Saints predicted to ditch Tyler Shough for prized 13-TD quarterback prospect

The New Orleans Saints may have landed their quarterback of the future in the 2025 NFL draft, when the team selected Louisville product Tyler Shough in the second round.

Initially expected to be a mid-round pick, Shough saw his stock rise ahead of the draft and was one of the most surprising selections on Day 2.

Now, he'll look to prove he's the long-term answer in New Orleans as soon as this year, when he could win a starting job, depending on what happens with Derek Carr's shoulder injury. If Carr is ready for 2025, he'll likely start.

But there's at least one analyst out there who doesn't see Shough panning out. That is Pro Football and Sports Network's Jacob Infante, who released a 2026 mock draft and had the Saints taking Texas quarterback Arch Manning with the No. 3 pick.

"The New Orleans Saints drafted Tyler Shough in Round 2 this year, but the idea of a Manning leading the offense in New Orleans feels right," Infante wrote. "Arch Manning enters the 2025 season with just two college starts under his belt, and he still needs to improve his footwork and feel for backside pressure. But he’s a great athlete, sees the field well, and has a live arm with strong off-platform mechanics. He’s not QB1 yet — but he’s a clear top-three pick in this mock."

Talk about a draft pick that would create a full-circle moment.

Of course, Manning's grandfather, Archie, spent 11-plus years of his NFL career with the Saints, serving as the team's starter from 1971 until 1982. Manning is widely considered one of the best players in Saints history.

There has been no shortage of hype surrounding Arch since high school. On top of his last name, Manning also carries an intriguing skill set. He has the arm talent of his uncles, Peyton and Eli, but also possesses the kind of athleticism the two NFL greats didn't.

While Arch doesn't have a lot of experience in college yet after sitting behind Quinn Ewers for two years, he has shown flashes in limited action, with his showings against UTSA and Mississippi State serving as shining examples.

There are a few problems with this scenario, though. For starters, there is a lot of time between now and when Manning will enter  a future draft and a lot can change, as his former Texas teammate, Ewers, found out.

Adding to that, a recent report suggests Manning is not going to come out early and will play out the next two years of his college career.

"The word from people that have been down there visiting Texas for scouting visits has been that they expect Arch to be there for two more seasons," ESPN's Field Yates said on The Adam Schefter Podcast (30:40 mark).

"Will that prevail? We'll see, but that has been the sentiment that scouts have been gathering when they spend time around the Texas program this past season."

Manning may be highly-touted now, but his ability to keep that label will depend upon his performance on the field over the next year or two.