Tyler Shough vs Shedeur Sanders: Why Saints passed on Deion Sanders’ son on day 2

After a disappointing day 1 of the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders suffered another blow on day 2, too. The New Orleans Saints selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick in the second round ahead of the Colorado star and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.

New Orleans Saints chose Tyler Shough over Shedeur Sanders at the NFL Draft

This decision sparked debate among fans, especially since the hype around Sanders and the Saints’ urgent need for a long-term quarterback solution amid Derek Carr’s shoulder injury.

Read More: Shedeur Sanders to get drafted on Day 2? Here are Colorado QB’s potential landing spots

Why the New Orleans Saints went with Tyler Shough

Tyler Shough, a 26-year-old, 6-foot-5, 219-pound quarterback, was an outright pick for the Saints. His 2024 season at Louisville, his first injury-free campaign, showcased the quarterback’s potential. He threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions, completing 62.7% of his passes. His arm strength, described as a “cannon,” and ability to make quick decisions impressed scouts. The Athletic noted that Shough’s athleticism and prototypical size made him a “plug-and-play” option, capable of starting Week 1 if Carr remains sidelined.

Despite being nearly 26, Shough’s seven-year college career, yielding two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s, can give him a maturity advantage.

Read More: Shedeur Sanders NFL draft row: What happened on day 1 and why was Colorado QB snubbed?

Why not Shedeur Sanders?

Shedeur Sanders, once projected as a top-10 pick, experienced a dramatic slide out of the first round and remained available on Day 2. Despite his impressive 2024 stats—4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 73.4% completion rate—several factors led the Saints to pass on him at No. 40:

NFL coaches and executives have reportedly consistently rated Sanders’ talent below expectations. Ten personnel polled on draft night expressed no surprise at his first-round absence, citing his tape as lacking compared to other 2025 quarterbacks like Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart.

His 42 sacks in 2024 raised concerns about his pocket presence, particularly behind the Saints’ “work-in-progress” offensive line.