As the 2024 NFL Draft looms large, college football prospects are beginning to rise and fall on scouts’ boards, with media analysts chiming in on who could be the next star to make the jump from college to the pros. Among the highly anticipated players for the upcoming draft, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has generated a significant amount of buzz — but not all of it has been glowing.
Todd McShay, one of ESPN’s most well-respected draft analysts, recently offered a rather harsh critique of Ewers’ performance and potential, which has since sparked a wave of conversation and debate among college football and NFL Draft circles. McShay, known for his brutal honesty and sharp insights, laid out what he saw as significant shortcomings in the Texas signal-caller’s game, raising questions about whether Ewers will live up to the lofty expectations many had placed on him at the start of the season.
In this blog post, we’ll break down McShay’s ruthless take on Ewers, what it means for the young quarterback’s draft stock, and how NFL teams should evaluate him as the 2024 Draft approaches.
### **1. Quinn Ewers: A Highly Touted Prospect**
When Quinn Ewers committed to the University of Texas, his hype was off the charts. The former No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2021, Ewers chose Texas over other powerhouses like Alabama and Ohio State, leading many to believe that he would be the next in a long line of elite quarterbacks to emerge from the college football scene.
Ewers’ pedigree and natural arm talent were undeniable. A big-armed, physically gifted passer, Ewers had the kind of traits that NFL scouts drooled over: a cannon for an arm, impressive mobility for a quarterback, and the kind of leadership that made him an instant star. After sitting behind C.J. Stroud at Ohio State for a season, Ewers transferred to Texas, where expectations only continued to grow.
In his first season as the Texas Longhorns’ starting quarterback in 2022, Ewers flashed potential but was also inconsistent. He showcased incredible arm strength and showed moments of brilliance, but there were glaring issues in terms of decision-making and consistency, which raised concerns about his readiness for the NFL.
Heading into the 2023 season, the hope was that Ewers would take the next step. Texas had a loaded roster, and many believed this would be the year Ewers would solidify himself as a top-tier quarterback prospect. However, McShay’s comments suggest that this hasn’t necessarily been the case.
### **2. McShay’s Ruthless Critique of Ewers**
During a recent appearance on ESPN, Todd McShay did not hold back when discussing Quinn Ewers’ performance and his projection for the NFL Draft. McShay, known for his forthright analysis, was quick to point out the red flags that continue to plague Ewers despite his potential.
“Ewers has a lot of physical tools, no question about it. But when you really break down his game, there are a lot of things that just don’t translate at the next level,” McShay said. “The inconsistency is the biggest thing. He’s still very raw, and it’s hard for me to look at him and say he’s ready for the NFL in 2024.”
McShay’s comments centered around several key issues in Ewers’ game:
1. **Inconsistent Decision-Making:**
McShay’s primary critique was Ewers’ tendency to make poor decisions, especially under pressure. Ewers, at times, has struggled to read defenses quickly and make the right decisions in real time. McShay pointed out that while Ewers has all the physical tools, his decision-making doesn’t always reflect the maturity needed at the next level.
“There are too many times when Ewers tries to force the ball into tight windows, or he gets caught locking onto his primary receiver. In the NFL, you just can’t get away with that,” McShay noted.
At times, Ewers’ aggressiveness has worked in his favor, but it has also led to costly turnovers and missed opportunities. NFL defenses are far more sophisticated than what Ewers faces in college, and McShay believes this issue could be a major obstacle in his development.
2. **Inconsistent Accuracy:**
Another point McShay brought up was Ewers’ inconsistency with his accuracy, particularly on intermediate and short throws. While Ewers has the ability to make jaw-dropping throws down the field with his rocket arm, he’s shown that he struggles to keep the ball on target on simpler passes, especially when throwing on the move.
McShay emphasized that for all of Ewers’ deep-ball success, his inability to consistently hit intermediate routes, especially with touch, could be a major issue at the next level.
“You can’t just be a one-trick pony in the NFL,” McShay continued. “Yes, Ewers can throw the ball deep, but he needs to show he can hit the easy throws under pressure, and that’s something he hasn’t consistently done.”
3. **Footwork and Mechanics:**
McShay also noted that Ewers’ footwork and mechanics are a work in progress. The quarterback’s base can often get narrow, leading to poor balance and, at times, leading to off-target throws. While the arm talent is there, McShay suggested that Ewers will need significant work on his mechanics if he’s to succeed in the NFL.
“There are too many instances where his footwork doesn’t align with the throw, and that leads to inaccurate passes,” McShay explained. “At the NFL level, those mistakes are more likely to be amplified and turn into turnovers.”
### **3. The Implications for Ewers’ NFL Draft Stock**
McShay’s brutal take on Ewers raises significant questions about his stock heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. For a quarterback with as much raw potential as Ewers, his inconsistency is a red flag for teams that might be looking for a more polished product.
Historically, the NFL Draft has seen its fair share of quarterbacks with immense physical talent, only to see them struggle at the next level due to issues like those McShay highlighted. For every Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen who succeeded despite rawness, there have been several other quarterbacks who couldn’t make the leap from college to the pros.
With McShay pointing out these glaring issues, it’s reasonable to wonder whether teams will be willing to take a chance on Ewers in the first round, as many had predicted before the season began. While his arm talent is undeniable, it may not be enough to push him up draft boards without significant improvement in areas like decision-making, accuracy, and mechanics.
For Ewers to truly cement his place as a top pick, he’ll need to show substantial growth over the final stretch of the 2023 season, and perhaps more importantly, during the NFL Draft process. His pro day, interviews, and potential combine performance will play a large role in how he’s evaluated by teams. If Ewers can demonstrate a better command of his decision-making, accuracy, and mechanics in the coming months, his stock could bounce back.
### **4. NFL Teams to Watch**
Despite McShay’s reservations, it’s unlikely that Ewers will completely fall off the radar. The NFL is a league that values quarterback potential above almost all else, and with his elite arm strength and physical tools, Ewers will likely still be viewed as a project that could pay off in the right situation.
Teams that are looking for a quarterback to develop behind a veteran or who have the resources to work on his flaws could take a chance on Ewers. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and even the New Orleans Saints could be in the market for a high-upside quarterback, and they might see Ewers as a long-term investment.
### **5. Conclusion: A Long Road Ahead for Ewers**
Todd McShay’s take on Quinn Ewers isn’t one that many would have anticipated at the beginning of the 2023 season, but it’s a reflection of the quarterback’s continuing struggles with consistency and maturity. The hype around Ewers is still alive, but the concerns that McShay raised can’t be ignored.
As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, Ewers will need to prove that he can refine his mechanics, improve his decision-making, and show he can handle the rigors of the NFL. His journey to the pros is far from over, and the next few months could determine whether he’s seen as a top-tier quarterback prospect or a developmental project for a team willing to take a risk on his immense physical talent.
For now, McShay’s critique is a wake-up call for Ewers and those evaluating him, offering a reminder that raw potential alone won’t be enough to secure a top draft spot — the NFL requires far more than that.