One of the bigger storylines of the 2025 NFL Draft started to really take off when the New Orleans Saints took their quarterback in the second round. From there, the Shedeur Sanders slide started looking even worse.
But, the Saints weren't the only team to contribute to that slide with a statement-type pick.
Speaking of the statement pick, newcomer Tyler Shough is just one of a few Saints rookies whose selection sent strong messages to the rest of the roster. We break down three of the top decisions made in the draft and why they'll impact certain veterans, starting with Shough's situation.
New Orleans' draft decisions leave no doubt about the future of these key veterans
QB Spencer Rattler
Saints fans have plenty of mixed reactions to the team selecting Tyler Shough in the second round. Regardless of your opinion on the pick, though, New Orleans took him there for a reason. With the injury to Derek Carr and his future being up in the air, the Saints knew they couldn't bank on Spencer Rattler to save this team.
Rattler is still very raw and has tons to learn. Meanwhile, Shough actually looks extremely pro-ready. His main issue has been injuries. But, if he's healthy, Shough has a good chance to start over Rattler. He's just a better player.
OT Trevor Penning
The drafting of Kelvin Banks Jr. now essentially puts Trevor Penning on the bench, unless the Saints wanted to try him at guard and allow him to compete with the likes of Dillon Radunz. Penning, a former first-round pick, hasn't panned out as a tackle.
Banks was viewed as one of the very best linemen in his entire class, thus the taking of him at no. 9 overall. You don't draft a player that high without the intent to start him, and you better believe Banks is going to start.
That puts Penning squarely out of the starting line, for now.
RB Kendre Miller
Coming out of college, Kendre Miller was a favorite amongst the fantasy community. Some folks thought he was the natural heir to Alvin Kamara whenever that era might be up. However, mostly due to injury, Miller's playing time has been almost non-existent and his future looks murky at best.
After the drafting of Kansas running back Devin Neal, the message is loud and clear to Miller: look out.
Miller's injury history and inability to work his way into being a productive player for the Saints, combined with Neal's arrival, has to spell trouble for the third-year pro. Neal comes in with a ton of experience and is known as a guy who can handle the workload. Many had him mocked much higher than where the Saints got him, too. He's a good player. Miller should be worried.