Like the Titans, Browns, Giants, and Raiders, the New Orleans Saints are also facing a question mark at QB. Positioned at No.9, the Saints may not get their hands on blue chip QBs like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. But the one they are looking at could be a sleeping giant in this weak QB class. With Derek Carr’s future still in doubt, the Saints’ first-year head coach Kellen Moore may look towards a rookie QB who comes with 7 years of experience and a will to start right away under NFL lights.
A columnist for NOLA.com, Jeff Duncan, reported that Louisville QB Tyler Shough visited the Saints on Friday. Now, this could be just a formal visit to the Saints’ headquarters. As Shough falls under one of the top 30 visits teams are allowed to make before the NFL draft. But this could be more than just a formal trip to Louisiana. The Saints’ QB coach, Scott Tolzien, was present at Shough’s Pro Day in Louisville. Then, there’s also Saints assistant Jordan Traylor, who coached Shough at the Senior Bowl. So, it was definitely more than just a top-30 visit. It could be a premeditated draft plan the Saints are looking to pull to solve their QB woes.
Louisville QB Tyler Shough visited the Saints today. Someone who has a lot of buzz building around here. @JeffDuncan_ reported that first.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 11, 2025
As for Shough, he remains one of the most interesting prospects in this year’s QB class. Unlike other rookies who may have 4-5 years max of game film. Shough has 7 years of college footage under his belt. He threw his first pass at Oregon back in 2018. Then, he went to play for Texas Tech from 2021 to 2023. For his final stop, he chose to transfer to Louisville, where Shough finally managed to showcase his capabilities in the football realm. He racked up a career-high 3,195 yards with 23 TDs and just 6 INTs.
Now, those aren’t the numbers enough to make NFL teams droll on the prospect of adding Shough. However, he could be the quarterback who can easily come in and give Derek Carr a run for his spot. Whenever Shough had a clean pocket in college last year, he ranked 12th in EPA per dropback. But when pressured, his rank dropped to 49th. This could be a concern, as 4 of his 6 interceptions came when he was pressured. However, that can be worked upon once Shough finds a mentor like Moore in New Orleans.
What Moore did with the Eagles’ offense and Jalen Hurts last year is already there for everyone to bear witness. So, Shough could definitely be an above-average QB. However, how well he can grow once he lands in the NFL will define his ceiling. Now, the reason the Saints are even contemplating the choice of a QB trickles down to Derek Carr. An ominous update on his future has sent the Saints to the QB drawing board.
Derek Carr’s unclear NFL future pushes the Saints deep into the QB market
On April 12th, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport dropped a major breaking news, sending the Saints’ draft plans off the rails. “Starter Derek Carr is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for this season,” Rapoport reported. He also added that Carr is weighing up his option of whether to have surgery or not. After the Saints reworked his $150M contract that ties him to the franchise for at least another year, this news could come as a wrecking ball. Considering his backup Spencer Rattler went 0-6 last season, the Saints have to find a solution.
Picking a QB at No.9 was always going to be a tough ask. But right now, the Saints have to do what’s an absolute necessity. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders could be an option if the Browns, Giants and Raiders pass him on. But will those 3 really pass on a young signal-caller with no one in their QB room? Well, that could be impossible, but not completely. If not Sanders, the Saints could, of course, look at Ole Miss Jaxson Dart or Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. Dart threw for 4,279 passing yards for 29 TDs and just 6 INTs last year. He remains one of those QBs who has continued to rise on the NFL draft board.
Then, there’s Milroe, whose explosiveness speaks for itself. Having pulled comparisons with former Alabama alum Jalen Hurts, Milroe could blend in with Moore’s run-heavy offense. Banking on his 726 rushing yards and 20 scores on the ground, Milroe could be an instant hit in NOLA. Now it totally depends on the Saints, whom they would want to possibly replace Carr. Whoever it is, whether it’s Shough, Dart, Sanders, or Milroe, they are gonna have to bring their A-game. Otherwise, it would be hard to turn around the Saints’ fortunes that saw them finish with a record of 5-12 after scoring over 90 points in the first two games.
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