Insider links Patriots with Kentucky QB Will Levis ahead of draft

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer seems to believe the New England Patriots could consider drafting Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis on Thursday night. 

"I think he was here because the Patriots think he might slide to them (at No. 14), and then they would have to look at the idea of it," Breer said during an appearance on NBC Sports Boston about the Patriots hosting Levis for a top-30 visit last week, per NBC Sports Boston's Darren Hartwell. "I think there's a person or two in that building who really likes Will Levis. I think there's people in the front office who really like him."

Breer said earlier this month that the name of presumed New England starting quarterback Mac Jones "came up a few times" in trade calls this offseason. Breer also noted he expects that head coach Bill Belichick will make Jones compete with 2022 rookie Bailey Zappe for the QB1 job this summer. 

While speaking on NBC Sports Boston, Breer indicated that Belichick is not "sure" about Jones and that new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien also has doubts about the 2021 first-round draft pick. 

"I think there are a lot of people in that building who are unsure whether or not Mac Jones is going to be the QB three years from now," Breer added. 

Outsiders may never know the full story behind rumors claiming Belichick "shopped" Jones to other teams after the 24-year-old allegedly reached out to non-Patriots personnel for advice on how to fix the team's struggling offense last season. Regardless, Levis may not be on the board when the Patriots are called to use the 14th pick on Thursday evening. 

ESPN's Todd McShay said Monday that whispers linking Levis with the Indianapolis Colts at pick No. 4 are "very real" and that the Colts are "interested" in the Kentucky product. Meanwhile, five of six CBS Sports analysts predicted in their latest mock drafts that Levis won't be available for the Patriots at pick No. 14. 

CBS's Ryan Wilson has Levis plummeting to the final choice of the draft's first round.