Looks Like You Can Draft Tyler Shough in Best Ball

What They're Saying

HC Kellen Moore on Wednesday: "Tyler's done an awesome job through this entire process. He's gotten a ton better. He's taken advantage of a bunch of opportunities. We're excited to have a full offseason to build."

GM Mickey Loomis: "We're excited about Tyler ... but we have to remember that he hasn't had 17 starts yet, so we're going to go into next season with these high expectations and there's nothing wrong with that. But we also have to temper that by the fact that ... he's a second-year quarterback and he's had less than a full season to start."

Fantasy Football Impact

It certainly makes sense for New Orleans to head toward next season with Shough as the top QB. Not only did Shough show well over the second half of the year, but the team also currently sits $19.5 million over the 2026 salary cap, according to Over The Cap.

But Loomis' words seem to make it clear that the team doesn't consider itself "set" at QB going forward. And the Saints probably need (and want?) something better than Spencer Rattler as the insurance plan.

So don't be shocked if New Orleans drafts another QB or chases a quality backup in free agency.

As for Shough: Go ahead and treat him as the Saints starter if you jump into early 2026 best ball drafting.

Dynasty Impact

This might be a good time to do a price check on Shough for the long term.

I wouldn't shop to get rid of the Saints QB to whatever the best offer is I receive. But I would probably shop Shough to some of the QB-needier teams in my league to see just how much any of those managers believes in him -- especially if you're already otherwise in good shape at QB.

Shough did post top-12 fantasy numbers from Week 9 on. But his modest rushing ability -- 12th among QBs in yards over that span -- make him less likely to climb further up the ranks.