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Quinn Ewers gives QB-needy teams something to consider
Quinn Ewers passes during Texas pro day. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Quinn Ewers gives QB-needy teams something to consider at Texas pro day

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns pro day on Tuesday featured 21 players, but quarterback Quinn Ewers was the main attraction.

Rookie New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore and rookie New York Jets HC Aaron Glenn attended Texas pro day. Although the Saints have QB Derek Carr and the Jets signed QB Justin Fields in free agency, both teams could still draft a passer, perhaps the Texas star.

Ewers (6-foot-2, 214 pounds) didn't participate in the bench press, 40-yard dash, broad jump or three-cone drill, but he threw.

His throwing session didn't get off to an ideal start. He bobbled a snap from Longhorns center Jake Majors and dropped the ball. After that, the 22-year-old showed Glenn and Moore why he could be a good investment for their teams. 

Ewers completed 50 of 59 attempts in the session. Four of his incompletions were drops. He also showed how he excels at throwing in the short and intermediate areas of the field.

More importantly, Ewers showcased an improved deep ball when he connected with Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond on a pass that was nearly 60 yards.

One of the knocks on Ewers throughout the predraft process has been whether he can push the ball downfield at the next level. 

Per Pro Football Focus, he completed 38.2% of his deep passes in 14 games in 2024 (min. 48 attempts), 59th in the FBS. PFF defines deep passes as those that travel at least 20 yards from the line of scrimmage through the air. 

Ewers didn't speak with the media after he threw. However, Bond explained why NFL pass-catchers may like playing with the QB.  

"[Ewers] is one of the vast majority of reasons I came here. He's an elite pocket passer," the Alabama transfer said. "He can throw the ball any different way: outside, back shoulder, above or below a defender. So, to catch from a guy like that is amazing."  

Ewers has areas where he could still grow, specifically at extending plays with his legs. Per PFF, he posted a below-average 41.6 pressure grade in 2024. This may be one reason teams are unwilling to use a first-rounder on Ewers. Bleacher Report's Dame Parson gave him a third-round grade in his January scouting report. 

Still, Ewers — who guided the Longhorns to two College Football Playoff appearances in three seasons — likely raised his stock at Texas pro day. He seems to have plenty of arm talent, which could make him an intriguing project for the Jets, Saints or another QB-needy team.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. 

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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