Tyler Shough was the best rookie quarterback in the NFL last year, but because the New Orleans Saints drafted him in the second round it seems he just can’t get the benefit of the doubt his season should have earned him nationally. How he’s being spoken about in reference to his peers is surprising because in some eyes, he hasn't done enough to pass Cam Ward or Jaxson Dart.
Bleacher Report's Alex Kay laid out expectations for each rookie quarterback going into Year 2. Shough got a solid expectation to be a top-16 quarterback, but his draftmates were given higher expectations. Kay believes Ward could be a top-12 QB and Dart could be a top 10 quarterback in the league this year.
Ward was the first overall pick, so it makes sense Shough has to do more to be perceived as better. Dart, on the other hand, was drafted in the back end of the first round, so it shouldn't be that much of a gap to close. But then again, apparently he has the highest immediate ceiling.
Tyler Shough vs. Jaxson Dart is shaping up to be the rivalry of the 2025 draft class
It isn’t abnormal for there to be rivalries within the draft class. Joe Burrow vs Justin Herbert. Lamar Jackson vs Josh Allen. These comparisons are natural when two players are picked in the same year at the same position.
Shough vs. Dart is already shaping up to be that from a media and fan perspective. The comments on social media have been back and forth between Saints and Giants fans in a way that suggests these are the top two quarterbacks from the class. Maybe it's a market thing, maybe something else, but Ward has found himself outside of this particular conversation.
An interesting argument in favor of Dart moving forward is he’s getting back weapons who were injured last year. Dart had one start with Malik Nabers on the field, and that pairing lasted 25 snaps. Cam Skateboo suffered a season ending injury as well.
The argument is Dart is getting talent back, and it’s a great argument for him taking a step forward. The only thing is Shough has similar circumstances except it’s new players coming into the fold.
Jordyn Tyson hasn’t proven anything in the league, and Nabers has. The edge has to go to Nabers if for no other reason than being proven for a year, but Tyson is still a top-10 player who has the potential of having a rookie year like Tyson.
The Saints also have Travis Etienne who outweighs the return of Skateboo. It’s not necessary to go player for player, but Dart and Shough have players who weren’t at their disposal a year ago that should help them take a step forward.
The two players get to face off this year. The Saints beat the Giants last year, and Dart had a terrible game. Shough didn't play that game, so this will be the first time we get a head to head between Shough and Dart.
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