Saints draft QB Tyler Shough as Shedeur Sanders' wait continues
Fri Apr 25 10:19pm ET
Field Level Media
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- There was only one quarterback taken in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday, and it wasn't Shedeur Sanders.
While Sanders' draft stock continued to plummet, the New Orleans Saints took Louisville's Tyler Shough at No. 40 overall. The 25-year-old Shough, whose career has been plagued by injuries, spent seven seasons in college. He played three years at Oregon, then three at Texas Tech.
Shough stayed healthy with the Cardinals last season, passing for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns with six interceptions.
"I've obviously been around and seen a lot of ball and started a lot of games, but getting a full season and being able to showcase what I can do was my main goal," Shough said, after he was drafted, of the opportunity at Louisville.
Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr has a shoulder injury and his status is uncertain. Backup Spencer Rattler threw for 1,317 yards last season in seven games but went 0-6 as a starter.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward was first overall pick by the Tennessee Titans and Old Miss QB Jaxson Dart was the only other signal-caller selected in the first round, going to the New York Giants at No. 25.
Defensive linemen were the focal point in the second round, with nine taken. There also were five defensive backs and five offensive linemen selected. Three running backs were taken, including Ohio State's national championship tandem of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.
The Cleveland Browns had two of the first five picks in the second round. They moved to further bolster their defense, taking UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger with the first pick of the second round after selecting Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick on Thursday.
Judkins was the first running back taken in the second round, going to Cleveland at No. 36. Judkins ran for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns last season after transferring from Ole Miss.
Henderson was tabbed two picks later by the New England Patriots. He ran for 3,761 yards and 42 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Buckeyes, and he also had 77 receptions.
Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins was the second pick in the second round, chosen by the Houston Texans. Higgins had 87 receptions for 1,183 yards with nine touchdowns last season.
The Chicago Bears tabbed Missouri's Luther Burden III at No. 39. Burden was considered a possible first-round pick after his junior season in 2023, when he had 86 catches for 1,212 yards, but his numbers dropped to 61 receptions for 676 yards last year.
The other two wideouts taken in the second round: Ole Miss's Tre Harris went to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 55, and TCU's Jake Bech was chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 58.
LSU tight end Mason Taylor, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, was taken with the 42nd pick by the New York Jets.
--Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media
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The Paur Report
The Minnesota Vikings have selected Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton with the 102nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This selection represented the final pick of the third round and officially marked the end of Day 2. Felton developed into a talented draft prospect over four seasons at Maryland, culminating with a senior campaign in which he caught 96 passes for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns. Minnesota already has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading its wide receiver room, so Felton will merely offer valuable depth. He's a solid developmental piece who could ultimately compete with Jalen Nailor and Rondale Moore for the No. 3 receiver role.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Denver Broncos drafted Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: This was about a round or two earlier than expected, so Bryant is likely going to move up into the late third round of rookie drafts as a result. He's a great goal line player and solid athlete, but he's going to need to refine his skills to be more than just a specialist for the Broncos.
Dynasty | The Houston Texans drafted Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel in the third round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: It's a very interesting pick as the Texans also took his teammate, Jayden Higgins in the second round. Noel will likely play the slot but it's hard to see immediate production with Higgins, Nico Collins and a soon-to-return Tank Dell in the mix. This has the looks of a pick that's better in reality than fantasy and Noel's draft stock is going to fall a touch after the draft now.
Dynasty | The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Most connected him to Pittsburgh but most also didn't believe he'd make it all the way to the 83rd pick in the NFL Draft. This is a great spot for Johnson, who should form a nice duo with Jaylen Warren next year and slide right into the void left by the departed Najee Harris. Johnson was in our top ten pre-draft and while that may be tough to hold on to, it's still right in the range where he's likely going to be taken based on this landing spot as he really is a prototypical Steeler player with his toughness, grit and motor.
Dynasty | The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: It was nearly impossible to think Pittsburgh was going to go through the draft's first two days without addressing both quarterback and running back. Well, quarterback hasn't been in the cards thus far but Johnson will help fill the void left by Najee Harris' departure. It's a big blow to the dynasty prospects of Warren in theory, but few really felt like he was going to be given the backfield all to himself anyway. He'll remain in the RB3 mix now as part of a likely committee for the Steelers.
Dynasty | The Seattle Seahawks drafted Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: It's an intriguing landing spot to say the least. He'll have little chance to challenge the incumbent (and highly paid) Sam Darnold for meaningful snaps next season, but Darnold also has an out in his contract that could make his time in Seattle short. The Seahawks will likely take a year to see if Milroe really does have the ability to refine his passing. If he can, he can be the next Jalen Hurts. If he can't, he's going to have a short career. He'll be a fun late round pick in rookie drafts because of his rushing ability alone.
Dynasty | The Cleveland Browns drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Gabriel landed in a dream scenario being drafted by the Browns in the third round. He'll compete with Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco early in his career and while the chance of him starting in week one are remote, the chances of him playing at some point this year seem strong. He's going to move up the draft board after being the fifth quarterback taken with real draft capital being used on him as well.
The Arizona Cardinals have selected Michigan defensive back Will Johnson with the 47th overall pick during Friday's draft. Wow, well this could end up being a steal for the Cardinals as Johnson fell in the draft likely due to injury concerns. Johnson was viewed as a Day 1 prospect, but being limited to seven games last season probably hurt his draft stock. When healthy, Johnson has proven to be an elite zone coverage defensive back with good size and length. He finished his college career with 57 tackles, nine interceptions, and three returned touchdowns. Johnson should be a Day 1 starter and an immediate impact player on defense in Arizona.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks have selected Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe with the 92nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Milroe is the only FBS player with 30 plus passing touchdowns and 30 plus rushing touchdowns from 2023-2024. He threw for 5,678 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions while rushing for 1,257 yards and 32 touchdowns over the last two seasons. The 22-year-old has a cannon for an arm and is an exceptional athlete, but he needs to improve his accuracy as a passer. He will start off the 2025 season as the third-string quarterback behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock. Milroe is ranked 38th overall as a rookie but is more of a dynasty stash for now as a backup for Seattle.
From RotoBaller
The Packers added another top receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Savion Williams in the third round with the 87th overall pick after taking Matthew Golden in Round 1. Williams is a versatile playmaker who had a receiving, rushing, and passing touchdown last year with TCU. He is a solid receiver but also starred as the team's wildcat quarterback at times last year. He ran for six touchdowns and caught six more scores. He lined up in the backfield, out wide, and in the slot. The Packers could utilize him all over the formation in a role similar to Deebo Samuel Sr. or Cordarrelle Patterson. He'll be an interesting name to track in camp and preseason to see how the Packers incorporate his skill set into their growing offense.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns have selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel with the 94th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns have been linked to various members of the quarterback class for quite a while, and now, they finally pull the trigger in the back half of the third round. Gabriel is the fifth signal-caller off the board, joining Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, and Jalen Milroe. Interestingly, Shedeur Sanders, who was once mentioned as a candidate for Cleveland at No. 2 overall, remains available as many quarterback-needy teams opt for different players. Gabriel played six seasons of college football, with stops at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Replacing Bo Nix with the Ducks in 2024, Gabriel completed 326 of his 447 pass attempts for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also showcased his mobility with 149 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Gabriel will likely compete with Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco while the Browns wait for Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to get healthy.
From RotoBaller
The Steelers used the 83rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to add Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round. He had a solid year with the Hawkeyes despite their struggles on offense, totaling 1,537 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns on 240 attempts and adding 188 more yards and two touchdowns on 22 receptions out of the backfield. Johnson was a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the top running back in the nation. This year, he'll team up with Jaylen Warren, who signed his restricted free agent tender, and Kenneth Gainwell to make up the primary options in the Steelers' backfield after the departure of Najee Harris to the Chargers. Johnson could replace Harris as the team's short-yardage, bigger back in the rotation.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have selected Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant with the 74th overall pick in the NFL Draft. He was projected to go on Day 3 but was taken by Denver in Round 3 on Friday. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver has strong hands and is a big, possessive wideout who is a reliable blocker. Bryant tied for the Big Ten lead with 10 receiving touchdowns and racked up 54 catches for 984 receiving yards for Illinois last season. He will compete with Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin to start opposite Denver's No.1 wideout, Courtland Sutton. Bryant is ranked as RotoBaller's 67th overall rookie. He could provide some fantasy value as a late-round flyer in redraft leagues in 2025 if he can secure the Broncos' No. 2 wide receiver role.
From RotoBaller
The Houston Texans have selected Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel with the 79th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texans ultimately decided to double up on Cyclone wide receivers after taking Noel's teammate, Jayden Higgins, in the second round. Although most people did not expect the Texans to draft two wide receivers on Day 2, the decision makes sense. Houston lost Stefon Diggs during free agency, and Tank Dell (knee) likely won't be ready for Week 1 as he recovers from a brutal ACL tear. Noel and Higgins will team up alongside Nico Collins and offseason addition Christian Kirk, providing major reinforcements to support C.J. Stroud in the passing game.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Raiders drafted TCU receiver Jack Bech in the second round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Bech landed in a great spot, being taken by the Raiders in the second round. With little other than All-World tight end Brock Bowers to catch passes, Bech could find playing time early in his career. It's fair to wonder if his lack of speed will truly pull him down, but Bech has been productive and looks like a player with some toughness. This landing spot should keep him around the third round of rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Denver Broncos drafted running back RJ Harvey in the second round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: We said all along in the pre-draft process that the landing spot for Harvey would be huge for his perceived dynasty rookie value and that's exactly what unfolded. Harvey is going to immediately push for real playing time with the likes of Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin, becoming the favorite to be the lead back in the process. Harvey has a lot to prove but he's a massive boom or bust prospect who is likely going to move up into the second round or even the late first for courageous managers in upcoming rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Cleveland Browns selected Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Fannin represents perhaps the biggest "boom or bust" player at tight end and perhaps even any position in the draft. After all, this is a player who set FBS records with 117 catches and 1,555 yards but also did it playing against sub-par competition. The Browns will likely find some creative ways to deploy him with David Njoku and Fannin makes for a fun pick with upside in the middle rounds of rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The New England Patriots drafted Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams in the third round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: We had moved Williams from the 30s into the mid-20s in the pre-draft process and that proved to be ahead of the curve as he was taken in the third round by the New England Patriots. Williams lands in a great spot as the Pats led the league (in the wrong way) with the fewest yards from a wide receiver group and really need help. Williams won't solve all their problems, but he has a realistic chance at early playing time as he joins a depth chart that's simply not very talented. As such, he should be a solid third round pick in rookie drafts.
The Detroit Lions moved around on the draft board on Friday in Round 2 and Round 3, ultimately trading back up to take wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa out of Arkansas at No. 70 overall. The Michigan native profiles as a big slot option and has the size, ball skills, and physicality to be a potential mismatch in the Lions' creative scheme. He could have a hard time making an immediate fantasy impact as a rookie since the Lions have so many playmakers already on offense. He only had 28 catches for 546 yards and three touchdowns last season, but he has the raw elements to be a productive option in the Lions' passing game if the workload is available. This landing spot in Detroit makes him more of a sleeper to watch than someone to target as a rookie.
From RotoBaller
The Patriots added a receiver early in the third round by selecting Kyle Williams from Washington State with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After addressing other needs in the first two rounds, the Pats snagged Williams, who has many advanced analytics that are as strong as the other receivers at the top of the class. He has great ability after the catch and broke out as a fifth-year senior last year with 70 catches for 1,196 yards and 14 touchdowns in the Cougars pass-heavy offense. He's 5'11" but has true 4.4 speed. His big-play ability should immediately make him one of Drake Maye's most explosive options in the offense, and he could develop into the team's WR2 behind Stefon Diggs as early as this season.
From RotoBaller
