Did the Tennessee Titans draft the wrong quarterback at first overall? That’s what Todd McShay is suggesting in his latest podcast. The longtime NFL draft analyst has used the benefit of hindsight to put together a 2025 NFL re-draft, and he has two New Orleans Saints rookies among the first four picks — with Tyler Shough, not Cam Ward, being the first player to go off the board.
“Tell me why I’m wrong,” McShay said on his The McShay Show with guest Steve Muench. “Tracking to potentially be Offensive Rookie of the Year. Measurables, mobility, 6-4 220, mobility, arm strength, off schedule, on schedule. 308 passing yards coming off that game against the Jets. Yes it’s the Jets, but he’s been doing it for a minute now. He’s won three straight, he’s led that Saints team to which has a bunch of backups to backups to backups.”
McShay pointed out that while Spencer Rattler showed some promise, he was 1-7 as a starter; Shough, he compared, is 4-3. While Ward has shown some flashes, he reasoned, Shough has been consistently impressive. He continued, “If you’re just dropped on this planet starting in September and you watch the whole season, to this point, who’s been the best quarterback? Tyler Shough.”
He didn’t make the pick, having traded off with Muench, but McShay had a great reaction to Muench arguing the New England Patriots would have drafted Banks ahead of former LSU standout Will Campbell at No. 4 overall if given the chance to do it again. Muench made his case:
“Same position, I think Kelvin Banks Jr. is going to be a better offensive tackle. Look at what he’s done, what Kelvin Banks Jr. has done after a rocky start. … I’m not here to make the easy decisions, sometimes Santa has got to make the tough decisions. And this is one of those deals, man. I think Kelvin Banks Jr. would be in play for the first overall pick (in a do-over). … Watch what he’s done over the last month, watch how he’s progressed over the course of the year, and look how he’s played, man. I’m telling you. Kelvin Banks is on the rise. I think he’s going to be the best offensive tackle in this group. I love Will Campbell, I have no beefs with how he’s played for New England. My job as the New England GM is to take the best left tackle I possibly can. And looking back on it now, it’s Kelvin Banks Jr.”
Time will tell if these takes are off the mark. Shough and Ward will compete head-to-head this Sunday in a game that, just a month or two ago, looked like it would decide the first pick in next year’s NFL draft. Instead, each young quarterback is looking to make a statement and continue building momentum going into the offseason.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Todd McShay: Tyler Shough, not Cam Ward should have been first pick
