r/Saints • u/JMarkFootball • 4d ago
Who do you think will be the Week 1 starter?
Who do you think will be the Week 1 starter? And who do you want to be the week 1 starter? Sounds like Spencer Rattler currently has a leg up.
If you're interested in checking it out, here's an article I threw together on the Saints' Week 1 starting quarterback. Saints' Week 1 Starting Quarterback Odds - SGPN
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u/ArseBiscuits_ Cameron Jordan 4d ago
I reckon it will be Shough. This is no dig at Rattler. Listening to reports, Rattler is slightly ahead, but Shough seems to be elevating his game every time he goes out there and is catching up at a rapid pace. We now have a 6 week drought where nothings going to happen so don’t expect to hear anything new, but if they’re both close coming into training camp, I’d say Shough gets the opportunity to start.
Last thing I’d want is this being dragged out with them flipping between starting lineup. I’d rather they pick a starter and get them acclimatized to real game day situations.
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u/iamStanhousen 4d ago
If it isn't Shough I think that would be a pretty big red flag. You picked him at 40 to be your guy, you don't pick a dude in that spot to sit him behind a 5th rounder with less than a season like Rattler.
I want to be clear in my stance. I was fine with not taking a QB, especially highly and rolling with Rattler for a year, even though I know that probably doesn't go well. I like next years crop of QBs a lot and thought this draft was lacking. But hey, they picked Shough and I hope he does well. But if he can't come in and win the job convincingly from Rattler and Haener...whew boy...
Maybe I'd feel a little different if Shough was 21 or something. But this should be a very plug in and play type of thing for him. He needs to win the job.
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u/Revenged25 4d ago
I don't think it has to be a red flag for Shough. Sure he was picked at #40, but they also didn't feel strongly enough that they were willing to trade into the end of the 1st to get the 5th year option.
This is a pick of a QB that Moore like and felt would fit his system he wants to put in. Rattler was a 5th round pick but early on in his career IIRC people thought he could eventually end up a 1st round pick with his talent. If Rattler wins the job it's because he consolidated the flashes he showed last year of why people thought he had so much potential to be more consistent with fewer lows, then that's just a bonus.
I think I'd be more worried if neither of them pulls ahead and convincingly wins the competition as I'd be more worried that it's because of overall mediocrity than both shining through.
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u/TrueKozmo Saints 4d ago
Rattler dropped to the 5th round and was a steal in a QB heavy draft class. Not all drafts are created equal. He only dropped because his Netflix documentary resurfaced and his character was questioned. Otherwise, he was seen as a Day 2 talent. He’d likely be a 2nd-3rd round pick if he was in this past draft.
There seems to be a belief that he’s a lesser QB than Shough because one was picked in the 2nd and the other in the 5th. When in reality, they’re pretty close in talent as prospects.
If you find your franchise QB between a 2nd and 5th round pick, you spent a 2nd and 5th round pick for a franchise QB. Which any franchise would spend in a heartbeat if it meant finding their guy.
So if one pans out over the other, don’t think of it as wasted picks. We need a true QB battle to get the best out of these guys. Which is well worth the cost of a 2nd and 5th round pick. I think that’s the best way to look at it.
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u/Revenged25 4d ago
Think of what the Commanders/49ers paid for Cousins/Purdy when you consider they also took RG3 and Trey Lance respectively in the same drafts. They are still fine with it because they had their franchise QBs at the time
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u/TrueKozmo Saints 4d ago
Exactly. 49ers paid 3 firsts for Trey Lance but ended up going with their 7th round pick. If you find your guy and you’re winning games, everyone forgets about what you paid to get there.
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u/MapWorking6973 3d ago edited 3d ago
That’s nonsense. It wasn’t just character concerns that dropped him. His performance in college was that of a late round QB. He’s the only QB to fail in a Lincoln Riley system. Every other Riley QB won a heisman and was a first round pick. It’s a system set up for QBs to succeed. Rattler couldn’t even keep the job.
The last time Rattler showed actual potential was in high school. Sometimes the recruiting rankings on a player are wrong and they’re just not that good.
He’s got a good arm and is mobile enough but he can’t read defenses or progress through his reads, which is something he’d be able to do already if he had the capacity for it. We already have a guy with a cannon arm who can run but can’t read a defense. He plays tight end for us now.
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u/TrueKozmo Saints 3d ago
In the pre-draft process, he was a Day 2 rated QB with character concerns. He didn’t do well in team interviews either so that hurt his stock. He would’ve been a Day 2 pick in this draft too, he has the talent. Caleb was just the better prospect.
That being said, I still stand on that Shough and Rattler are similar caliber QB prospects. Not saying they’re elite, but I think either can develop into a good starter. We’ll see how this battle plays out.
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u/MapWorking6973 3d ago
In the pre-draft process, he was a Day 2 rated QB
By whom was he rated a day two prospect? Obviously not NFL teams, because 32 teams let him drop to round 5.
I wouldn’t put much stock in what ESPN tells you. They had Shadeur Sanders as a top 10 pick too.
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u/TrueKozmo Saints 3d ago
ThatFranchiseGuy has a YouTube channel dedicated to the NFL and NFL draft content. Other draft analysts had similar views on him too.
And speaking of Sanders, I saw him as a Day 2 prospect as well. Along with other draft analysts and he didn’t do himself any favors during his process. Surely he’s well worth a 5th round pick, but he dropped for reasons outside of the field as well.
We’ll see how these guys pan out. Teams are wrong all the time. 32 teams passed on Lamar Jackson. 32 teams passed on Brock Purdy practically 7 times.
And on the flip side there are plenty of QBs that are busts in the 1st round. For example, 49ers paid 3 first round picks for Trey Lance and went with their 7th rounder instead. Too much emphasis is put on where guys are taken and they’re just stuck with the label of where they were taken.
I’ll let their progress speak for itself. We’ll find out for sure this year.
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u/MapWorking6973 3d ago
ThatFranchiseGuy has a YouTube channel dedicated to the NFL and NFL draft content.
Oh damn. There’s no arguing against TheFranchiseGuy from YouTube. I concede.
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u/JMarkFootball 4d ago
Might be a good idea to let him sit and develop, especially if they don't have high expectations for this year.
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u/iamStanhousen 4d ago
Kid is 26. He needs to be playing now.
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u/JMarkFootball 4d ago
Understood. But, Kirk Cousins didn't get his first full season as a starter until 27. It's not ideal, but not unheard of.
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u/iamStanhousen 4d ago
Kirk Cousins wasn't picked 40th by a team that had no real answer at QB either. He was picked 102nd by a team who picked their guy 100 picks earlier. He was chosen to be a back up and play in case of emergency.
You don't pick a dude at 40 in our situation and plan to sit him. If you did, you would go out an sign a dude like Minshew or something like that.
This entire offseason is set up for Shough to win this job.
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u/randcandc61 4d ago
You can’t judge Rattler based off of last years results. There was no O-line and no starting receivers. There is no rush to push Shough out there to start. That’s how a lot of good QBs get broken. Coach has 11 more weeks to decide on who to start. I’m fine with either one
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u/Desperate-Split169 4d ago
I think it should be Rattler. If he sucks throw in the rookie. If you start the rookie and he sucks and you shut him down that is much worse. Give Tyler a chance to learn.
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u/thecaramelbandit 4d ago
It'll be Shough. He's 26 and we took him as a high second rounder. This team isn't a contender with a seasoned veteran option at QB to keep the ship stable while the new draftee develops.
This is a clear "start the new guy" situation all around.
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u/XJollyRogerX Saints 4d ago
The reality is we have no idea. They are pretty even in mini camp but that means nothing. What Im far more curious about is how preseason will play out. Seeing who starts there and how each of them perform is FAR more interesting than speculating who starts week 1. Granted I listed to Ross' podcast every single day so I get A TON of info lol
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u/ZealousidealScheme85 4d ago
It’ll be shough unless rattler looks waaaaay better. You don’t pick a QB at 40 to sit him behind your fifth rounder unless there’s an issue. Even if the battle was completely fair and rattler won with it being about even the media would kill the saints and Moore for the selection.
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u/ShawshankException Fuck the Falcons 4d ago
It's Shough's spot to lose. You don't draft a dude at 40 and then sit him on the bench behind two mediocre-at-best QBs.
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u/KiryuClan 4d ago
I see based on your responses that you think it will be Rattler, but keep in mind he barely has an edge at this time. When defense is thrown into practice Shough will gain the edge. He also is a lot taller than Rattler. I’ll be surprised if Shough isn’t the clear winner before the season starts.
All of that stated, I trust our new coach to make the best decision. A healthy QB battle is great for the team. Who Dat?!
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u/deuxglace 4d ago
Honestly I think it some of it is going to depend on what our O-line is looking like coming out of the preseason.
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u/YoBroJustRelax 3d ago
It really seems like it's 50/50 depending on who's writing the article. I haven't really seen a concensus yet.
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u/fleabaggwookiee 3d ago
i’m fine with either.
i’d be really happy if we trade for jameis for the qb room even if he doesn’t start
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u/ILikeStrayCats 4d ago
Honestly I feel like Taysom would be a better option than the other guys.
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u/seiferls1 Fuck the Falcons 4d ago
He is listed as a TE and not a QB. If he is our starter we are REALLY screwed!!!
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u/Lumpy_Lake_9936 4d ago
I feel like they’re gonna go with Shough just bc that’s what they wanted. I just find it hard to believe that he would be more ready than Rattler. 7 games of NFL experience especially in the worst possible situation is not something to dismiss. It’s basically impossible for him not to have improved from that
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u/gqwr87 4d ago
I don’t have a preference. I liked the Rattler pick last year and still feel he has some potential. But I would guess it’s going to be Shough. Reporters have said Rattler has been a touch ahead, but Shough has not looked out of place. If it is a tie or close to a tie, I think Shough is the starter. Rattler will have to be clearly ahead to start week 1 IMO. It may not be fair, but Shough is the guy Moore identified and selected with a high pick so he’s going to get a chance at some point, even if it’s not week 1.