Kellen Moore talks Tyler Shough from the NFL Combine — and more

The story of the season for the New Orleans Saints was rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s emergence as the starting quarterback throughout the latter half of the year.

Excitement abounds in the Crescent City about the potential long-term head coach-quarterback partnership that the fanbase has long sought after since the departures of Drew Brees and Sean Payton, and which it may have found in Kellen Moore and Shough.

Moore, who drafted Shough a year ago in the second round of his first draft as Saints head coach, was asked by Rich Eisen of NFL Network recently about what stood out about the 26-year-old as the team went through the pre-draft process.

“His willingness to do everything through this whole process,” said Moore from the NFL Combine. “He did everything at the combine, we had coaches go work him out, he came down to New Orleans… through the whole process, we just kept having these interactions with him, and he’s real, he’s authentic, a phenomenal person, phenomenal player.”

The head coach has been full of praise for Shough, who started the final nine games of the campaign for the black and gold.

The rookie posted a 5-4 record, including a 4-0 month of December with multiple 300-yard games while working with a depleted roster.

What do you make of Moore’s comments? What excites you most about the prospect of Shough’s sophomore season? Let us know in the comments!

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The Las Vegas Raiders enjoyed a productive week at the NFL Combine. John Spytek and Klint Kubiak return from Indianapolis with better clarity regarding their approach in the 2026 NFL draft. With the combine now officially in our rearview mirror, we've conducted a brand-new three-round Raiders mock draft that addresses their needs.

Round 1 (No. 1 overall): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Raiders had a formal interview with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the NFL Combine. It was essentially a checklist item as they prepare to select him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Mendoza claimed the meeting went "great," and we have no reason to doubt the Raiders' infatuation with him.

Round 2 (No. 36 overall): Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Exiting the 2026 NFL draft with a starting-caliber EDGE is a must. Trade rumors continue to surround Maxx Crosby's name. Missouri's Zion Young is a well-developed pass rusher who threatens quarterbacks with a red-hot motor. Young is also a quality early-down run defender, allowing him to get on the field quickly.

Round 3 (No. 67 overall): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The Raiders desperately need a tackling machine in the middle of their defense at linebacker. Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez enjoyed back-to-back seasons with 120-plus tackles. Rodriguez was also excellent at the NFL Combine, leaping a 38.5 inch vertical and 10-foot-1 broad jump before running a 6.90 three-cone and 4.57 40. Those are outstanding testing results.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft: Post NFL Combine edition