Browns and Saints dominate 2025 NFL All-Rookie team but Tyler Shough still snubbed

Mike Moraitis

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Browns and Saints dominate 2025 NFL All-Rookie team but Tyler Shough still snubbed image

While the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints have once again fallen short of the playoffs in 2025, there is hope for the future.

That's because the two teams had successful 2025 rookie classes. The Saints and Browns both saw significant contributions from their first-year players, which amounted to a bright spot in what has been a mostly dark season for both.

You need not look further for evidence of that than the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team put together by ESPN's Benjamin Solak.

Solak gave a nod to four rookies from each team, with three Saints and two Browns getting first-team nods, while New Orleans and Cleveland also saw one and two players getting second-team nods, respectively.

Here' who made the cut as first- and second-teamers on Solak's roster:

Saints on first team: LT Kelvin Banks Jr., CB Quincy Riley, S Jonas Shanker

Saints on second team: QB Tyler Shough

Browns on first team: TE Harold Fannin, LB Carson Schwesinger

Browns on second team: RB Quinshon Judkins, DL Mason Graham

The biggest issue Saints fans will have is Shough not earning first-team honors, which will rightly be viewed as a snub by many.

Instead, Solak gave first-team honors to Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward. Here's what Solak said about choosing Ward over Shough:

Shough became the betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading the Saints' come-from-behind win over Ward and Tennessee in Week 17. I kind of get it -- the Saints have won their past four games, and Shough has looked better with each passing week. But while I see quality play from Shough, I don't see the sort of jaw-dropping, math-changing potential I see in Ward.

Shough has checked every box you could hope for out of a rookie: poise, creativity, execution of the offense, a short memory for mistakes. He needs to cut down on the sacks and sprays, but he looks like a clear hit for general manager Mickey Loomis and a Saints team in need of a rookie contract starter at quarterback.

Despite not making his first start until Week 9, Shough has been so good that there is a legit case to make for him when it comes to Offensive Rookie of the Year.

After a tough debut, Shough has shown vast improvement and that has led to New Orleans winning each of its last four games.

In all, Shough has completed 67.8% of his passes for 2,125 yards and nine scores to five picks while also adding 42 carries for 152 yards and two more scores.

The fact that Shough didn't play a full season might hurt his candidacy, but it really shouldn't because of the high level of play the rookie has shown this season.

Ward struggled for much of the campaign but has come on strong in recent weeks. Even still, when you look at the complete body of work from Shough and Ward, there's no doubt the former has shown just a bit more promise.

Regardless, Shough has given the Saints some much-needed hope and now New Orleans will be tasked with building the team around him in order to put the youngster in the best possible position to succeed moving forward.

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