Saints try out former Browns, Lions WR Donovan Peoples-Jones at rookie minicamp

Here’s an intriguing free agent trying out at New Orleans Saints rookie minicamp. While these minicamps are mainly focused on acclimating first-year pros to life in the NFL, they also work as extended tryouts for veterans looking for work. And one of those players auditioning for a roster spot with the Saints is former Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Peoples-Jones, 26, is a Detroit native who played college football at Michigan and was picked by Cleveland in the sixth round back in the 2020 NFL draft. He broke out in a big way in 2022, catching 61 passes for 839 yards and three touchdowns (all career-highs), but he fell off in the 2023 season. He caught just eight receptions in his first seven games before being traded to the Lions at midseason, and a change of scenery didn’t help. He had five catches for 58 yards through eight games and spent the 2024 season on Detroit’s practice squad. Lions coach Dan Campbell asked for more from him during the preseason, but Peoples-Jones didn’t do enough to win a roster spot.

Now he’s hoping to earn a shot with the Saints. Peoples-Jones is a good athlete with some size the team lacks at receiver, weighing in 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, but he needs to show he can consistently make catches and move the chains. He could be a better option to compete for a roster spot in training camp than someone like Mason Tipton. Let’s see how he does in this first look over the weekend.

NFL executive compares Saints’ first-round pick to 5-time Pro Bowler
John Sigler

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler emptied his notebook with takeaways from every team’s haul in the 2025 NFL draft, including the New Orleans Saints. And he came away with a couple of points worth highlighting for some of the team’s picks, most notably first-round offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. The former Texas Longhorns left tackle was compared to a five-time Pro Bowler by one of Fowler’s sources.

“He’s awesome. He’s Laremy Tunsil,” one anonymous NFC executive told Fowler; his report mentioned that, in the eyes of scouts, Banks “was a clear-cut top-10 pick, despite many mock drafts having him in the teens throughout the process.”

It isn’t a bad comparison. Both of them weigh in at around 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, but Tunsil has slightly longer arms and did a little better in athletic testing at the combine. What’s important is they were both rock-solid in pass protection against SEC competition. Per Pro Football Focus charting, Tunsil allowed just three sacks and was penalized eight times over his final 599 snaps in pass protection at Ole Miss. At Texas, Banks gave up one sack and was fouled eight times in his last 591 reps in pass pro. Being able to match up with other future NFL players and protect your quarterback matters.

So does this mean Banks is about to start for 125 consecutive games and earn five Pro Bowls? Hopefully. But for now, he just needs to focus on getting on the field however his coaches see fit. And like Tunsil, his first start may come at left guard. The Miami Dolphins had a reliable starter in place at left tackle when they drafted Tunsil, but they knew Brendan Albert was approaching the end of his career, so they played the rookie at guard for a year until that spot opened up.

The Saints are in a similar situation. Taliese Fuaga played really well at left tackle last year, and Trevor Penning made some real strides after moving to right tackle. But Penning is in the last year of his contract and may not be on the team in 2026, which would allow Fuaga to go back to his college position on the right side. Maybe the plan is to start Banks at guard in 2025 and let both guys play their natural positions in 2026. It worked out for Tunsil. It could work out for Banks, too.

Dallas Cowboys snag top edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku at No 44 as New Orleans Saints reach for quarterback Tyler Shough

In a stunning twist on draft day, strategic decisions reshaped the future for two storied franchises, reminding us that timing and vision often dictate long-term success.

Rethinking Draft Day Strategies
The recent selection by the Cowboys underscores the evolving nature of draft-day tactics. After a controversial first-round pick, Dallas corrected course in the second round by choosing a top edge rusher from Boston College at No 44. This move, aimed at addressing previous missteps, highlights a commitment to redefining team priorities and capitalizing on undervalued talent.

A Valuable Asset Emerges
The player in question, an ACC sack leader known for his relentless pass rush, quickly became the center of attention. While the Cowboys secured this rising star, the Saints opted for a different approach by selecting a quarterback at No 40 from Louisville. One insightful observer remarked, “This pick swap can be summed up as: I was not big on that quarterback, who ranked 133rd on my big board, and they took him at pick No 40. Even with the quarterback position tax, that is a reach.” Such candid assessments underline the belief that the Cowboys made a wiser choice with their selection.

Challenging Priorities
The Saints’ decision to lean towards a quarterback appears rooted in immediate necessity—a response to a shoulder injury that sidelined their key signal-caller. Yet, by deviating from a more balanced draft approach, the franchise may have overlooked a critical need for a dominant pass rusher. The interplay between necessity and opportunity is evident here, as the pressure for a swift fix may have diverted attention from a player who experts consider a top-20 talent according to comprehensive player evaluations.

Looking Beyond the Horizon
This draft episode serves as a reminder that calculated risks can pave the way for transformative outcomes. For Dallas, the acquisition not only rectifies earlier uncertainties but also injects a promising element into their defensive strategy. For New Orleans, the long-term impact of prioritizing positional emergencies over best available talent remains to be seen. As both teams set their sights on future seasons, these choices reflect broader debates over draft strategies—balancing immediate needs with the merits of long-term development.

In the ever-competitive landscape of professional football, such decisions reverberate beyond a single season. The intricate dance of risk, reward, and foresight continues to challenge and shape the identities of teams. The choices made this draft may well influence not only on-field dynamics but also the evolution of strategies for years to come.

NFL insider ‘wouldn’t put it against’ Tyler Shough starting at QB for Saints in Week 1

The New Orleans Saints shocked a lot of people by picking Tyler Shough early in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, but not NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Pelissero sat down with Jason McIntyre on the Straight Fire podcast to share his thoughts and what he’s heard around the league on this year’s quarterback class, including Shough. He pushed back on McIntyre’s assertions that the Saints picking Shough was the worst QB move in the draft, and said that while Shough’s age and extensive time in college stand out, they aren’t necessarily bad things to NFL coaches.

“This is one of the wildest stats in this draft,” Pelissero said. “The first six years of Tyler Shough’s college career, he never played more than seven games in any of those seasons. Perpetually he was a backup for two years, he had the COVID season at Oregon where he did lead them to a conference title, he had three years at Texas Tech (and) got hurt at all of them, then goes to Louisville, puts it together, and has a pretty good season.”

He added that coaches were impressed by Shough’s performance on the white board and in the film room throughout the pre-draft process, where he expressed familiarity with concepts he’d run before at Oregon or Texas Tech. All told, Shough threw 951 passes across 42 games between his stops at three different schools, but evaluating his game tape is kind of difficult. Pelissero added that he developed some bad habits and shakiness under pressure that wasn’t there before he suffered a series of injuries. If he can overcome that, he just might be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Pelissero continued: “I’ve talked to several who have said this: There’s a little bit of flinch with him, do you worry? Is he shying away from contact, trying not to get hit because he’s been hurt so much? That’s the number one drawback with Tyler Shough. But he’s your classic, efficient, smart guy who knows a lot about offense. He’s arguably the guy who’s most ready to step in and play right now. Depending on what happens with Derek Carr in New Orleans, you could end up have a Tyler Shough competition with Spencer Rattler in New Orleans, and I wouldn’t put it against Tyler Shough to be the 2025 Week 1 starter for the Saints.”

It sure feels like Carr’s time in New Orleans has run its course, even if it’s his mysterious shoulder injury keeping him out of football this season (which, at the time of writing, is not a sure thing). If the Saints view Shough as a bridge to Kellen Moore’s long-term starter, it just might work out. Maybe the rookie surprises us and plays well enough to hold the job himself. We’ll find out in just a few short months.

New Orleans Saints bet on Tyler Shough as future star quarterback despite mixed reactions and high-stakes pressure

A Rising Prospect

In an audacious move that captured both anticipation and skepticism, the New Orleans Saints have placed their hopes in the burgeoning talent of Tyler Shough. The decision to secure this young quarterback in the second round represents more than just a draft pick—it’s a bold bet on future leadership and a transformative era on the field. Shough’s dynamic skill set and potential for growth have quickly made him a figure to watch, even as the move generated divided opinions.

Navigating Mixed Reactions

The strategic gamble on Shough has not come without its critics. Fans and analysts alike have expressed reservations about entrusting the future of the franchise to a relatively unproven commodity. Yet, within the fray of debate, there is a prevailing sense of cautious optimism. The Saints’ decision underlines a willingness to embrace risk for the promise of long-term success, echoing the sentiment that bold moves are sometimes necessary when future greatness is at stake.

Under the Pressure of Legacy

Entering an arena where both immediate results and enduring legacies matter, Shough finds himself under immense pressure to prove his worth. The raw talent he brings to the table is matched by the weight of high expectations from a team eager to redefine its trajectory. This is a defining moment not just for the rookie quarterback but also for an organization that is ready to rewrite its narrative. The challenge is clear: harness the potential, refine the technique, and step confidently into the role of a future cornerstone.

Anticipating a Shining Future

Looking forward, the Saints’ investment in Tyler Shough embodies a blend of calculated risk and hopeful vision. While the decision has sparked a spectrum of reactions, it also represents a commitment to innovation and growth in a fiercely competitive league. The unfolding journey of Shough promises to be as much about individual development as it is about rejuvenating the team’s spirit. In embracing a future laden with both challenges and opportunities, the franchise and its new quarterback are set to inspire a narrative of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of belief.