleveland Browns at No. 144 overall. There, he joins a crowded quarterback room featuring Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who the Browns drafted earlier.
Despite entering the NFL as a day-three pick, Sanders remains confident and motivated. “This didn’t happen for no reason,” Sanders said after the draft. “It’s all fuel to the fire.” His road may be tougher than initially expected, but his talent gives him a real chance to eventually earn a starting role.
As for the Saints, they are betting that Shough’s steady hand and potential will anchor their offense for years to come, proving that in the NFL Draft, sometimes fit matters more than fame.
