Will Tom Brady lead the Las Vegas Raiders to Tyler Shough in the 2025 NFL Draft?

As the Las Vegas Raiders look to secure their future at quarterback, all eyes are on Tom Brady’s potential influence in selecting Tyler Shough in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The biggest priority for the Raiders and Brady, their new minority owner, this offseason is to find a long-term solution at quarterback. Last season, the team split time between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, but neither proved to be the answer, as the Raiders struggled in the passing game. Minshew is expected to be released, while O’Connell will likely compete for a backup role rather than being viewed as a legitimate starter. This leaves the team in dire need of a new signal-caller to help close the gap between them and their AFC West rivals.

One potential route the Raiders could take is selecting a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are both expected to be top-10 picks, but with the Raiders picking at No. 6, there’s a strong chance they’ll be off the board by the time it’s their turn. If the team doesn’t believe either player will be available, or if they’re not sold on either prospect after the NFL Combine, they may turn to the veteran market. Kirk Cousins could be a compelling option. The Raiders could either trade a late-round pick to acquire him or sign him outright if the Falcons cut him. Cousins would fit well in Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly’s offensive systems, providing a steady veteran presence while the team develops a younger quarterback for the future.

Why Tyler Shough could be the answer in Las Vegas

That young quarterback could be Louisville’s Tyler Shough, a physically gifted passer who may be available when the Raiders pick in the third round. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 224 pounds, Shough possesses one of the strongest arms in the 2025 draft class. He excels at pushing the ball downfield with impressive velocity, even when throwing on the move. In addition to his arm strength, he is an underrated athlete who can throw from multiple arm angles, making him capable of creating plays outside of structure. He also displays a natural ability to throw with touch and delivers a catchable ball, traits that could make him an ideal developmental prospect for the Raiders.

However, concerns about Shough will likely push him down draft boards. He is an older prospect who has spent seven years in college, transferring from Oregon to Texas Tech before finishing at Louisville. Injuries have also been a recurring issue throughout his career. In 2023, he was limited to just four games due to a leg injury, and in 2022, he missed six games with a shoulder issue. A broken collarbone in 2021 further adds to the durability concerns that teams will have to weigh when evaluating him. Additionally, while he has the physical traits to thrive at the next level, his footwork remains inconsistent, and he has a tendency to force passes under pressure. Ball security has also been an issue, as he has recorded 12 career fumbles.

Despite these concerns, Shough’s natural talent makes him an intriguing prospect for a team like the Raiders. The organization desperately needs an upgrade at quarterback after finishing last season with just 19 touchdown passes against 16 interceptions and posting the sixth-worst QBR in the league. With O’Connell likely remaining as a backup and Minshew on his way out, the Raiders are expected to bring in two new quarterbacks to compete for the starting job. If they decide to pair a veteran like Cousins with a high-upside developmental player like Shough, they could finally be on the path to solving their quarterback dilemma and closing the gap in the AFC West.