2025 NFL Re-Draft Buzz: Tyler Shough Rising, Cam Ward Under the Microscope
The NFL draft is all about projection-teams betting on traits, potential, and the right fit. But once the games start, the reality sets in fast. And as we near the end of the 2025 season, one of the biggest storylines emerging from this rookie class is the early quarterback returns-particularly when it comes to Tyler Shough and Cam Ward.
In a recent re-draft exercise, longtime NFL draft analyst Todd McShay made waves by slotting Shough as the No. 1 overall pick, leapfrogging Ward, who originally went first to the Tennessee Titans. It’s a bold move, but McShay didn’t back down from the take.
“Tell me why I’m wrong,” he challenged on The McShay Show, citing Shough’s production, physical tools, and leadership. And he’s got a case.
Shough’s been stacking wins in New Orleans, guiding a Saints squad that’s been held together by duct tape and depth-chart deep cuts. He’s 4-3 as a starter, fresh off a 308-yard performance against the Jets, and very much in the mix for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Let’s break that down for a second. We’re talking about a 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback with mobility, arm strength, and the ability to make plays both on and off script.
He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s elevating a roster ravaged by injuries and leading them to wins. That’s the kind of impact you want from a top pick.
Compare that to Spencer Rattler, who’s flashed but is sitting at 1-7 as a starter. And then there’s Cam Ward, who has shown moments of brilliance but hasn’t quite put it all together consistently. That’s where Shough separates himself-week-to-week reliability in a league that demands it.
“If you’re just dropped on this planet starting in September and you watch the whole season to this point,” McShay said, “who’s been the best quarterback? Tyler Shough.”
Hard to argue with that logic.
But it wasn’t just the quarterbacks getting re-evaluated. Offensive line play, often overlooked in the glitz of draft night, took center stage when McShay and guest Steve Muench debated the top tackles. Muench made a compelling case that the New England Patriots would take Kelvin Banks Jr. over Will Campbell if they had a do-over at No. 4 overall.
“Same position,” Muench said, “but I think Kelvin Banks Jr. is going to be a better offensive tackle.”
That’s not a knock on Campbell, who’s held his own in New England. But Banks has been trending upward in a big way.
After a rocky start, he’s locked in and leveled up. His tape over the last month tells the story: improved footwork, better hand placement, and the kind of anchor you build an offensive line around.
Muench even suggested Banks could be in play for the top overall pick in a re-draft scenario.
“My job as the New England GM is to take the best left tackle I possibly can,” he said. “Looking back on it now, it’s Kelvin Banks Jr.”
It’s a reminder that development matters just as much as draft day hype. Some guys hit the ground running, others take a little time to adjust-but by December, the cream usually rises.
And speaking of rising, all eyes will be on this weekend’s showdown between Shough and Ward. Just a couple of months ago, this matchup looked like a potential battle for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
Now? It’s a proving ground for two young quarterbacks trying to cement their place as franchise cornerstones.
Shough’s already made a strong impression. Ward has a chance to respond. The stakes may not be playoff-level, but for these two, it’s personal-and it’s pivotal.
As always, time will tell. But if this season has shown us anything, it’s that the NFL learning curve is steep-and the ones who climb it fastest tend to stick around.