Quinn Ewers’ NFL Draft Hopes Dashed as First Round Selection Looks Unlikely
The highly anticipated NFL Draft is set to take place this week, and Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers will be one of the top prospects waiting to hear his name called. However, according to reports, Ewers’ struggles in his final season in college have led to him falling down the draft boards, making a first-round selection increasingly unlikely. As reported by The Mirror, Ewers’ inconsistent performances as a pocket passer, combined with his multiple injuries and benching for Arch Manning at times, have raised concerns among NFL scouts.
Ewers, a five-star recruit, had been touted as one of the favorites to be the first overall pick heading into the 2023 season. His impressive resume, including a statement win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa, had many predicting a bright future for the young quarterback. However, his form in the 2024 season has led to a significant drop in his stock. As The Mirror notes, Ewers’ "tremendous skillset is still likely to see him selected on day two," where he’ll hope to be the next quarterback taken.
The surprise fall of Shedeur Sanders into the second round, which is expected to cost him millions, has opened up opportunities for other quarterbacks to be selected. Both Sanders and Jalen Milroe were not selected in the first round, and are now the two favorites to be the next two signal-callers picked. However, Ewers remains confident in his abilities, declaring himself the best quarterback in the class on Jon Gruden’s QB Camp video this past week.
Several teams are reportedly interested in Ewers, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are in need of a quarterback after moving on from Russell Wilson. The Steelers have not yet signed Aaron Rodgers and opted not to select Sanders in the first round. As The Mirror reports, Pittsburgh are certain to draft a quarterback, with as many as six likely to be drafted over the next two days.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks are also seen as likely destinations for Ewers. The Raiders have signed Geno Smith to a three-year deal, but know that he’s coming towards the end of his career and could do with an insurance plan behind him. The Seahawks, meanwhile, have only drafted two quarterbacks in the last 13 years (Russell Wilson and Alex McGough), with general manager John Schneider name-dropping Ewers two years ago as a quarterback he’d been watching.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Rams could be looking for a long-term quarterback with Matt Stafford potentially retiring after the 2025 season. As The Mirror notes, Ewers may also have interest from the Rams, who are looking to secure their quarterback position for the future.
In conclusion, while Ewers’ NFL dreams may not have materialized in the first round, his prospects of being selected in the second round remain high. As The Mirror reports, Ewers’ skillset and confidence in his abilities make him an attractive prospect for teams looking to strengthen their quarterback position. With several teams interested in his services, Ewers will be hoping to hear his name called on day two of the NFL Draft.
