Analyst links Tyler Shough with NFC team despite major offseason signing

Some reporters previously suggested that the Seattle Seahawks could spend the 18th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on a quarterback such as Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart even though Seattle signed Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5M contract early in free agency. 

Such talk has since quieted down, but ESPN's Ben Solak mentioned for a piece published Wednesday that the Seahawks could consider selecting Louisville signal-caller Tyler Shough at overall pick No. 52 because Shough would be a great fit for the system run by offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

"[Shough] ran a ton of play-action at Louisville and is comfortable going under center, taking deep dropbacks and hitting big throws into the windows created by those fakes," Solak explained. "Shough is a surprisingly good thrower on the move and can shine in a series of bootlegs and half rolls, which Kubiak deployed frequently last season [as offensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints]."

Cleveland Browns reporter Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand is among those who have recently noted that Shough's draft stock seems to be rising as April 24 approaches. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. believes the Browns could take Shough with the draft's 33rd overall selection and have him immediately compete with offseason acquisition Kenny Pickett for the starting job. 

Shough would be more of a project with a Seattle team that could start Darnold through the 2026 season. As Solak pointed out, though, Darnold is an "uncertain starter" who could "regress back to the level of his pre-2024 play" as he did during his final two games with the Minnesota Vikings.

Of course, the Seahawks could and maybe even should use their top three picks (No. 18, No. 50, No. 52) to build around Darnold in an attempt to get the most out of their offseason investment. Depending on how far Shough drops down the draft order, Seahawks general manager John Schneider could view the prospect as somewhat of an insurance policy who either could receive a legitimate attempt to win the starting job next year or eventually be traded, similar to how the New England Patriots handled Joe Milton III.