The latest NFL mock draft has Texas QB Quin Ewers slotted to go 39th overall in the second round to the Cleveland Browns, which would officially signal the end of Deshaun Watsons reign as QB1 in Cleveland.
Even expert analysts have found Ewers difficult to place in draft discussions, with projections ranging with the widest net. Some mock drafts have the Texas star sneaking into the first round as high as pick No. 27 to the Seattle Seahawks, while others suggest he might go undrafted altogether.
The mock draft splits the difference, predicting Ewers as the fourth quarterback taken behind Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders [No. 2], Miami’s Cam Ward [No. 3], and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe [No. 38]. If the Browns select Ewers, hell enter a franchise with an injured franchise cornerstone and a fiery backup in Jameis Winston, who always has starting aspirations, should he remain with the team.
Other quarterbacks, such as Georgia’s Carson Beck, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, appear in the draft after Ewers. The mock suggests Dart faces the greatest odds of not being selected, while Ewers remains a borderline first-round talent depending on team needs and preferences.
Watsons underwhelming performances and off-field controversies have left Cleveland searching for stability at the quarterback position. He won just one game this season out of seven starts before having season-ending surgery in October to repair his Achilles.
Should Ewers declare for the NFL Draft, it would officially hand the Longhorns reins to a phenom in Manning, the highly touted freshman and footballs royal family member. Arch has already demonstrated his potential to lead the program after he stepped in for an injured Ewers earlier this season and led Texas to victories over UL Monroe and Mississippi State.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has repeatedly stated that a healthy Ewers is the teams starter. Mannings impressive performances in limited action have fueled excitement for whats to come once the torch is passed. Ewers’ 2023 campaign has been a statistical dip compared to his standout 2022 season. His accuracy has dropped from 69 percent to 67 percent, and while he has thrown more touchdowns, hes also seen an increase in interceptions.
Should Ewers not enter the draft, NFL experts still believe that he won’t return to the Longhorns as the program reportedly prefers to move forward with Manning. Mel Kiper has the Texas QB as the sixth-best prospect, and reports suggest that if Ewers wants to continue playing college football, he’ll have no issues making top NIL money in a brand-new program with as much acclaim as Texas or better.
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