Mel Kiper mock draft: Analyst projects Giants selecting Tyler Shough early in second round

Tyler Shough is one of the most polarizing quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class. His college football career suggests a ton of upside, but his advanced age and concerning injury history make him a risky pick as well.

Many around the league expect Shough to be a day two pick, but after six quarterbacks were selected among the top 12 picks last year, he could potentially sneak into the first round. Mel Kiper predicts that he will go early in the second round in his most recent mock draft with Field Yates on ESPN.

Kiper projects that the New York Giants will select Shough with the second pick of the second round, the 34th overall pick in the draft. He explained that his experience and arm strength, paired with an impressive season for the Louisville Cardinals last year, make him an attractive target for the franchise.

The Giants are likely to take a quarterback at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft and many around the league expect them to do so with their third-overall pick in the first round. Yates instead selected Abdul Carter for the Giants in this mock draft, passing on the possibility of picking Shedeur Sanders.

This could be a beneficial strategy in New York as the Giants would land both a dominant pass rusher and potentially their future quarterback. They already theoretically have short-term solutions for the position, but Tyler Shough would give them the long-term plan that they are currently missing.

Giants QB outlook if they draft Tyler Shough

Tyler Shough

The New York Giants are in a transitional period at their quarterback position with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen appearing to be firmly in the hot seat this year. They moved on from Daniel Jones and Drew Lock, and replaced them with a pair of veterans in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.

While Wilson and Winston give them legitimate options for the start of this season, they still need to address their future at the position. This is where the 2025 NFL Draft comes in as Daboll and Schoen have an opportunity to find a solution. If they get it right, it could potentially save their jobs going forward.

Tyler Shough is a strong candidate to fill this role if they do in fact pass on a quarterback with their third-overall pick. The presence of their two veterans would allow him to develop his game before being forced into being a starter, which improves his overall outlook as a prospect.