Top draft fits for Kentucky QB Will Levis

Love him or hate him (there doesn’t seem to be an in-between), Kentucky quarterback Will Levis will likely be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

There perhaps hasn’t been a QB prospect in the 2023 class more divisive than Levis, who’s been picked apart and debated ad nauseam over the last two months by scouts and draft experts.

As many as 10 teams could be looking for new quarterbacks on April 27, and Levis will certainly be among the top three or four taken. Draft position aside, here are the three best fits for Carter as he makes the jump to the NFL.

Indianapolis Colts

After years of Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Nick Foles and Sam Ehlinger, the Colts appear dead-set on finding a permanent solution under center. ESPN’s Matt Miller reported Indianapolis has Levis ranked higher than Florida’s Anthony Richardson on its draft board simply because he can start right away if needed. 

Levis has arguably the strongest arm in the draft, and while many scouts worry about his accuracy and decision making (he had 23 interceptions the last two years at Kentucky), he would benefit greatly from having a strong run game with Jonathan Taylor plus dependable pass catchers like Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Jelani Woods.

Las Vegas Raiders

Yes, the Raiders did just sign Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year contract. And yes, Garoppolo wins a lot of games (40-17 record as a starter). However, the 31-year-old QB doesn’t stay healthy (he’s missed 18 games over the last three seasons), and there’s little reason to believe that will change the older he gets.

Levis would be an ideal backup for a season or two behind Garoppolo, all the while knowing he could have to play at any moment given Garoppolo’s injury history. When he is ready to step into a starting role, he would have an excellent supporting cast that includes Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Jakobi Meyers. 

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently reported he’s heard the Raiders have had conversations about possibly taking Levis with the No. 7 pick.

Washington Commanders

As bad as Indianapolis’ luck with starting QBs has been post-Andrew Luck, the Commanders’ has been just as bad post-Kirk Cousins (Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke). While the Commanders have stated they have full confidence in Sam Howell, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a 22-year-old fifth-round pick with 19 NFL pass attempts.

A QB with Levis’ arm talent would be deadly in an offensive system like Washington’s, throwing to receivers like Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, who are as good of a WR trio as any team in the league can offer. He can compete for a starting job right away, or he can sit and wait while Washington sees what it has in Howell.

The other teams NFC East all seemingly have their franchise QBs (Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Daniel Jones), and the Commanders would be wise to also invest in one — possibly Levis.