Mel Kiper explains why Will Levis will prove to be best QB in the 2023 NFL Draft

On3 imageby:Nick Kosko01/25/23

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Kentucky quarterback Will Levis will be the best quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper.

In Kiper’s 2023 Mock Draft 1.0, Levis is the third quarterback selected, but went No. 5 overall to the Seattle Seahawks. While Kiper had Levis selected behind Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (No. 2 to Houston) and Alabama’s Bryce Young (No. 4 to Indianapolis), he said the Wildcat will top them all.

Levis received No. 1 overall pick buzz prior to the 2022 season and Kiper doubled down on the Kentucky quarterback being the best.

“As far as my rankings, it’s Will Levis from Kentucky,” Kiper said on First Take. “And you got to forget this year, he was banged up, he was beat up, played behind a horrible offensive line. Go back to 2021 when he had some help … He was 10-3 (as a starter), he was outstanding, nine rushing touchdowns.

“He only had two rushing touchdowns before he was hurt, when he was hurt, he had zero. (Levis) played with multiple injuries, played through those injuries, gutted it out, got himself on the field every week.”

Kiper also addressed Levis’ turnovers from his final college season.

“Forget turnovers you got to make plays,” Kiper said. “You know, turnovers happen. When you got to force plays, Tennessee game (he had) three picks, they’re behind, what’s the difference? You’ll lose 30 to nothing or you lose 50 to nothing right? So Will Levis to me is the guy who may not be the first quarterback taken, but will be the best quarterback out of this draft.

“And we’ve seen that over the years. Guys that are the best quarterbacks aren’t always the first or even the second quarterback taken in the first round that particular year.”

Levis finished his final season with 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, a 65.4% completion percentage and two rushing touchdowns. In his career with Kentucky, Levis had 5,232 yards, 43 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, a 65.7% completion percentage, 269 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. 

“I’m gonna bet on Will Levis,” Kiper said. “I bet on Josh Allen when nobody liked him. Herbert was the third quarterback taken when he came out. I go down the line there’s a lot of quarterbacks. (Matthew) Stafford went No. 1. People were criticizing Stafford when he came out, he still went number one … So for me, Will Levis we’ll have critics because a lot of people don’t like him. And what happens is guys, when you don’t like him, you hate him. Until he proves you’re wrong. 

“And that usually never happens because nobody wants to give it up. So for Will Levis, he’s gonna have to battle the naysayers probably throughout the first five, six years of his career.”

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