Titans QB Will Levis reacts to NFL Draft slide

New Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis has reacted to sliding out of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

"It's not going to change my work ethic, regardless if I went first overall or 33rd," Levis explained, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. "I can't let the circumstances dictate my work ethic. I ended up where I was meant to be, and I'm just looking forward to competing and getting started."

Davenport pointed out that ESPN Analytics said before Thursday night that there was a 92% chance Levis would be a top-10 pick, and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports argued last week that the Carolina Panthers should take Levis with the draft's first selection over Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide. While Carolina happily grabbed Young, Levis remained on the board through the final choice of the first round to the astonishment of many analysts. 

It was subsequently reported that a lingering left toe injury Levis suffered last college season "was 'problematic'" for at least one team that considered drafting him. While an unnamed general manager told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio "that the toe excuse is 'bull----,'" Justin Terranova of the New York Post wrote that ESPN's Todd McShay said that Levis "came off as not having an ideal personality" during predraft meetings. 

As Davenport noted in a different piece, the Titans sent picks No. 41 and No. 72 in this year's draft along with a 2024 third-round selection to the Arizona Cardinals for the No. 33 overall pick used to acquire Levis and also pick No. 81. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has already declared that Levis is beginning his NFL career third on the depth chart behind presumed starter Ryan Tannehill and 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis. 

Levis remarked that "the waterworks" started flowing when he received the call from the Titans shortly after he somewhat controversially returned home from the draft after going unselected on Thursday night.

"As soon as we called, you could hear it," Vrabel said about the quarterback's emotional response to being chosen by Tennessee.