Quinn Ewers of Texas NFL Draft Prospects: Examining the Top 5 Destinations for the Longhorns Quarterback
As the 2024 college football season winds down, one of the most intriguing players to watch heading into the NFL Draft is Quinn Ewers, the quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. With a blend of prototypical size, a strong arm, and an impressive ceiling, Ewers has captured the attention of NFL scouts and analysts alike. His journey from high school prodigy to highly touted prospect at Texas has been a remarkable one, and the next step will likely be his entry into the NFL. As he prepares to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s worth examining the potential destinations for Ewers based on team needs, fit, and his individual skill set.
In this article, we will break down the top five destinations for Quinn Ewers, analyzing how he fits with these teams and what his future might look like in their respective systems.
1. Indianapolis Colts
Team Overview
The Indianapolis Colts have been searching for stability at the quarterback position since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement in 2019. Over the last few seasons, the team has cycled through several quarterbacks, including Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and rookie Anthony Richardson, with mixed results. While Richardson has shown flashes of potential in his rookie season, there is still uncertainty surrounding his long-term development, especially as a passer. This creates an opportunity for a quarterback like Ewers to step in and potentially develop into the franchise quarterback the Colts have been desperately seeking.
Why Ewers Fits
Quinn Ewers’ blend of arm strength, size, and mobility would be an excellent match for the Colts’ offensive system. Head coach Shane Steichen, formerly the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, has experience working with mobile quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts. While Ewers is not as mobile as Hurts, he has enough athleticism to escape pressure and make plays on the move. His arm strength would also be a great asset in a system that relies on pushing the ball downfield, which is part of Steichen’s offensive philosophy.
Additionally, Ewers would benefit from the Colts’ solid offensive line, which should provide him with adequate protection as he develops. With a talented running back in Jonathan Taylor and a promising young receiving corps that includes Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Josh Downs, Ewers would have the weapons at his disposal to succeed early in his career.
Potential Roadblocks
One concern with Ewers is his consistency. While he has shown flashes of brilliance at Texas, he has also been prone to bouts of inconsistency, particularly with accuracy. Steichen and the Colts’ coaching staff would need to focus on refining Ewers’ mechanics and decision-making in order to maximize his potential at the next level.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Team Overview
The Atlanta Falcons have been in the midst of a quarterback search since Matt Ryan’s departure in 2022. The team brought in veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder in 2023, but it remains unclear if Ridder is the long-term answer. In a division that has become increasingly competitive with the emergence of teams like the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, the Falcons need to find a quarterback who can elevate their offense and lead them back to playoff contention.
Why Ewers Fits
Ewers would be an excellent fit for the Falcons’ offense, particularly due to his arm strength and ability to push the ball down the field. Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, Dave Ragone, runs a system that emphasizes the play-action game and creating explosive plays in the passing game. Ewers has the necessary arm talent to excel in this type of offense, especially with the Falcons’ stable of weapons.
The Falcons have one of the league’s best young running backs in Bijan Robinson, who would help ease the transition for Ewers, as the running game would force defenses to respect the run. This could open up opportunities for Ewers to take deep shots to wide receivers like Drake London and Kyle Pitts, who have the potential to become one of the NFL’s most dynamic duos.
Potential Roadblocks
A major concern for Ewers in Atlanta would be the Falcons’ offensive line play. While the Falcons’ offensive line has been solid, it’s not always been elite. Ewers would need to learn how to deal with pressure, and there might be an initial adjustment period in dealing with the speed of the NFL. Additionally, Ewers will have to prove that he can improve his decision-making and reduce the number of turnovers, as the Falcons’ offense would need a consistent, efficient quarterback to thrive in a competitive NFC South division.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
Team Overview
The Las Vegas Raiders have undergone a significant overhaul in recent seasons, with the team parting ways with long-time quarterback Derek Carr in favor of a more transitional quarterback approach. In 2023, the Raiders brought in veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to be the starting quarterback, but there have been questions about his ability to lead the team long-term. The Raiders’ offense is loaded with talent, including wide receiver Davante Adams, tight end Michael Mayer, and running back Josh Jacobs. However, the team has been unable to find consistency at quarterback, which has limited its ability to truly contend in the AFC.
Why Ewers Fits
Ewers’ raw talent and arm strength would make him an intriguing prospect in Las Vegas, especially considering the Raiders’ focus on explosive passing plays. Under head coach Josh McDaniels, the Raiders utilize an offense that can take advantage of a quarterback with Ewers’ deep-ball accuracy and arm strength. The presence of a top-tier receiver like Adams would provide Ewers with a proven target, and he could develop into a similar kind of playmaker that has made Garoppolo successful in McDaniels’ system.
Moreover, the Raiders have a solid offensive line and a proven running game with Jacobs, which would allow Ewers to ease into the NFL without being forced to carry the offense immediately. The Raiders’ offensive scheme could be a good fit for Ewers’ development, especially if the team opts to build around a young quarterback with a high ceiling.
Potential Roadblocks
The main concern with Ewers in Las Vegas would be the Raiders’ relatively unstable organizational environment. The team has undergone frequent coaching changes and turnover, which could make it difficult for Ewers to develop in a stable system. Additionally, Ewers will need to improve his decision-making, as turnovers have been a common issue for quarterbacks in McDaniels’ system. If Ewers can prove his consistency, he could help lead the Raiders into a new era of contention.
4. Tennessee Titans
Team Overview
The Tennessee Titans are another team in search of a quarterback who can lead them into a new era. With Ryan Tannehill nearing the end of his career, the Titans have started to look for a successor who can carry the offense moving forward. The team has a strong foundation, including one of the NFL’s best running backs in Derrick Henry and a solid defense. However, inconsistent quarterback play has held the Titans back in recent seasons, preventing them from making a deep playoff run.
Why Ewers Fits
Ewers’ skill set would be a great complement to the Titans’ offense, which is built around the running game with Henry. A quarterback like Ewers, who can make throws from the pocket and extend plays with his legs when necessary, would fit well in a system that emphasizes play-action and physicality. Ewers’ strong arm would also be an asset in a system that often looks for deep shots downfield to wide receivers like Treylon Burks.
Additionally, the Titans’ offensive line and running game would give Ewers a relatively smooth transition to the NFL, as he wouldn’t have to shoulder the entire offensive load right away. The Titans are a team that can build around a young quarterback, and Ewers would have the opportunity to grow in a relatively low-pressure environment compared to other teams in the league.
Potential Roadblocks
One potential obstacle for Ewers in Tennessee is the team’s limited pass-catching talent. While Burks has potential, the Titans’ wide receiver group is not as talented as some of the other teams on this list. Ewers would need to prove that he can elevate those around him, and it might take some time for him to find his rhythm with the receiving corps. However, if the Titans can add more weapons to their offense in the coming seasons, Ewers could be the piece that helps them return to prominence in the AFC South.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Team Overview
The Minnesota Vikings are a team with a proven veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins, but it is clear that the franchise needs to start planning for the future. While Cousins has been a reliable signal caller for many years, he is entering the latter stages of his career, and the Vikings will need to find a successor in the near future. Minnesota is a team that has been on the verge of championship contention for several seasons, and the right quarterback could be the missing piece to help the team take the next step.
Why Ewers Fits
The Vikings’ offense, led by head coach Kevin O’Connell, is built around balance and play-action. Ewers’ ability to make deep throws down the field would work well with the Vikings’ offensive style, which often looks to take advantage of Justin Jefferson’s ability to stretch the field. Ewers’ arm strength and playmaking ability could make him an ideal quarterback to work with the dynamic receiving corps in Minnesota, which also includes young talent like Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Additionally, the Vikings have a solid offensive line and a productive running game, led by star running back Alexander Mattison. Ewers would benefit from this balance, as it would allow him to focus on developing his passing game without being forced into difficult situations early on.
Potential Roadblocks
One potential concern is that the Vikings are in a win-now mode, and they might be hesitant to turn the reins over to a rookie quarterback if they still believe they can contend for a Super Bowl with Cousins. However, if Minnesota decides to make a change at quarterback in the near future, Ewers could be a great long-term solution to lead the team into its next phase of contention.
