Daniel Jeremiah: Texas' Quinn Ewers Has Upside Similar to Bucs' Baker Mayfield

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah broke down the tape on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers recently, and he sees "similar upside and potential" along the likes of Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Baker Mayfield.

"He reminds me of: I couldn't come up with a perfect comp for Ewers after studying the three games. The first name that popped into my head was a throwback to my younger days as a scout: Kevin Kolb. Something about Ewers' delivery and play style evoked that old-school name. However, the more game tape I watched, the more I thought of Baker Mayfield. Both guys have a quick twitch in everything they do -- seeing the field, setting up in the pocket and delivering the ball.

"There's a moxie and playmaking skill set to build around with both guys. Mayfield has really blossomed in Tampa Bay after bouncing around the league for the past few years. I don't think Ewers is quite as polished as Mayfield was at the same point in his college career, but I do see similar upside and potential."

Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, endured an up-and-down pro career from 2018 to 2022. However, he thrived in his first year in Tampa Bay last season, amassing career-highs in passing yards (4,044) and passing touchdowns (28). He also earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career.

Ewers just led Texas to the College Football Playoff, completing 69.0 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards (8.8 yards per attempt) and 22 touchdowns (six interceptions). He's back again as the team's QB1, and it will be interesting to see if he's able to raise his draft stock with another great year.

There's debate on where he ranks right now in the 2025 draft.

Derrik Klassen for Bleacher Report had this to say in April.

"Ewers is a popular name at the top of the class, but he's more of an idea than anything right now. The recruiting prestige and raw arm talent only go so far in my eyes.

"For now, he's a Drew Lock type of prospect: A fine Day 2 gamble with immense arm talent but far from a guarantee to develop into a franchise prospect."

Dane Brugler of The Athletic notably has Ewers as his QB2 in the 2025 class.

We'll find out down the road about Ewers' pro prospects, but for now, he and the Longhorns are shooting for a national title. That road begins Aug. 31 against Colorado State.