With the NFL Draft just weeks away, the New York Giants are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a quarterback. One of the most interesting names on their radar is Louisville’s Tyler Shough , who visited the Giants’ facility in East Rutherford, N.J., on Wednesday.
Many draft analysts think the Giants will pass on Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders at No. 3, and the focus has shifted to quarterbacks like Shough who could be value in later rounds. But what makes Shough so interesting? Let’s break it down.
Who Is Tyler Shough?
Shough’s path to the NFL Draft has been anything but conventional. At 26 years old (he’ll be 26 in September), he’s one of the oldest prospects in this year’s class. His college career spanned seven years, including stops at Oregon, Texas Tech, and finally Louisville, where he had his best season in 2024.
Injuries derailed parts of his journey, but Shough showed flashes of brilliance in his one year as Louisville’s starter. Under head coach Jeff Brohm’s quarterback-friendly offense, Shough went 8-4 —the first time in his college career he played more than eight games in a season.
According to Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” draft guide , Shough is QB4 with a second-round grade. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him:
“With his drive velocity and body fluidity, Shough can make impressive rip-and-zip throws from a variety of arm slots and is a better athlete than expected, which helps him keep plays alive. His ability to expedite his process when the pocket deteriorates is promising, but he needs to improve his eye discipline to stay in sync with receivers when reading full progressions.”
Brugler also noted that while Shough is overaged and prone to high-risk passing decisions, his functional mobility and gifted throwing ability make him a late bloomer.
How Will Teams View Shough’s Age?
At 26, Shough is ancient by draft prospect standards. Most rookies enter the league at 21 or 22 after 3 or 4 years of college football. But Shough’s maturity might be his biggest selling point.
As Chris Pflum of BBV said:
“How will the NFL reckon with a 25 year old prospect, who will be 26 in his rookie season, and with only one full year of real production?”
Shough isn’t your typical draft prospect. He’s already married, has a master’s degree and has faced adversity his whole college career. Some teams will see him as a finished product—a player who is what he is. Others will see him as a diamond in the rough, a mature quarterback with upside.
Can Shough be the draft steal? That depends on how teams view his potential vs his limitations.
Why the Giants Are Interested?
The Giants have had draft prospects in for visits, including quarterbacks Cam Ward and dual-threats Shedeur Sanders. But Shough’s interest suggests they’re covering all their bases, especially if they don’t get a a top quarterback early in the draft.
Shough’s experience and leadership could be attractive to a team looking for a developmental quarterback who can contribute sooner rather than later. With veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston already on the roster, Shough wouldn’t have to start right away, giving him time to develop.
Giants’ Draft Visits Tracker: Who Else Are They Looking At?
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the prospects the Giants have met with or hosted recently:
Top Prospects
- Marcus Mbow (OL, Purdue)
- Abdul Carter (Edge, Penn State)
- Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
- Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
- Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
Local Day Visits
- Eric Rogers (CB, Rutgers)
- Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers)
- Christian Dremel (WR, Rutgers)
- Hollin Pierce (OT, Rutgers)
Pro Day Meetings
- Jake Majors (C, Texas)
Combine Visits
- Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
- Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
- Jason Walker (Edge, Georgia)