The Tennessee Titans’ decision to trade up and select quarterback Will Levis in the 2023 NFL draft was certainly polarizing with fans, as he was one of the signal-callers many wanted no part of.
So, what makes Levis such a polarizing prospect? Well, we can get a better idea of that by taking a look at the opinions of experts ahead of the draft.
We start with our Shaun Calderon, who had Levis as his No. 4 quarterback and projected him to go no later than late in the first round. If we look at it from that standpoint (Calderon wasn’t the only expert with a first-round grade), the Titans actually got pretty good value in their pick.
“Any team that drafts Levis will have to ensure it’s not only patient with him, but it must do a good job of putting adequate pieces around him to work with so he can have a real chance to succeed,” Calderon said about Levis in his scouting report before the draft.
“Simply put, Levis is a true boom-or-bust prospect that is either going to make a front office look smart for betting on his talent, or complete idiots for ignoring all of the obvious warning signs,” he concluded.
Now, a look at what other draft experts said about Tennessee’s new signal-caller.
Natalie Miller, Draft Wire
Will Levis has the makings of a top talent in the NFL, you simply cannot teach someone how to have the release, arm talent, and athletic ability that Levis possesses. Teams will be hard pressed to pass up on a talent like his, even if it means ignoring some of the obvious red flags that comes with his quarterbacking. His leadership and experience in NFL style offenses will only come to help him, as he is obviously coachable and can be molded into an ideal starter for someone in the league.
Projection: First round selection
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Kentucky, Levis had a promising 2021 season in offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s scheme (31.8 points per game, 10 wins). However, he struggled with consistency in 2022, as the offense saw a complete makeover with Wan’Dale Robinson and multiple offensive linemen departing to the NFL and new play-caller Rich Scangarello taking over for Coen, who left to become the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator. Physically built for the pro game, Levis is strong in the pocket, moves very well for his size and has a power arm to deliver with velocity and accuracy from various platforms. However, defenses are too easily able to put doubt in his mind, which leads to forced or inaccurate throws because of hesitancy in his game. Overall, Levis needs more reps to continue developing his read efficiency and ball placement, but he has an NFL starter’s skill set with his impressive physical tools (size, arm, athleticism) and exceptional
competitive toughness. Similarities with Carson Wentz should be considered both a positive and negative, but he has starter-level traits and upside.GRADE: 1st Round (No. 14 overall)
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Levis is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the draft, but there are warts in his game that might not be easily corrected. He has prototypical size and experience operating in a pro-style passing attack. He’s an athletic passer, with the ability to zip off-platform throws with plus velocity from a compact release. He struggled to put together an extended period of high-caliber quarterback play in 2022, but was also dealing with injuries that he fought his way through for much of the season. Levis has the arm to beat coverages on all three levels, but inadequate placement and accuracy have created a lot of uncatchable throws. He’s a capable runner outside the pocket but needs to improve his feel for pressure and his consistency when throwing on the move. Levis’ talent is well worth an investment, but could require a talented quarterback coach and a patient plan to tighten up his mechanics, rebuild his confidence and explore an offensive scheme that best suits him.
Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network
Overall: From a size, athleticism, and arm strength point of view, Levis could arguably be graded out as one of the top two quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Yet, there are many concerning fundamental red flags about his game.
Levis must improve his defensive reads, overall accuracy, and decision-making. He’s not nearly the NFL-ready QB many project him to be, and if he’s rushed into a starting lineup, the consequences could be bad. Levis needs to land with the right coach and be kept on the sidelines to absorb what’s happening on the field before lining up behind center on Sundays. He possesses tremendous upside potential, yet there is a lot of risk in his game.
Damian Parson, The Draft Network
Top Reasons to Buy In:
High-octane arm talent
Prototypical mold at position
High-ceiling/upside
Top Reasons For Concern:
Slow processing
Turnovers
Decision-making
Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports
Will Levis is a tall quarterback with good mass to take on contact. The Penn State transfer has good mobility and does not shy away from contact. Levis has elite arm strength but often gets stuck on his first read and does not complete full-field progressions. Talent evaluators will have to determine how much of his struggles were related to a weak supporting cast, injury, etc., and what is fixable. He is an intelligent player who will compete through injury.
Strengths
Great mobility relative to his size
Elite arm strength
Great size for the position
Exposure to a pro-style offense
Tough, will play through injury
Weaknesses
Battled injury through the 2022 season
Gets stuck on his first read occasionally
Subpar production as a senior, did not elevate his team
Needs to get through full-field reads quicker
Charlie Campbell, Walter Football
Strengths:
Serious arm strength
Can make all the throws required
Easy power
Can throw fastballs into tight windows
Can throw touch passes
Throws a catchable ball
Capable of lofting the ball downfield
Can make throws off platform
Mobility
Can hurt defenses on the ground
Can pick up yards on the ground
Tough
Athletic
Plays hurt
Hard worker
Good character
Upside
Weaknesses:
Throws lots of interceptions
Has no feel as a passer and in the pocket
Holds the ball way too long
Takes hard hits from not getting the ball out
Takes some bad sacks
Poor decision-making
Not the most accurate
Tries to strong arm the ball into tight windows
Often stares down his primary read
Not ready to play; needs development
More Will Levis coverage
