Mel Kiper is considered the pioneer of the mock-drafting practice. The original draftnik. Doubt he knew he was propelling an abomination into the sports realm. Mock drafting, and all its iterations, divide fans, stakeholders, and players alike into two factions. With some overlapping in the middle, sort of like a Venn diagram. Firstly, there are those who consider it a futile activity disassociated with reality. Then, those who consider certain draftnik’s projections as gospel and etched in truth. Finally, those that have no strong opinions, take them on board but with a pinch of salt. After looking at one mock of what April’s NFL Draft will look like, Quinn Ewers will firmly fall into category 2.

The curious case of Quinn Ewers. A 5-star prospect coming out of high school whose stock seemingly declined year upon year in college. The 2024 draft saw the most QBs picked in the first round ever. With the competition being that tough, Ewers chose to stick around and enter the draft in 2025 instead. However, he’s lost some traction during a year riddled with injuries. He’s even nursing one to his oblique right now and missed the Senior Bowl as a result. The consensus on Quinn Ewers is that he’ll be a Day 2 or 3 pick off the board. Not ideal, but still far from an indictment. One AFC franchise that has been yearning for a messiah figure for years is being touted as a possible destination. 

The New York Jets. Forever the bridesmaids in their own city, never quite the bride. The Jets essentially grew tired of drifting around the abyss of mediocrity and made wholesale changes over the last two 2 off-seasons. They mortgaged a lot of their future for a short championship window in the present. But alas, the centerpiece to this whole operation, Aaron Rodgers, was perhaps over the hill. It didn’t help that the now 41-year-old tore his Achilles on his debut. But he was already on the way down during his last year in Green Bay and just never got back to his HOF-calibre self in NY. Now, the Jets have decided to part ways. That said, they still have a stacked ensemble in the supporting cast. With Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall as weapons, could Quinn Ewers plug straight into the void under center?

The folks over at The FF Dynasty Youtube channel relayed and dissected the latest mock draft of ESPN’s Matt Miller. Focusing on round 2 alone, they discussed Miller’s placement of Ewers going to the Jets with the #42 pick. “If this is who you like, and this is where you want to go, take a sh-t on him. I think Quinn Ewers’ got all the tools, can make all the throws. I kind of don’t hate this,” said host Casey. “Think Ewers will end up probably going in the second round to somebody, and I don’t mind the Jets at all here.” That said, there’s an elephant in the room. Yes, Casey was a proponent of this pick. But with a caveat.

This discernment was made mere hours before Rodgers’ departure was confirmed. That means the Jets don’t have room for initially sitting a QB they draft unless they sign someone in free agency. (A second shot at Sam Darnold, anyone?) New HC Aaron Glenn needs a QB1 from the jump. Can Quinn Ewers be thrust straight into the firing line? He’s got the experience, but that won’t be ideal. Casey’s suggestion was made under the condition that Aaron Rodgers, or QB with NFL reps for that matter, play another year with Ewers backing them up as he learns the ropes. A fair rationale. It seems like Ewers doesn’t quite have a linear pathway into the NFL just yet. However, there are a couple of silver linings.

More good news on the injury front as well as the NFL front for Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers has had a tumultuous time with injuries plaguing his entire college career. After missing time in the 2023 season with an AC joint sprain, he found no respite last season either. Back in Week 3, he went down with an oblique strain. Ewers returned in Week 7 while Arch Manning held it down in his absence. Turns out, he never fully healed from this injury and played the rest of the year through it. After Texas’ season ceased in the Cotton Bowl, this finally came to light. Now, Ewers is finally getting back to full fitness. 

On3’s Charlie Williams, a former coach at the Longhorns, posted to X a video of Quinn Ewers training. The full extent of his mobility is not apparent, but he’s seen airing out the football. His colleague Justin Wells quoted this post with “First time since the Cotton Bowl that Ewers has thrown the ball. Dealing with multiple injuries in the last two months of 2024. Arm strength is returning.” Ironically, the injury and his subsequently missing the Senior Bowl may actually have helped his draft stock.

Quinn Ewers is directly vying with Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe for a similar pick off April’s draft board. They’re all considered in and around the same echelon as prospects. While Ewers didn’t participate, his adversary Jalen Milroe had a horrid time in Mobile, Alabama. It’s reported that Milroe hurt his stock, which inadvertently spells good news for Ewers. Addition by subtraction. Milroe may have fallen down the pecking order of a different AFC side too. Ewers will just hope the Jets, or anybody for that matter, take a chance at him. The situation that the malleable QB walks into can dictate the trajectory of their career.