Quinn Ewers’ journey from a top-tier NFL prospect to a projected third or fourth-round pick is a doomed fairytale. Of course, he had strong numbers in Texas, finishing with 3,400 passing yards and 31 touchdowns in 2024. However, this performance becomes questionable when considering his inconsistencies, high interception ratio (12 in a single season), and inability to deliver in crucial moments. Quinn has had a buffer as Steve Sarkisian persevered with his QB1 despite the former’s injury setback. But that’s not enough to convince the NFL scouts to take a chance on him in earlier rounds. Now, we have takes from Jay Gruden and Colt McCoy to further that narrative.

Ewers has been a powerhouse for Texas for years in terms of productivity and leadership. It’s palpable that his torn oblique injury and the high-ankle sprain kept him apart from pulling out his best in some games. He missed a few games, allowing Arch Manning to step up and play in games against UL Monroe and Mississippi State. But don’t shake it up yet. Quinn remained in the lineup, bouncing back every time he threw an interception. However, the negative narratives are not without a reason. Remember his turnover in the dying moments against Ohio State in the CFB semifinal? That gave the game to the Buckeyes on a platter. Even in the SEC Championship game against the Bulldogs, Ewers couldn’t lead the offense in the second half, losing to a Gunner Stockton-led Dawgs’ offense.

All of these put doubts on whether Quinn Ewers can straightaway become a starting QB for an NFL team. Gruden and McCoy think the same. “I am drafting him to be a backup type guy,” Jay Gruden dropped a bombshell on the April 11th episode of The Clean Pocket podcast. Colt McCoy caught the flow and continued, “I have thrown the ball around with him, but I think he throws a very catchable football. He is not really working hard to throw it. The downside is that when he pushes down the ball, that just kind of floats. I have seen so many free safeties pick up and go balls. That should never happen, right?” 

Even though we can settle the dust of a lackluster season, Quinn has literally given room to the naysayers to flourish during his Combine and Pro Day performances. At Indianapolis, the Texas QB showed a few flashes of brilliance but couldn’t sustain the momentum. He threw a few deep balls with commendable touch but struggled with the routes over some early middle passes. Being catchable doesn’t help, after all, if you’re largely off-target.

“What sets his skills apart from backups and 13 quarterbacks?” McCoy asked. Jay threw his status on the bus, saying, “I just don’t know what it is. His athleticism? No. Size? No. Arm talent? Not really. Third downs? Like when you don’t really know what the coverage is going to be. He has struggled in those areas to be able to react and adjust. If anybody thinks he is going to come one and start, then there are better options than Quinn at this point in the National Football League.”

That’s what it comes down to. There are a few other QBs in those third and fourth-round mock drafts with Quinn. For instance, Jalen Milroe. However, if we consider Gruden’s answer, Milroe’s athleticism sets him apart from other QBs. The same can be said of his deep balls. That doesn’t apply to Quinn, unfortunately.

A really tough pill to swallow for Quinn Ewers and his all-time advocate, Steve Sarkisian. Things can still be an easy settlement if the Saints don’t seem to find an alternative to proceed with. But now, it turned out to be a ‘missed all the boats’ case for Quinn.

Can Quinn Ewers’ projected Saints future be in jeopardy? 

The Black and Gold are hosting a quarterback on one of their 30 official visits before the 2025 NFL draft, and it’s none other than the Texas Longhorns prospect Quinn Ewers. Amidst all the dwindling stock debate, the New Orleans Saints have long been interested in the Texas QB. They first met him during the NFL Combine formal interview. He also attended a dinner party with several teammates alongside coach Kellen Moore and others ahead of his Pro Day.

Moore has been eagle-eyed when it comes to judging the quality of a throw. He has seen Quinn throw from the zoomed-in view and didn’t seem to be unimpressed. But drafting him at No. 40 still feels far-fetched. They will definitely have more closures on Ewers’ worth and their needs, but only if Shedeur Sanders doesn’t turn out to be a last-minute spoilsport.

In a game-changing twist, CBS’ Tom Fornelli suggested. “The Saints move back into the first round to draft Shedeur Sanders, whom I’m sure has been shown on the television broadcast no fewer than 1,500 times at this point, with countless updates on his body language.”

Also, Deion Sanders is keeping a close eye on the Saints. He recently posted a sneaky reaction to ESPN’s Louis Riddick, hinting Sanders is a good fit for Derek Carr’s alternative. “That 9th pick gonna be all kinds of interesting,” the ESPN mogul tweeted and earned a couple of creepy eye emojis from Sanders. If you can read between the lines, you’d better know what he means. A kick in the head for Quinn Ewers? Well, only time can double down.