Quinn Ewers’s Crucial Questions Are Shared by an NFL Draft Expert

Quinn Ewers entered the 2023 season with high expectations as the Texas Longhorns’ starting quarterback. After a standout high school career, including a successful stint at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, Ewers was seen as the next potential great quarterback for the Longhorns. His physical tools – a strong arm, excellent size, and athleticism – made him a highly touted recruit, and he was expected to take Texas football to new heights.

As the season progressed, Ewers showed flashes of brilliance, but also faced questions about his consistency, decision-making, and ability to perform in critical moments. With the 2024 NFL Draft on the horizon, Ewers’s future as a quarterback in the NFL has become a hot topic of discussion, especially given the high level of competition at the position in the upcoming draft class.

In this article, we’ll explore the crucial questions surrounding Quinn Ewers, as identified by an NFL Draft expert, and analyze how these questions will shape his future in the NFL. By examining Ewers’s potential as a top-tier NFL prospect, his strengths and weaknesses, and the challenges he faces as he prepares for the draft, we’ll gain insight into what the future holds for the Texas quarterback and how he stacks up against other top prospects.

The Rise of Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers’s path to becoming one of the top quarterback prospects in the country has been anything but conventional. He first made waves as a high school prodigy in the Dallas area, where he was a five-star recruit and earned national attention for his arm strength, mobility, and ability to make plays on the fly. After initially committing to play for the University of Texas, Ewers reclassified as a 2021 recruit and instead chose to attend Ohio State.

Ewers spent one season in Columbus, where he served as a backup behind Heisman Trophy finalist CJ Stroud. Despite his limited playing time, his raw talent was evident, and after one season, he transferred back to Texas in search of more opportunities to start and develop under the guidance of head coach Steve Sarkisian.

At Texas, Ewers has been a work in progress, demonstrating both flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency. His first year as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback showed promise, with a mix of highlight-reel plays and struggles with consistency, particularly in his decision-making and timing. Despite some early-growing pains, he helped lead Texas to a bowl game and showcased enough potential to keep scouts and analysts interested in his upside.

The NFL Draft Expert’s Crucial Questions About Ewers

As Quinn Ewers’s draft stock begins to take shape, NFL Draft experts have identified several crucial questions that could determine whether he is ready to transition from college football to the NFL. These questions are not unique to Ewers but are critical for any quarterback looking to make the leap to the professional level.

1. Can Ewers Improve His Decision-Making?

One of the most significant areas of concern for Quinn Ewers as he approaches the 2024 NFL Draft is his consistency with decision-making. Throughout his college career, Ewers has shown the ability to make incredible throws but has also struggled with timing and judgment, particularly when under pressure.

At the college level, quarterbacks are often able to get away with making more mistakes, as the competition isn’t always as consistent, and they have a better supporting cast. However, the NFL is a different animal, where defenses are faster, more complex, and more opportunistic. In the pros, even a slight mistake can lead to turnovers, missed opportunities, and losses.

Ewers will need to improve his ability to read defenses, understand situational football, and make quicker, smarter decisions. NFL Draft experts have noted that his mental processing in terms of reading defenses and adjusting on the fly will be critical for his success at the next level. While his arm talent may be undeniable, his ability to execute in high-pressure situations will ultimately define his potential as an NFL quarterback.

2. Is His Arm Talent Enough to Overcome Accuracy Issues?

Ewers is often praised for his arm strength, which allows him to make throws to all areas of the field with velocity and precision. However, one of the most discussed aspects of his game is his accuracy. While Ewers can make the deep throw look easy, his short and intermediate accuracy has been questioned. Accuracy issues, especially on routine passes, can significantly hinder a quarterback’s ability to succeed in the NFL.

NFL offenses are predicated on accuracy, especially in the passing game. Quarterbacks are asked to make quick, precise throws under pressure, and ball placement can often be the difference between a successful pass and an interception. Ewers will need to work on his mechanics, footwork, and touch to improve his accuracy in all areas of the field. While arm strength is a valuable asset, if Ewers can’t consistently place the ball where it needs to be, his potential will be limited.

3. Can Ewers Elevate His Play in Big Games?

Another question that NFL experts have raised regarding Ewers is his ability to perform in big-game situations. The college football landscape is filled with pressure-packed moments—whether it’s playing in rivalry games, conference championships, or bowl games—and it’s vital for a quarterback to show up when it matters most.

While Ewers has had strong performances throughout his career, there have been times when he has struggled in critical moments, particularly against elite teams. In high-stakes games, a quarterback’s poise, ability to stay calm under pressure, and make clutch throws is what separates good quarterbacks from great ones.

For Ewers, answering the question of whether he can consistently perform at the highest level in pressure situations will be key to his draft stock. NFL teams want quarterbacks who can handle the pressure of the biggest moments and lead their teams when it matters most. If Ewers is able to demonstrate growth in this area, it will boost his chances of being a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

4. How Will His Mobility Translate to the NFL?

While Quinn Ewers is not known for his scrambling ability, he is mobile enough to extend plays and evade pressure in the pocket. His athleticism allows him to make plays on the move, which is a valuable asset in today’s NFL, where mobile quarterbacks are becoming increasingly common.

However, the question remains: can Ewers’s mobility translate to success in the NFL? The NFL’s pocket is far less forgiving than college football, and even a mobile quarterback must be able to maintain pocket presence and make reads under duress. Ewers will need to show that he can maintain his poise and accuracy while moving in and out of the pocket. His ability to navigate the pocket and use his legs strategically will be an important aspect of his evaluation as an NFL prospect.

5. What Kind of System Fits Ewers’s Strengths?

Another crucial question surrounding Ewers’s future in the NFL is the type of offensive system that would best suit his strengths. Different quarterbacks thrive in different systems, and the key to success in the NFL is finding the right fit. Ewers is at his best when he is allowed to use his arm strength to make downfield throws and take advantage of play-action opportunities.

An NFL team with an offensive system that emphasizes deep passing, vertical routes, and a commitment to establishing the run could maximize Ewers’s skill set. However, he may struggle in a system that requires him to make quick, rhythm-based throws or demands heavy short-area accuracy.

Understanding how his abilities will mesh with NFL offenses is another crucial aspect of his evaluation. Teams will want to know how easily Ewers can adapt to different schemes and whether his physical tools will translate into success in the system they run.

The Path Ahead for Quinn Ewers

As Quinn Ewers prepares for the 2024 NFL Draft, there are several critical factors that will determine his draft position and future in the league. While his arm strength and physical talent are undeniable, questions about his consistency, accuracy, decision-making, and ability to perform in pressure situations remain areas for concern.

However, Ewers’s potential is undeniable. His strong arm and ability to make every throw are qualities that are highly valued by NFL teams, and with the right development and coaching, there is a clear path for him to succeed at the next level. His ability to prove that he can improve his weaknesses, especially in decision-making and accuracy, will be critical for his draft stock.

In the coming months, Ewers will need to continue to show growth, both on and off the field, as he prepares for the biggest stage of his career. For the Texas Longhorns, the future of Quinn Ewers will likely shape the trajectory of the program, and for NFL teams, they will need to carefully evaluate his potential as they determine where he fits in the next generation of quarterbacks.