The 2025 NFL Draft was a load of surprises, but few ignited debates as the Miami Dolphins’ seventh-round pick of Texas QB Quinn Ewers with the No. 231 overall pick. Ewers was a potential first-round talent, but sliding to the late rounds gets fans reacting with surprises.
Yesterday, former NFL star Dez Bryant posted on X, stating that he would rather choose Ewers over Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa, he even went further to compared the untested QB talent to Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
The Dolphins selected Ewers, looking to strengthen their QB depth. The question is: could the Texas standout challenge for a starter position, or is Bryant’s hot take too early?
Could Quinn Ewers Replace Tua? Dez Bryant Says Texas QB Is Ready for the Dolphins
Bryant, a former All-Pro wide receiver who cemented his name with the Dallas Cowboys, is no stranger to confident declarations.
“I like Quinn Ewers over Tua already. He’s Dan Marino 2.0 and yes..I said it,” Bryant said.
I like Quinn Ewers over Tua already. He’s Dan Marino 2.0 and yes..I said it.
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) April 26, 2025
This bold statement from Bryant drew immediate attention.
Bryant’s comparison of Tagovailoa to Marino, the Dolphins legend who threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns in 1984, is such a lofty comparison. Marino, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, set the benchmark for QB excellence in Miami, a standard Tagovailoa has been pursuing since being drafted in 2020 as the No, 5 overall pick by the Dolphins.
The reason for Bryant’s confidence in Ewers originates from the rookie’s potential. A former five-star recruit, according to the On3 industry ranking, Ewers was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2021 cycle.
He started his college career at Ohio State before moving to Texas. Ewers led Texas to its first Big 12 title since 2009, consecutive playoff berths, and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2023. In the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game, he set a record for most passing yards in a single title game in the conference, earning MVP honors.
Over three seasons at Texas, Ewers threw for 9,128 yards, 68 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions, completing 64.9% of his passes.
Despite these exceptional records, Ewers’ draft stock took a hit due to injuries and inconsistency in play. He was ranked by ESPN as the seventh-best QB in the 2025 draft class, yet he was the 13th QB selected, a fall due to concerns about his strength and mental toughness when facing pressure.
Tagovailoa has been occupying the Dolphins’ starting quarterback position since his rookie year, but his time has been impaired by injuries. In 2024, he missed six games, pushing the general manager, Chris Grier, to capitalize on the need for a reliable backup.
The Dolphins signed veteran Zach Wilson in free agency and drafted Ewers, signaling a clear move to strengthen their QB room.
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Bryant’s view on Ewers and Marino are more of a baseless comparison. Marino’s 1984 season remains and will for a long time be one of the most prolific in NFL history, and his 61,361 career passing yards rank him among the all-time greats. Ewers, by contrast, has yet to take an NFL snap, with zero experience on the big stage.
While Ewers’ arm talent and ability to make an impact play under pressure have been emphasized, his lack of professional expertise makes Bryant’s statement a leap.
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