Every year, it seems that one top prospect in the NFL Draft shockingly falls out of the first round. Will Levis is the latest victim of that year-to-year curse.
Levis was projected by many to be a top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Many believed that the Colts would select him with the No. 4 overall pick to be the team's long-term answer at quarterback.
Instead, the Colts selected Florida's Anthony Richardson to be their franchise quarterback.
He was the last quarterback to be selected in the first round. Levis lingered in the NFL's "green room" for most of the night but eventually realized that his moment would not come on Thursday.
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But why didn't Levis get selected in the first 31 picks of the 2023 NFL Draft? Here's what fueled the Kentucky quarterback's slide and where he could go on Day 2 of the event.
Why wasn't Will Levis a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?
There are a few reasons that Levis went lower than many expected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The first is Levis simply didn't have as high a ceiling as the other quarterbacks who were selected in the top 10. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud were thought to be the most polished and pro-ready passers for the next levels. They possessed both high floors and high ceilings, so that put them ahead of Levis in the pecking order.
As such, Levis' best chance of being selected early was to go to the Colts at No. 4 overall. While he was mocked there frequently, Indianapolis opted to select Anthony Richardson instead of him. Levis is more polished than Richardson, but the Florida product has rare athleticism for a quarterback and a massive arm. That gave him a higher ceiling than Levis, so the Colts ultimately swung for the fences and took Richardson with their pick.
After that, there simply weren't many landing spots for Levis. The Raiders weren't going to take him after signing Jimmy Garoppolo; the Titans may have considered him as a successor to Ryan Tannehill, but they instead opted to take offensive tackle Peter Skoronski; and once the Buccaneers and Vikings passed on him, there simply weren't any first-round teams remaining that were looking for a quarterback.
But why weren't teams high on Levis? It had nothing to do with his character, as Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer noted. It was more that coaches were lukewarm about how he performed during his time at Kentucky.
One thing I would make clear here, though, is everyone did think Will Levis is a really good kid. Tough, hard-working, and was well-liked in Lexington. And there are obvious athletic traits there and better tape from '21.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 28, 2023
Tomorrow will be interesting. https://t.co/e4E3npRV9d
Levis was solid in the Wildcats' pro-style offense but didn't have many explosive, signature games as the team's starter. He also struggled with interceptions, throwing 23 in 24 games as a starter, and had a dismal outing in an important matchup against Tennessee.
Additionally, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Levis was dealing with a "problematic" toe injury that may eventually require surgery. He also noted that Levis doesn't believe that he will need to have the injury surgically repaired.
Will Levis’ left toe that caused him to miss two games last year was “problematic “ for one team that considered him.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 28, 2023
Levis says the “toe has healed” and good to go.
Another team believes Levis could manage it but thought surgery would need discussion after season.
Levis…
Those concerns were enough to make Levis suffer a Brady Quinn and Drew Lock-style tumble down the board in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Who will draft Will Levis on Day 2?
There weren't many landing spots for Levis in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft, but there will be more for him on Day 2.
Quarterback-needy teams that have already addressed their biggest needs will be more willing to take a player like Levis with hopes of developing him behind the scenes. Being a second-round quarterback comes with less pressure than being a first-round pick, so that could work to Levis' benefit as he adjusts to the NFL.
Below is a run-down of the most likely landing spots for Levis in the early stages of the second round:
Detroit Lions
- Round 2, Pick 34
The Lions have a solid starting quarterback in Jared Goff, but they don't have much behind him, as Nate Sudfeld is their lone backup. Levis would provide the team with a developmental backup behind Goff who could eventually take over for him once Goff's contract expires following the 2024 season. And if the Lions like what they see out of Levis enough, they could look to start him and trade Goff.
Los Angeles Rams
- Round 2, Pick 36
The Rams didn't have a first-round selection, so the 36th pick is their first of the draft. Could they use it on Levis? They only have the 35-year-old Matthew Stafford under contract at quarterback and he dealt with neck, head and elbow injuries last season. Levi could back Stafford up in 2023 and eventually take over for the veteran if he continues to struggle to stay healthy.
Seattle Seahawks
- Round 2, Pick 37
The Seahawks addressed two of their biggest needs by landing cornerback Devon Witherspoon and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round. If they like Levis enough, they could develop him behind Geno Smith, who signed a three-year extension this offseason. Ironically, Levis would likely usurp Drew Lock as a backup if drafted. Lock went through a similar situation, going from a potential top-10 pick to a second-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Round 2, Pick 38
The Raiders are another team that could use a developmental quarterback. Jarrett Stidham signed with the Broncos during the offseason and Levis has a significantly higher ceiling than 2022 undrafted free agent Chase Garbers. Levis could compete with Brian Hoyer for the backup job behind Jimmy Garoppolo and could eventually replace him as a starter.
Tennessee Titans
- Round 2, Pick 41
The Titans were one of the teams that was expected to be in the mix for Levis if he fell out of the top 10. So much for that. They took offensive lineman Peter Skoronski instead. Tennessee may like to build up their roster elsewhere before targeting a quarterback during the 2024 offseason, but if they like Levis enough, they could draft him with the hopes that he can replace Ryan Tannehill after his contract expires.
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, Pick 44
The Falcons are turning to 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder as their starter in 2023 and signed Taylor Heinicke to back him up. That said, they still might be able to find room for Levis, who could challenge Ridder for the starting job while Heinicke remains the team's backup. Maybe that would clutter Atlanta's depth chart a bit too much, but if they like Levis, they won't hesitate to take him here.
Washington Commanders
- Round 2, Pick 47
The Commanders are in a similar situation to the Falcons. They have a young player, Sam Howell, set to start for them and a seasoned veteran, Jacoby Brissett, set to compete with him. Levis could add another potential-packed passer to that competition, and the team's new ownership group might be happy to have a new quarterback in the fold.
