NFL coaches, executives give brutal takes on Quinn Ewers ahead of NFL Draft

Every NFL Draft highly values quarterbacks within it, both those who are set to go in the first round and those who may slide later into the draft. That value can also come with some added criticism, though, and that’s a challenge that Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers is now dealing with going into draft day.

Ahead of the draft, several coaches and executives spoke to NFL.com, sharing their thoughts on the quarterback class. Ewers was among the names who came up, ranking sixth overall among the available quarterbacks. Along with that came a projection that he’d be selected in the third or fourth round of the draft.

One NFC quarterbacks coach spoke anonymously about Ewers. While he did praise his character, the coach has other concerns that could hamper Ewers’ transition to the NFL. Those concerns could turn him into a developmental prospect at the next level.

“Real smart, great kid, real self-aware,” an NFC quarterbacks coach said. “Just the arm strength and some of the decision-making (are concerns). He’s going to have a big jump, too, just as far as what’s asked of him at the next level. But he’s somebody you can see develop, develop, develop and then — bang! Because there’s a competitor there that’s hard to teach and there’s an intelligence factor there that’s hard to teach.” 

Quinn Ewers was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He initially went to Ohio State before transferring to Texas, where he would see the field consistently as the starter for three seasons. Along the way, he helped get Texas back to the College Football Playoff and was a second-team All-SEC performer in 2024.

Unfortunately, that college career has come with downsides too. Notably, he’s suffered injury issues and, combined with his size or lack of size, has some executives worried about the next level. That’s before one AFC executive emphasized that he doesn’t see him as an NFL starter.

“He’s a good player. He’s got timing and anticipation. He’s been coached well. And Steve — I think they’re a little careful,” an AFC executive said. “But he’s more player than talent. He’s just not a big kid [6-2 1/8, 214]. He’s been hurt every year since high school. The arm’s very average. There’s not a lot of talent there. He’s not a starter. He’s a distributor. He’s a point guard. He ain’t going to push it down the field.”

In his final year at Texas, Quinn Ewers suffered an oblique injury. That cost him some time and seemed to impact him throughout the season. One AFC coordinator didn’t like what he saw in Ewers’ mechanics, and while it’s hard to say if that injury impacted how he threw the ball, it all contributes to those concerns that many people around the league have shared.

“The Texas kid, I wasn’t a fan of,” an AFC coordinator said. “He can hit short and intermediate, but he’s like an all-arm thrower. He never uses his lower body and he’s not accurate down the field.”

Along with the oblique injury, Ewers has also dealt with injuries going back to high school. That has included multiple shoulder issues, which has hurt his arm strength. In the NFL, that’s a massive deal, and an assistant coach in the NFL emphasized.

“There’s just no juice in his body,” an NFC assistant coach said. “He’s little. Arm strength lacks. Athleticism lacks. I don’t really know the upside of that kid. When you put their film on and (Arch) Manning comes in the game, the ball is just jumping off his hand in comparison.”

The 2025 NFL Draft gets underway Thursday night with Round 1 from Green Bay. Rounds 2 and 3 will take place Friday, and Rounds 4-7 will close things out on Saturday. Where Quinn Ewers lands remains to be seen.