What is the NFL draft projection for Quinn Ewers? The Longhorns of Texas The scouting report for QB

NFL Draft Projection for Quinn Ewers: A Comprehensive Scouting Report

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, one of the most highly anticipated quarterback prospects is Quinn Ewers, the talented signal-caller from Texas. Ewers, who has gained significant attention for his performances with the Longhorns, possesses a combination of raw talent and upside that has scouts and analysts closely monitoring his development. While Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance, his journey to the NFL will involve further honing his skills and proving himself at the highest levels of competition.

This comprehensive scouting report will examine Quinn Ewers’ strengths, weaknesses, and overall potential as an NFL quarterback, as well as provide a projection for where he may land in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Background: The Journey to Texas

Quinn Ewers was a highly touted recruit out of Southlake Carroll High School in Texas. As the No. 1 overall quarterback recruit in the 2022 class, he had high expectations surrounding him even before he stepped foot on a college campus. Ewers initially committed to Ohio State but made the bold decision to transfer back home to Texas after spending just one season with the Buckeyes.

Ewers took the starting role at Texas in 2023 under head coach Steve Sarkisian, a former NFL and college offensive coordinator with a track record of developing elite quarterbacks. Ewers’ decision to play for Texas provided him with a chance to show off his abilities and demonstrate why he was considered one of the most gifted quarterbacks in his class.

Strengths: What Makes Quinn Ewers an Exciting NFL Prospect

1. Elite Arm Talent

The most noticeable aspect of Quinn Ewers’ game is his exceptional arm strength and ability to make throws to every part of the field. Ewers has the natural ability to push the ball downfield, demonstrating impressive velocity on deep passes. Whether it’s an out route, a go ball, or a post route, Ewers has the arm to make every throw required in the modern NFL offense.

His arm strength is paired with a fluid and effortless release, allowing him to flick the ball with precision and speed. Ewers’ mechanics, while still developing, have consistently showcased the kind of raw talent that scouts look for in a top quarterback prospect. His ability to drive the ball downfield while maintaining velocity on tight-window throws makes him a unique prospect in this class.

2. Mobility and Athleticism

While Ewers is often seen as a traditional pocket passer, he’s not a statue in the backfield. He has solid mobility for his size (6’2″ and 210 pounds) and has shown the ability to make plays with his legs when necessary. Ewers is capable of extending plays outside the pocket, either to buy time for his receivers or to scramble for positive yards when the pocket collapses.

His agility and ability to evade pressure make him a dual threat, which is a valuable trait for modern NFL quarterbacks. While Ewers is not a top-tier scrambler or a run-first quarterback, his ability to extend plays and make throws on the move has become an asset in his skill set.

3. Quick Release and Clean Mechanics

Ewers has a quick and compact throwing motion that allows him to get the ball out of his hands quickly. This quick release helps him avoid sacks, especially when facing pressure from opposing defenses. Ewers’ throwing mechanics have continued to improve over the course of his time at Texas, with his lower body alignment and footwork becoming more consistent.

He is capable of throwing the ball from multiple platforms, whether in a traditional dropback or while throwing on the run. His clean mechanics, paired with his natural arm strength, make him a threat in both short and long-range situations. His ability to throw from different angles without losing velocity is a key reason why NFL scouts have him high on their radar.

4. Field Awareness and Vision

Ewers has shown solid field awareness and vision when scanning the field for open receivers. He does a good job of going through his progressions and is rarely locked into one target. His ability to recognize defenses pre-snap and adjust his reads is a skill that bodes well for his NFL transition. He’s also shown an aptitude for understanding defensive schemes, identifying blitzes, and reacting to defensive movements.

Although his field awareness isn’t perfect, Ewers has shown a promising ability to process defenses at a high level. With continued development, he could become even more adept at recognizing defenses and making adjustments accordingly.

Weaknesses: Areas for Improvement

While Ewers is undoubtedly a talented quarterback, there are still several aspects of his game that need refinement before he can make a successful transition to the NFL. Below are some of the key weaknesses and areas for improvement:

1. Consistency in Accuracy

One of the biggest knocks on Ewers has been his consistency in accuracy. While he can make breathtaking throws at times, he has also struggled with accuracy on shorter and intermediate routes. Whether it’s overthrowing or underthrowing receivers, Ewers needs to develop more consistency with his ball placement, particularly on quick throws and when under pressure.

This inconsistency has been noticeable in games against top-tier defenses where precision is key. For Ewers to succeed in the NFL, he must show the ability to deliver the ball consistently, even when the window is small or when under duress.

2. Decision-Making and Turnovers

Ewers has had a few costly turnovers throughout his college career. Though his decision-making has improved, he can still be prone to forcing passes, particularly in situations where the play breaks down. At times, Ewers tries to fit the ball into tight windows when it may be smarter to take a sack or throw the ball away.

Improving his decision-making, especially in high-stakes situations, will be crucial for his success in the NFL. Quarterbacks who struggle with turnovers in college often find it difficult to clean up that aspect of their game at the next level. Ewers must show that he can protect the ball while maintaining his aggressive style of play.

3. Deep Ball Consistency

While Ewers possesses an outstanding deep ball, his consistency on these throws can be a concern. At times, he underthrows or overthrows deep balls, leading to missed opportunities and forcing his receivers to adjust mid-play. The deep ball is one of the most important aspects of today’s NFL offenses, and Ewers must improve his touch and timing on these passes to avoid falling into bad habits.

His mechanics on deep passes, including his footwork and release timing, need continued refinement to ensure his deep ball is consistently on target. If Ewers can make his deep ball a weapon on a more consistent basis, he will drastically improve his stock as an NFL quarterback.

4. Footwork and Pocket Presence

While Ewers has solid footwork, there are still areas where his mechanics need improvement. He occasionally gets lazy with his footwork, particularly when under pressure, which leads to inaccuracies. His pocket presence, while improving, still requires work as he sometimes shows a tendency to drift out of the pocket prematurely, limiting his ability to make throws downfield.

Improving his footwork and overall pocket awareness will be crucial for Ewers to succeed in the NFL, where pass rushers are quicker and more relentless than in college. Consistent footwork will help him remain calm in the pocket and avoid unnecessary pressure.

NFL Draft Projection for Quinn Ewers

As of now, Quinn Ewers is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. His exceptional arm talent, mobility, and field awareness make him a highly intriguing prospect with immense upside. However, his inconsistency in accuracy, decision-making, and deep ball placement are factors that will need to be addressed for him to develop into a successful NFL quarterback.

Projection: First Round (Top 10-15 Range)

Ewers’ combination of raw tools and potential make him an attractive option for teams looking to develop a franchise quarterback. His high ceiling, particularly in terms of arm strength and mobility, gives him the potential to be a top-tier NFL quarterback once his skills are refined. Teams in need of a quarterback who can sit and develop for a year or two—such as those with a veteran starter already in place—will likely be interested in his services.

If Ewers can clean up his mechanics, improve his consistency, and show growth in his decision-making, there’s a strong chance he’ll be one of the first quarterbacks off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft.