With Derek Carr's 2025 campaign on hold because of a shoulder injury, the New Orleans Saints are leaving no stone unturned in seeking out backup options for the 2025 NFL Draft. Their latest solution? Inviting Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in on a top 30 visit.

This visit puts Shough on a burgeoning list of quarterback prospects the Saints have been considering, an obvious sign the front office is gearing up for all possibilities in the event Carr cannot get back on track.

Tyle Shough Visited Saints Recently

2025 NFL Draft Rumors: Are Saints Trying to Recruit Louisville 2025 NFL Draft Rumors: Are Saints Trying to Recruit Louisville
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In a report by the New Orleans Times-Picayune's Jeff Duncan, Shough reportedly visited the New Orleans Saints for a pre-draft talk.

For Saints fans who are uncertain about Carr, this is good news, indicating that the team wants to mold a young star in the making.

Tyler Shough's College Journey: From Oregon to Louisville

Tyler Shough began his college football career at Oregon in 2018, serving three seasons in a backup role. In pursuit of more playing time, he transferred to Texas Tech, where he started every season from 2021 to 2023. Sadly, repeated injuries—a collarbone fracture, shoulder injury, and broken fibula- ended each of those seasons early.

In 2024, Shough moved again, this time to Louisville, where he finally had a full season. He directed the Cardinals to an 8-4 regular season, throwing 62.7% of his attempts for 3,195 yards, 23 scores, and six interceptions. Though plagued by injury issues, Shough showed he can be effective when healthy.

NFL Draft Stock: Day 3 Prospect with Raw Tools and Injury Red Flags

Shough is generally slated as a Day 3 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, mostly because of his injury profile and age—he'll be 25 this year. Clubs might be reluctant to spend early draft picks on an older player with questions surrounding his durability.

But there's a positive. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 219 pounds, Shough possesses size that's ready for the NFL and glimpses of elite-level talent. He is athletic, evades sacks, and has shown impressive ball placement on intermediate and deep passes.

Areas for Improvement: Mechanics, Patience, and Consistency

While Shough possesses the physical ability, scouts cite shaky lower-body mechanics and a requirement to refine his footwork and throwing platform. According to Athlon Sports, his release accuracy and velocity drop when his foundation isn't properly established.

He must also exhibit greater patience within the pocket since he locks into primary reads or panics if the first target isn't available. These are teachable traits, particularly within a disciplined NFL system.

As the Saints are seriously scouting quarterback prospects amid Derek Carr's uncertain future, Tyler Shough is a high-upside, low-risk project who can grow into a trustworthy backup or even a starter with proper coaching.

If the Saints take him on Day 3, it may turn out to be a smart decision, particularly if Carr's injury is a lingering one.