3 Texas players who can be first-round 2025 NFL Draft picks
Quinn Ewers, QB
Most way-too-early 2025 mock drafts have redshirt junior Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers projected as an early-to-middle first-round pick. In a draft that has a few top quarterbacks vying for those early-first round slots in the 2025 draft, including Georgia's Carson Beck, Ole Miss's Jaxson Dart, and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, among others, Ewers has a chance to be a top 10 pick.
The 6-foot-2 and 205-pound Southlake, TX, native Ewers has many tools that NFL scouts want from a prototypical top-end pocket quarterback prospect in this day and age. Ewers has the arm talent that translates with strength, timing, and different angle throws.
In the last couple of years, Ewers has also tremendously improved his passing accuracy, completing a career-high for nearly 70 percent of his passing attempts in 2023.
If Ewers continues to improve his ability to time throws in tight windows and on deep balls down the sidelines, his draft stock could explode for next year.
Regarding his ability to make plays with his legs, Ewers did show more willingness to pick up key first downs and move the chains in the tight areas of the field in the red zone last season. At least before he suffered a shoulder injury in late October against Houston, Ewers was on pace for a career-high 39 scramble plays for over 200 rushing yards and double-digit rushing touchdowns.
I'm not saying Ewers will be this dynamic dual-threat quarterback at the next level. He's still more of that traditional pocket passer who can hit every blade of grass on the field with his tremendous arm talent.
But the fact of the matter is that Ewers adding another element to his game where he can pick up those key short-yardage first downs with those long strides when necessary is something that helps his draft stock in minor ways.
Ewers has all the pieces around him in this offense to have a successful season in 2024. He's in his third year as a starting quarterback, which is extremely valuable in Sarkisian's offense. This could also be the best offensive line Ewers has ever played behind at Texas, with four out of five starters returning in 2024.