The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching and many expected Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers to be one of the most sought-after prospects. However, the buzz surrounding him has been overshadowed by Arch Manning, but why?
Ewers, who led the Longhorns to back-to-back College Football Playoffs semifinals, had the side thriving under his leadership before they came up short against the Ohio State Buckeyes; who went on to win the national championship.
But strangely, the hype around him is being dominated by the back-up at the same time as fans wonder just how far Manning can actually go, despite Ewers producing a 27-9 record with 6,951 347 yards and 53 touchdowns from 2023-2025.
Despite the 21-year-old’s strong statistics, there are big concerns about his mobility in the pocket and his history of injuries have led analysts to predict a drop in his draft stock, with teams unconvinced.
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This could progress to the point teams ignore him entirely to pick Manning. That’s despite the 19-year-old not even entering the 2025 NFL Draft as some teams are said to be tanking to land him in 2026.
Ewers’ Draft Stock Takes a Hit
Reports from The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman suggest that Ewers could be selected as late as No. 50 overall in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks, where he would serve as a backup to veteran quarterback Geno Smith.
This projection is a stark contrast to the high expectations initially set for Ewers and reflects the growing concerns among scouts and teams about his long-term durability and effectiveness at the next level.
Meanwhile, the hype surrounding Manning continues to build, even though he remains in college. According to “NFL Rookie Watch,” some teams are already considering tanking the 2026 season to secure Manning as their future quarterback.
The young quarterback, who comes from a legendary football lineage as the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning, is already being discussed as a potential QB1 in the 2026.
Manning’s college stats thus far include 63 completions on 95 attempts for 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions yet limited playing time hasn’t deterred analysts from speculating about his future dominance in the league.
In fact, FOX Sports has even projected him as the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, placing him with the Tennessee Titans in what would be a huge curveball to the expectations predicting Travis Hunter, Sheduer Sanders or Ashton Jeanty to go first.
“It was notably Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker,” said FOX Sports’ Rob Rang.
“And not head coach Brian Callahan or new general manager Mike Borgonzi, who told reporters this week that the club will not pass up a ‘generational talent’ to force a quarterback at No. 1.”