ESPN draft expert tabs Matthew Stafford as NFL comparison for Will Levis

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•12/09/22•

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One of the most interesting quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft is Will Levis. The Kentucky quarterback seemingly has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, but his performance in games didn’t match the draft hype that he’s had all season.

Still, there are high expectations being put on Will Levis. Matt Miller, an NFL Draft expert for ESPN, even compared Levis to Matthew Stafford.

Taken with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Georgia, Matthew Stafford put up massive numbers with the Detroit Lions. Last season, he joined the Los Angeles Rams and won the Super Bowl. He, like Levis, is a large, tough quarterback with a big arm.

“Will Levis to Matthew Stafford,” Miller explained. “Both have great arm talent and standout traits in terms of build, mobility and toughness. But both also make mind-numbing mistakes at times and have a style of play that lends itself to injury.”

It’s a comparison that puts some pretty high expectations on Levis’ shoulders. At the same time, that comparison is also why so many people and teams are so high on Levis, despite a few statistical issues.

Mel Kiper Jr. has Will Levis on top of his latest big board

On his latest big board, Mel Kiper Jr. has Will Levis rated as the top quarterback in the draft. That’s ahead of players like Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. However, Kiper thinks Levis reminds him of Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback.

“Not only does he look like a big-time NFL quarterback, Kevin, two years ago, he played like a big-time NFL quarterback when he had some help from his offensive line and his teammates. This year, offensive line let him down, he was beaten up, he was injured and he played through it,” Kiper said.

“The guts he showed was impressive, to me. He still made tough throws under duress, he hung in there all year for his team. That’s who he’s about. He’s not a guy who’s about Will Levis. It’s about winning games, doing what he can for his teammates and that team at Kentucky.”