Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Another insider links Patriots with top QB prospect ahead of draft

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/25/23

Whispers linking the New England Patriots with Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis aren't quieting down before the NFL Draft gets underway Thursday night.

League insider Mike Giardi, previously of NFL Network, tweeted Tuesday that "there is real interest" among "important folks" within the Patriots in drafting Levis. Giardi originally shared that information during a Monday appearance on NBC Sports Boston:

As I mentioned on Felger & Holley last night, there is real interest in QB Will Levis from the Patriots. Not universally, but there are important folks in that building that believe in the talent. What I've heard about his visit from other stops... he hasn't blown anyone away.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 25, 2023

that dovetails with something I was told by a couple scouts that were around the Kentucky program this year. It's not that he's an unlikable kid, but players didn't gravitate to him either. Can that leadership quality/it factor be learned? The physical talents are undeniable.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 25, 2023

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer recently reported that the Patriots hosted Levis for a top-30 visit last week in part because some in the organization think the Kentucky product could slide to New England at pick No. 14 and because "there's people in the front office who really like" Levis. Breer also suggested Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien aren't completely convinced that Mac Jones is the team's long-term answer at the position.

Giardi's tweets represent the latest twist in a fascinating offseason regarding Jones' status with the Patriots after the 2021 first-round draft pick allegedly upset Belichick by contacting outsiders for coaching this past campaign. Claims of Belichick "shopping" Jones following the season have been refuted by multiple individuals, while Levis' draft stock seems to be a moving target among analysts.

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco argued on Tuesday that Levis should be viewed as the top-ranked quarterback in this draft class over Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, ESPN's Seth Walder pointed out Tuesday that Levis is the top-tier quarterback "most likely" to slide down the actual draft order on Thursday night.

"The model foresees a low but real chance he could slide into the teens," Walder said about what ESPN's Draft Day Predictor model forecasts as it pertains to when Levis will be selected.

Of the six CBS Sports analysts who have updated mock drafts this week, only Ryan Wilson believes Levis will be available for New England at pick No. 14. None of those six individuals are predicting the Patriots will trade up for Levis.

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