Quinn Ewer - Pre Draft Analysis

[Downunder Dolphan]

Since the pads have been worn, I've been reading reviews that the defense (specifically the pass rush) has got the better of the offense, especially the last couple of sessions.

[CF DolFan]

They are supposed to be really good but we will see this week as they practice and play against Chicago. The Bears have revamped their O-line and are supposed to be pretty good.

Keep an eye out for second year edge rusher Grayson Murphy as many are bragging on him including Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. Phillips said “Grayson is probably the best pure pass rusher on the team in my opinion.”
 

[Denver2]

Yeah Ewers ain’t gonna be the future of this team lol

[Pappy13]

Keep an eye out for second year edge rusher Grayson Murphy as many are bragging on him including Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. Phillips said “Grayson is probably the best pure pass rusher on the team in my opinion.”

He might be good rushing the passer but he's absolutely horrid against the run. Saw more than 1 play where he basically watched as guys ran past him.

[Pappy13]

I've seen enough of Zach Wilson this preseason, I'd let Quin Ewers have the entire 3rd preseason game. He seems further along than Wilson in my humble opinion. If I had to fill out a depth chart right now, I'd have Ewers behind Tua and Wilson behind him and it pains me to say that as I thought Wilson would be leaps and bounds better. Wilson looks like a rookie and Ewers looks like the 3 year veteran.

[Denver2]

I've seen enough of Zach Wilson this preseason, I'd let Quin Ewers have the entire 3rd preseason game. He seems further along than Wilson in my humble opinion. If I had to fill out a depth chart right now, I'd have Ewers behind Tua and Wilson behind him and it pains me to say that as I thought Wilson would be leaps and bounds better. Wilson looks like a rookie and Ewers looks like the 3 year veteran.

Wilson wasn’t terrible today but I agree Ewers had a great game.

[Spider-Dan]

Let's not forget Preseason MVP Skyler Thompson before we start elevating day 3 picks to QB2 over veterans.

[Pappy13]

Let's not forget Preseason MVP Skyler Thompson before we start elevating day 3 picks to QB2 over veterans.

Agreed, but then it's not so much how good Ewers is playing but rather how bad Wilson is playing. He looks scared to throw the ball. He's late with getting it out of his hand, has to see the receiver break open before he throws it. He takes too many sacks. This guy has had dozens of starts in the NFL and he's looked terrible in 2 preseason games now. Maybe his confidence is completely shot? I don't know what it is, but he doesn't look good at all. Again, it's not that I think Ewers has been that impressive, it's been how underwhelming that Wilson has been through 2 preseason games. That's why I'd give Ewers the entire 3rd preseason game to continue his growth. Maybe just tell Wilson he's the backup and can take the 3rd preseason game off to give Ewers more reps. I like what I have seen so far from Ewers and granted he needs a bunch more time to develop, but he's headed in the right direction, Wilson has stagnated or perhaps is even regressing.

[CF DolFan]

Let's not forget Preseason MVP Skyler Thompson before we start elevating day 3 picks to QB2 over veterans.

I don't disagree with what you are saying but Ewers does have more reasons to believe in the possible upside.

To start with, Ewers is more accurate than Skyler was. He played in a major conference and has played in some really big games. He led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff in his last two seasons and secured the 2023 Big 12 title. He also held off the most propped up college prospective QB I can remember in Archie Manning. Mentally and skills, he is far ahead of where Skyler started.

I would keep things as they are but if this season goes south I'd expect he would get to play.

[Downunder Dolphan]

I would keep things as they are but if this season goes south I'd expect he would get to play.

If things go far enough south that Ewers is starting, it's likely that Tua is out injured, the season is basically over, and McDaniel is packing his bags or is already out the door.

[Pappy13]

If things go far enough south that Ewers is starting, it's likely that Tua is out injured, the season is basically over, and McDaniel is packing his bags or is already out the door.

Tua being injured this year might not be the death knell it's been the last couple of years for a couple of reasons.

1. I think Wilson and Ewers are major upgrades over what was here the last couple of years. I'm not expecting Tua like performance from them if Tua does go down, but perhaps they can be effecient in the offense (see point 2).
2. I think the run game is going to be the key to the offense this year. The offensive line has been rebuilt and there's reason to believe that not only are they better as pass protection but better at opening up the holes for running backs. There's a little bit of a mean streak in the guys they have now that was lacking in years past in my humble opinion. The season hasn't started yet, but I'm optimistic. If both of those things are true, Wilson and Ewers might be good enough to win games they should win which hasn't been the case in the past.
3. The defense I think might be improved as well. This is going to be tricky because obviously the backfield is missing some big pieces (Kohou getting injured really hurt), but the defensive line could be stout and not give opposing RB's much room to run or opposing QB's much time to look for open receivers. Could be a bit of feast or famine with the D, but even if they give up some big plays, they could produce more turnovers and also force some 3 and outs and give the offense better field position to work with. It's tough to score starting from inside your own 30 every series.

It's a long season so don't expect it to look great from the jump, but lets hope that come December/January things are looking better than they have in the past. If that's the case, I can live with that.

[Spider-Dan]

I don't think Wilson or Ewers are an upgrade over Teddy Bridgewater or Tyler Huntley.

[CF DolFan]

I don't think Wilson or Ewers are an upgrade over Teddy Bridgewater or Tyler Huntley.

I'm not sure what you think happened but Huntley did very little but run and Teddy never amounted to much of anything here in Miami. Tyler played in 5 games and had 3 TDs and 3 INTs with a 64% completion rate. Bridgewater played in 5 games, threw 4 TDs and 4 INTs with a 62% completion rating.  They both seem to be on par with Zach Wilson's career and Ewer's keeps getting better with minimal snaps like you would expect a rookie to do.

[Spider-Dan]

Oh, I'm not saying that Teddy or Snoop played well in Miami.  I'm saying that Wilson and Ewers would probably be worse.

Both Teddy and Snoop have played better as professionals than Wilson, and Ewers' preseason has been worse than Skyler Thompson's preseasons as a Dolphin.

[Downunder Dolphan]

Tua being injured this year might not be the death knell it's been the last couple of years for a couple of reasons.

1. I think Wilson and Ewers are major upgrades over what was here the last couple of years. I'm not expecting Tua like performance from them if Tua does go down, but perhaps they can be effecient in the offense (see point 2).
2. I think the run game is going to be the key to the offense this year. The offensive line has been rebuilt and there's reason to believe that not only are they better as pass protection but better at opening up the holes for running backs. There's a little bit of a mean streak in the guys they have now that was lacking in years past in my humble opinion. The season hasn't started yet, but I'm optimistic. If both of those things are true, Wilson and Ewers might be good enough to win games they should win which hasn't been the case in the past.
3. The defense I think might be improved as well. This is going to be tricky because obviously the backfield is missing some big pieces (Kohou getting injured really hurt), but the defensive line could be stout and not give opposing RB's much room to run or opposing QB's much time to look for open receivers. Could be a bit of feast or famine with the D, but even if they give up some big plays, they could produce more turnovers and also force some 3 and outs and give the offense better field position to work with. It's tough to score starting from inside your own 30 every series.

It's a long season so don't expect it to look great from the jump, but lets hope that come December/January things are looking better than they have in the past. If that's the case, I can live with that.

From what I've read of during the preseason practices and trials, I'd pretty much disagree with all of the above.

McDaniel is still well and truly hitched to the Tua/Tyreek/Waddle or bust train. Full stop.

The running game doesn't work without the deep threat, and take any of these guys out and the offense won't function. We've already seen this preseason nothing has really changed if the opposition stack the box, we still cannot run at will against it. Our O-Line still has no depth, the right side (Tua's blind side) looks porous without Jackson, and Brewer isn't a power blocker to open running lanes. We're gonna have the same problems as last year (including pre-snap penalties).

With our own D, I think our pass rush (should) be vastly improved with the addition of Grant and Jordan Phillips, along with the return of Chubb & Jaelan Phillips, plus a solid linebacker core... but our secondary is very suspect (even with Minkah back). It's gonna be feast or famine, and if Weaver makes the best of of it again, he should be a head coach somewhere next season.