NFL draft evaluators gush over Texas QB Quinn Ewers' development despite injury status
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is quickly making more fans across the NFL world. The fourth-year junior is dealing with an oblique injury right now, opening the door for Arch Manning, but he's impressed 2025 NFL Draft pundits up until this point. He's absolutely a riser in draft rankings. Development isn't linear, and it can be […]
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is quickly making more fans across the NFL world. The fourth-year junior is dealing with an oblique injury right now, opening the door for Arch Manning, but he's impressed 2025 NFL Draft pundits up until this point. He's absolutely a riser in draft rankings.
Development isn't linear, and it can be difficult to see how any individual learns and applies concepts weekly or even yearly. That's especially true at quarterback, where a passer has to deal with defenses throwing new wrenches their way constantly.
Recently, a host of ESPN draft evaluators debated this season's early results. They named Ewers as the quarterback who has stood out the most. Let's look at their analysis.
Both Mel Kiper Jr. and Matt Miller, two of the four lead analysts for the piece, named Ewers as the most impressive QB thus far. The other two named Miami's Cam Ward and Kiper also mentioned Jalen Milroe.
Kiper lauded Ewers' impressive statistical jump, citing his 691 passing yards, 73.4% completion rate, 8 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. The veteran analyst loves how Ewers plays in big games, and moved Ewers up to No. 9 overall on his big board. Here's what he said.
Well, at least until Saturday, when he left the Longhorns' game against UTSA with an injury. There's some uncertainty now, but let's look at what he has done on the field: 691 passing yards, 73.4% completion rate, 8 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. Last season, he went to Alabama and had a huge early outing. This season, he had a marquee game against Michigan in Week 2, throwing three TDs in the Big House. I really like what I've seen from the 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior, and I recently slid him up to No. 9 on my Big Board.
Matt Miller added the following:
Yeah, I agree. Ewers has taken a big jump in terms of processing speed, decision-making and taking what the defense gives him. It was needed after he was plagued with ill-timed turnovers and poor decisions in 2023, despite a 22-6 TD-to-INT ratio. The game has slowed down for the 21-year-old Ewers. His Week 2 performance against Michigan (24-of-36, 246 yards and 3 TDs) showed his maturity as a passer. He's working through progressions with pro-level speed, finding open targets and working the ball to the open man instead of forcing touches.
He had an overthrow early against UTSA that led to an interception, and then left in the second quarter with an oblique strain. But combining his experience and confidence with his plus-level arm talent and mobility will help Ewers make a strong case for QB1 status — as long as his Week 3 injury isn't a long-term issue.
The notable parts here have been bolded. Miller has nailed it. Ewers has always been a gifted thrower, but the nuance and mental part of his game was lacking. There are still mistakes that need to be cleaned up, notably reacting to pressure better.
But moments like this are undeniable. There aren't more than a dozen better pure passers in the NFL than Ewers is right now, and his 2023 development is a great sign of what can be next in his NFL future.
