New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who is firmly in the battle for the QB1 job, had an "encouraging performance" during Thursday's OTA practice. "Shough showed it today," Saints reporter Nick Underhill wrote. "Hit two bombs for TDs, real nice layered throw going to the sideline and had an incomplete pass on the move that barely missed but athleticism flashed." The 25-year-old is likely the favorite to be the Week 1 starter in Kellen Moore's new offense after the sudden retirement of Derek Carr (shoulder), so the positive report is promising. Shough was a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after tossing for 7,820 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in 42 collegiate games with Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. He also scored 11 career rushing touchdowns. Shough is no stranger to learning a new system on the fly, so he could exceed relatively low expectations in Year 1.

If New Orleans Saints rookie second-round quarterback Tyler Shough wins the team's QB competition this offseason and starts in Week 1 this fall, he would be the first Week 1 rookie starter for the organization since Archie Manning did it in 1971 after being taken second overall out of Ole Miss. After Derek Carr's abrupt retirement, Shough will be competing with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (oblique) for the starting gig under center after being taken 40th overall in the second round in April. He's the third-highest QB selection for the Saints in their history after taking Manning at No. 2 overall and Bo Burris at 27th overall in 1967. Perhaps giving Shough a leg up is the fact that he's old for a rookie -- he will turn 26 on Sept. 28 after seven seasons in college. Considering his draft status, Shough is considered the early favorite to win the job. If he does, he'll be a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues.

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that tight end Dallin Holker (undisclosed) is dealing with a "minor" injury during OTAs. It's unclear exactly what is bothering Holker or if it will keep him out of mandatory minicamp in early June. The 25-year-old went undrafted out of Colorado State before debuting with the Saints last year. Holker mainly served as New Orleans' No. 3 tight end a year ago and caught only three passes on four targets for 21 yards in 12 games played (two starts). Foster Moreau (knee) is also sitting out of OTAs due to injury, which will lead to more reps for Juwan Johnson, Jack Stoll and Michael Jacobsen. If Holker is healthy for the start of the 2025 regular season, he'll once again serve as TE dept for the Saints and can be ignored in fantasy leagues.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Matthew Paras reports that New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler looked very comfortable during the team's OTA practice on Thursday, and you could tell that he has a year under his belt. Meanwhile, rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough was a little more hesitant, although he shined on a deep ball to receiver Rashid Shaheed down the sideline. Everyone is already expecting Shough to win the QB competition in New Orleans after the sudden retirement of Derek Carr this offseason, but the 24-year-old Rattler isn't going to go down with a fight in an open competition this spring and summer. Rattler completed just 57% of his passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games in 2024 as a rookie, but he has the experience edge and could get the nod if Shough isn't quite ready to start in Week 1 this fall.

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that both tight ends Taysom Hill (knee) and Foster Moreau (knee) will not take part in the team's offseason program due to knee injuries. Both players will miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Hill tore his left ACL in December of last year and probably won't be ready for training camp in late July, either. If the 34-year-old Swiss Army Knife looking unlikely to miss the start of the regular season, too, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that he'll be a salary cap casualty with a cap hit of almost $18 million in 2025. Moreau suffered a knee injury in early January and is still rehabbing. When healthy, the 28-year-old should compete with Juwan Johnson for the top pass-catching role at tight end in 2025. Hill is the most fantasy friendly TE in New Orleans if he stays, but he could be even more boom-or-bust if he stays in the Big Easy coming off his serious knee injury.