Mel Kiper compares Sam Leavitt to Baker Mayfield in latest mock draft

When he arrived last year in Tempe, quarterback Sam Leavitt was a player who had very little to show from his previous school in order to win the starting job at Arizona State. Now, a season later as he enters Year 2 with the Sun Devils, Leavitt isn’t just projected as a draft pick but is earning comparisons to one of the better college-to-pro quarterbacks in recent history.

On ‘First Draft’ this week, ESPN’s Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr. dove into Yates’ first mock of the 2026 NFL Draft. That included a selection of Leavitt at No. 9 overall by the Los Angeles Rams as their eventual replacement for Matthew Stafford.

“At the time that you and I are having this conversation, Matthew Stafford is still dealing with a bad back,” Yates noted. “As we know with Stafford, every year is a year-to-year decision for him. So, the Rams would get ahead of the curve, potentially, if Matthew returns for 2026. But, either way, to me, it’s logical for them to be thinking about a quarterback.

“A team that drafts exceptionally well with Les Snead, and Sean McVay to be able to hand-pick his quarterback,” Kiper later added.

At ASU last fall, Leavitt posted 61.7% completion percentage for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also rushing for 443 yards and five more scores. His play on offense, with running back Cam Skattebo leading the ground game, helped take the Sun Devils to an 11-3 record in winning the Big 12 Championship and making the CFP.

With that, his play got better as the season went on and the stage got bigger. Leavitt completed 65.6% of his throws for 245.6 passing yards per game with 16 touchdowns and two interceptions over their final seven games from November on.

“You and I have both been fans of Leavitt, especially after what he did last season,” Yates said. “He ends up at Arizona State, had this incredible year last where they nearly take down Texas during the College Football Playoff. I think this is a good athlete. He’s got good accuracy as well. But, what I am most impressed by with Sam Leavitt is he’s a gamer. He’s got some moxy. He’s got some big-time plays in him. He is fearles as a quarterback on the field. I felt like, last year, when things got under pressure, under the microscope, Sam Leavitt got better and better and better throughout the season for Arizona State. He was great in key moments last year.”

Kiper fully agreed, especially when it came to the swagger at Leavitt’s age. He compared that aspect of his game to one Baker Mayfield, the former Heisman winner turned No. 1 pick who, through seven pro seasons, has recently had some of his best seasons down in Tampa Bay.

“You mentioned moxy? I see Baker Mayfield in Sam Leavitt,” Kiper said. “He can move, he can run. He is tough as nails. He’s not 6’3, 6’4. Those types of quarterbacks? That’s what Sam Leavitt is. He’s all football. He’s a baller.”

Leavitt showed out by season’s end last year at Arizona State. That now doesn’t just have him as a first round quarterback, but one who, if he has another great year ahead, could hear his name as a Top 10 pick next spring.