Shough, 25, was within the 2018 high-school recruiting class, alongside present NFLers Trevor Lawrence, Micah Parsons and Amon-Ra St. Brown (h/t 247Sports).
He began his profession at Oregon (2018-20), the place he backed up Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s (2018-19) and began the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Shough transferred to Texas Tech (2021-23), the place he suffered three vital accidents, together with two damaged collarbones and a damaged fibula, that restricted him to fifteen video games. Final season, he transferred to Louisville and performed a career-high 12 video games whereas main the Cardinals to an 8-4 document.
It is a outstanding story of perseverance that should not get misplaced in any controversy over who he was chosen forward of.
Loser: Atlanta Falcons
Do the Falcons know one thing we do not? For a workforce that hasn’t made the postseason since 2017, Atlanta is spending future draft capital like a workforce assured a spot within the 2025 playoffs.
After inexplicably buying and selling a 2026 first-round decide to the Rams to accumulate a second 2025 first, which the Falcons used on edge-rusher James Pearce Jr., they dealt a 2026 fifth-rounder to the Eagles to maneuver up within the third and choose security Xavier Watts.
These strikes depart Atlanta with simply 5 picks within the 2026 draft, the identical quantity it had this yr. That is likely to be OK for a perennial contender, however not for a workforce trying to reestablish itself within the NFC.
Winner: New England Patriots
The Patriots had been winners by addressing their greatest wants, including to their offensive line with offensive deal with Will Campbell (No. 4 total) and heart Jared Wilson (No. 95 total) and giving quarterback Drake Maye extra weapons by selecting operating again TreVeyon Henderson (No. 38) and extensive receiver Kyle Williams (No. 69 total).
On Day 3, New England focused its protection, deciding on security Craig Woodson (No. 106 total) with its first decide, adopted by defensive deal with Joshua Farmer (No. 137 total) and edge-rusher Bradyn Swinson (No. 146 total).
Loser: Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold
Darnold received nearer to changing into 2025’s Kirk Cousins when the Seahawks nabbed Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe within the third spherical (No. 92 total). Like Cousins a season in the past, Darnold signed a profitable contract this offseason, solely to look at his new workforce choose a possible substitute a month later. In 2024, the Falcons adopted their Cousins signing by deciding on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8.
Darnold had a robust 2024 season with the Vikings, but when he takes a step again and extra carefully resembles the quarterback who could not preserve the beginning job with the Jets and Panthers, the Seahawks would possibly have already got his substitute.
Winner: Georgia-to-Philadelphia pipeline
The Eagles revived the Georgia pipeline on Saturday, deciding on Bulldogs linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (No. 161 total). Because the first spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft, Philadelphia has selected six Georgia defenders, together with three in 2023, however none throughout final yr’s draft.
Defensive deal with Jalen Carter has been one of the best of the bunch, however every has carved out a useful function, together with beginning linebackers Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith, core particular teamer Kelee Ringo and rotational beginning lineman Jordan Davis.
Mondon may very well be the subsequent success story. Per SIS data, he is a top quality protection linebacker, permitting minus-3.8 anticipated factors added when focused in protection final season. Mondon can also be a succesful pass-rusher, producing a 23 p.c stress fee.
Loser: Cleveland Browns
The Browns had seven picks within the 2025 draft and used two on operating backs — Quinshon Judkins (No. 36 total), Dylan Sampson (No. 126 total) — and two others on quarterbacks — Dillon Gabriel (No. 94 total), Shedeur Sanders (No. 144 total).
That is a tragic misuse of draft assets for a workforce as dangerous because the Browns. As an alternative of plugging a number of holes, they hardly stuffed any.
Winner: New York Giants
We’re not bought on quarterback Jaxson Dart, however the Giants hit the best notes with their different seven picks. Edge-rusher Abdul Carter was one of many consensus greatest gamers on this yr’s draft. Together with fourth-round decide defensive deal with Darius Alexander (No. 65 total), the Giants have constructed one of many league’s prime defensive strains, which already included inside lineman Dexter Lawrence and edge Brian Burns.
On Day 3, the Giants chosen Arizona State operating again Cam Skattebo (No. 105 total) and Purdue offensive deal with Marcus Mbow (No. 154 total), two different gamers with starter potential.
Loser: Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero
As an alternative of investing closely in protection, Carolina gave Evero a can of Spam and a matchstick and stated, “Make a five-star meal.”
The Panthers had the league’s worst protection final season however spent their first-round decide on extensive receiver Tetairoa McMillan. They ended up spending 4 of their eight picks on protection, however that may not be sufficient for a unit that wanted extra assist.
Winner: Ohio State
Ohio State’s 2024 championship workforce was acknowledged with 15 members — extensive receiver Emeka Egbuka, guard Donovan Jackson, defensive tackles Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, operating backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, edge-rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, linebacker Cody Simon, security Lathan Ransom, cornerbacks Jordan Hancock and Denzel Burke and quarterback Will Howard — being chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft, tied with 2021 Georgia for the most in draft history.
The quantity of draft picks speaks to the absurd stage of expertise on final yr’s roster and places them in a tier of most gifted groups in current historical past. Maybe extra importantly, the Buckeyes had two extra gamers chosen than their arch-nemesis, Michigan, had final season following its 2023 nationwide title.
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers
So, Aaron Rodgers it’s.
The Steelers waited till Spherical 6 to pick out a quarterback (Howard), which inserts with proprietor Artwork Rooney II telling reporters on Friday that Rodgers “does wish to come right here.”
Pittsburgh missed alternatives so as to add arguably higher prospects this weekend because it settles for a 41-year-old quarterback previous his prime. It is a large step again for the proud Steelers group. In some ways, they’re the league’s mannequin franchise. However this weekend, they gave groups an illustration of what to not do.
