Will Levis with his parents in Kansas City before Thursday night’s NFL draft started. (UK Athletics Photo)
Two weeks ago FoxSports Radio host Aaron Torres made what he called a “bold prediction” about the NFL draft.
“Either Will Levis or Anthony Richardson falls on draft night. It happens every year to one guy. It’s one thing to talk a guy up in the process — it’s another thing for a GM (general manager) to put his career on the line drafting him,” Torres said.
Guess what? He turned out to be right.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson went higher than many expected when Indianapolis picked him No. 4 while Levis WAS NOT PICKED in the first round. Remember that ESPN NFL draft analyst had Levis slotted for the No. 4 pick to Indianapolis.
According to ESPN Analytics, there was a 92 percent chance that Levis was going to be picked in the top 10. According to what the UK coaching staff said it had been told by NFL personnel, there was a 100 percent chance Levis would be a top 12 pick. He was one of the players the NFL invited to the draft and that’s something reserved for players the NFL feels 99 percent certain will be picked in the first round.
Midway through first round Levis’ mother hugged him as he sat in the “green room” with TV cameras focused on him. He looked up and smiled but the disappointment was obvious.
“If they invite you to the draft I’d think they have a pretty good feeling about you. We are at the part of the draft where first rounders are at parties and venues with loved ones. This is just odd,” former UK all-SEC running back Anthony White said after the first 17 picks had been made.
Levis was asked before Kentucky’s Pro Day in March if he was going to the draft in person.
“”I’m looking forward to going, but I don’t want to go if I could be like a second-round pick. Don’t want to have the camera just on you all day,” he said then but that is exactly how it turned out.
In fairness, two weeks ago I read a thorough analysis of the top 50 players in the draft by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today. He had Levis 39th.
Here’s what he wrote: “The lively release and ample arm strength are the hallmarks of a gifted thrower. Yet the finer points of the position still figure to be a significant stumbling block for Levis, with the 6-4, 229-pounder’s erratic accuracy, lagging processing speed and questionable decision-making undermining his overall ability. The potential payoff might be worth the gamble for a team confident in its plan to develop him, but there’s no ignoring the inherent risk in taking on a project like Levis with an early first-round selection.”
Three other quarterbacks were taken in the opening round. Alabama’s Bryce Young was the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers, followed by Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud at No. 2 to the Houston Texans. Richardson then went No. 4 to the Colts.
Several teams that had been rumored to possibly be interested in Levis will have picks early in Friday night’s second round, including four with top 10 picks in round two —Seahawks (No. 37, 52), Raiders (No. 38), Saints (No. 40) and Titans (No. 41).
So what happened to Levis? Why did he drop so far after a majoring of mock drafts had him solidly in the first round?
There have been rumors about his “cockiness” in team interviews. Others had wondered if he was so muscular that it impacted his accuracy.
But NFL analyst Chris Mortensen posted on social media that teams may have had concerns about his health due to injuries he suffered during the 2022 season.
“Will Levis’ left toe that caused him to miss two games last year was ‘problematic’ for one team that considered him. Levis says the “toe has healed” and is good to go. Another team believes Levis could manage it but thought surgery would need discussion after the season,” Mortensen said.
Still most expected Levis to be the first UK quarterback drafted in the first round since Tim Couch was the No. 1 overall pick in 1999 and UK’s first top five pick since 2003.
Coach Mark Stoops was on several national radio/TV shows talking about Levis. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen and associate coach Vince Marrow were confident in his draft status.
However, something happened that UK coaches were not expecting and now Levis will have to wait and see when and where he goes tonight when the second round starts.
But keep in mind that plenty of quarterbacks not drafted in the first round have been very successful in the NFL. Brett Favre was a second round pick in 1991 and Drew Brees was in 2001. Jalen Hurts just played in the Super Bowl and was a second round pick in 2020. Others include Derek Carr (2014), Jimmy Garoppolo (2014), Andy Dalton (2011) and Boomer Esiason (1984).
And some guy named Tom Brady was the 199th pick in the sixth round in 2000 by New England. He won seven Super Bowls and three times was named the NFL MVP.
5 Responses
In my opinion which means nothing, I thought levis was better than Richardson. Also , I think the NFL must underestimate the toughness aspect. Levis got pounded and pounded for 2 years. And always got up. When I think other wouldn’t. One tough young fella.
Not end the world for him, it maybe a blessing. Whomever gets him will be glad they did and other teams will regret that they bypass him.
At this point had he been picked at No 4 like Richardson (who BTW could have had those same draft comments written about him) Levis would make $38 mil over 4 years. As it is now even if he is picked 32nd he will make $12 mil or less over 4 years. That’s a huge swing in $.
I believe this is God’s Providence and it’ll make for Will’s first Pro adversity. And if he responds rightly, which I pray he will – a part of His-story. I felt he should hav returned this evening to that Room showing he has staying strength in the midst of a very publically scrutinizing situation. However, I sympathize with the sadness n disappointment. Still, we know God’s very best towards His own, so. 🙏 NEXT Step…
The Titans are a good spot for Will. He should have at least one year, if not two, to learn the offense and adjust to NFL play. He needs to work on his accuracy and decision making, both will take PT to get better. I think Henry will be around for 2 more years and the attention he gets will help Will. Burkes should be better this year too and Okonkwo will be better too. Beefing up the O-line will make a difference as well. If Philips can stay healthy, he may be the breakout player for 2023. Both Brady and Farve were not first year starters and things worked out well for both of them. Will has the chance to have a solid career with the Titans if he is coachable and stays healthy.