Tyler Shough

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Tyler Shough is poised to be an intriguing figure in the fantasy football landscape, particularly with the New Orleans Saints. Drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Shough has a genuine chance to start for the Saints in Week 1, given the retirement of Derek Carr and the competition from Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

Shough's profile is that of a late bloomer but one with significant potential. In his final college season with Louisville, he demonstrated impressive skills, throwing for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns. He is known for his strong arm, velocity, and accuracy, especially in the short to intermediate levels of the field. Additionally, his athleticism allows him to perform well both in and out of the pocket, though he is more comfortable when stationary.

Despite his strengths, there are some concerns regarding Shough's fantasy impact. His accuracy under pressure is a notable weakness; he has one of the worst completion rates against Power-5 opponents and when faced with blitzes. However, when kept clean, Shough has shown solid performance, which suggests that with the right protection, he could thrive.

In terms of fantasy value, Shough is considered a sleeper pick, especially given the Saints' favorable quarterback fantasy strength of schedule and their above-average receiving arsenal, including Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks. Alvin Kamara's presence in the receiving game also adds to Shough's potential for racking up passing yards. While it's wise to approach with caution due to the uncertainty around the starting quarterback role, if Shough secures the starter position, he could be a high-upside mid to late-round pick in fantasy drafts.

Updated 06/28/2025