"Not a second-round pick": NFL analyst delivers clear verdict on Quinn Ewers as Texas QB faces tough draft decision

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, a former five-star recruit, still hasn't decided on whether to remain a collegian or enter April's NFL draft. It's entirely possible the Longhorns prefer to hand the keys to Arch Manning next season, further clouding matters.

The general conclusion on Ewers' draft stock isn't clear, either. For NFL insider Field Yates, though, it's obvious. He shared his thoughts on ESPN's "First Draft" podcast on Thursday.

"My view of Quinn Ewers right now is not a first-round pick," Yates, who'd previously worked on the Kansas City Chiefs' and New England Patriots' scouting and coaching staffs, said. "I'm not sure he's a second-round pick, based on some of the things that I have seen this season, even with some of the good that we saw (in the Peach Bowl).

"If you're a player that might be on the fringe of being a second- or third-round pick, and there's an opportunity to play for a handful of million dollars for an extra year of college football — which that's what the landscape is for the highest-profile quarterbacks."

Yates added that Ewers "certainly is" in that echelon. But there are red flags.

Quinn Ewers didn't play as effectively in the Longhorns' two games against Georgia this year — one in the SEC Championship Game — as he did earlier in the season on the road against Michigan and opposite Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Yates saw some struggles stepping up in the pocket and buying extra time.

"The arm strength is not terrific," Yates said. "Some of the downfield accuracy can be inconsistent. ... Part of the reason why the conversation about Quinn is gonna continue to be ongoing until we get to the draft is because there are some traits this season I have not seen —and I believe NFL evaluators have not yet seen — at a super high level."

Upside for Quinn Ewers

That's not to say there aren't any positive signs. Field Yates was particularly encouraged by Quinn Ewers' showing late in the double overtime win over the Arizona State Sun Devils in a do-or-die circumstance in the Peach Bowl.

"They got a look, Cover-0 look, did Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense on that fourth-and-13," Yates said. "Gotta-have-it play. You don't convert, the game is over. He decides to just essentially change the entire play, which opens up a man-beating route concept that he converts on a beautiful throw down the field. ... The accuracy can be very good. The poise in some big games can be very good."

A driving factor for Quinn Ewers to forgo one more season on the college level is to get a financial clock ticking.

"Obviously, the faster you get to the NFL, the faster you are to the second contract – which would be the life-altering contract for these guys," Yates said. "But you've got to be good enough to earn that second contract. I think Quinn would benefit from one more season in college football."