Why the Slide Series
This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player and/or the reasons other teams passed on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media’s expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”
Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
The Expectations
Throughout the 2025 NFL Draft process, the consensus view was that Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers would be a mid-round pick. Ewers was coming off a college career that saw him elevate the Texas program and return it to competing for the college football National Championship. In 2023, Ewers completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Ewers led the Longhorns to a spot in the college football playoff before Texas lost to Washington. In his final season of college football, Ewers completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,472 yards with 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He helped Texas advance to the Semifinals, but Ewers had an unimpressive game in a loss to Ohio State. During pre-draft workouts, Ewers showed a quality arm and passing talent. Thus, it was a surprise when Ewers slid to very late in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The ‘Why’
In speaking to team sources, Ewers was underwhelming in team interviews during the pre-draft process and that hurt him with teams. Even though he could have transferred and made a lot more NIL money in college football, sources say that Ewers seemed bitter about being pushed out of Texas for Arch Manning. Ewers did not come across all that well in interviews and had some flaws on tape that turned off some scouts. A lack of composure was a big criticism from team sources, and they felt that Ewers was prone to getting rattled when under steady pass rush. On top of those issues, Ewers is not a great athlete or dynamic runner. While he has arm talent, he does not have an elite arm or passing ability. Thus, all of that combined to cause Ewers to slide.
The Miami Dolphins ended Ewers’ slide in the seventh round, and that was a fantastic landing spot. Ewers can compete immediately with Zach Wilson for the backup spot. Wilson was a huge bust for the Jets with the second-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and four years into his career, he is already a journeyman. Wilson will probably be the backup to start the 2025 season, but Ewers is capable of passing him on the depth chart. On top of the backup spot being up for grabs, starter Tua Tagovailoa has been injury-prone, and one more concussion or head injury could end his career. Ewers also landed in a good offense that suits him well, with a strong offensive mind in Mike McDaniel there to develop him. Ewers should have returned to college football, and probably is disappointed in sliding to the seventh round, but he landed in an excellent spot to establish a pro career.
2026 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Power Rankings - May 16
Fantasy Football Rankings - May 10
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
