Mel Kiper Has Will Levis At #3 Overall (and Carrington Valentine #14 CB)

[YaketySax]

Link: https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/dr...-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position

Levis #3 overall but the #1 QB.

“Levis’ stats aren’t going to blow you away, but he doesn’t have a great supporting cast of playmakers around him. He has 19 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions this season, and his 60.3 QBR ranks 61st in the country. But when I went through all his starts at Kentucky earlier this year, I was really impressed with his game. Levis has a rocket launcher for an arm and makes some “wow” throws. That has gotten the Penn State transfer into trouble at times, but it’s clear watching him that he believes he can fit the ball into any window. My comparison is Matthew Stafford.”

...

“Levis plays in a pro-style offense at Kentucky, and he’s not going to need much time to adjust to the NFL. He can maneuver the pocket and throw on the run. Many of his turnovers came when he tried to use his arm to force throws, and he’s going to be punished for mistakes at the next level. Levis is the real deal, though, and there are lots of fans of him in the NFL.”

Valentine the only other UK player projected in Mel Kiper's ratings. He was the 14th overall cornerback.

 

[Bluesnky]

Kiper is off his game. The cast of playmakers supporting Levis was very good. The OL was very bad and it’s bad attributes were exacerbated by Levis never checking down or throwing it away.

 

[3632]

Kiper is off his game. The cast of playmakers supporting Levis was very good. The OL was very bad and it’s bad attributes were exacerbated by Levis never checking down or throwing it away.

I think some of that is we think brown and key were phenomenal and they were ‘for their age’ but we’re so used to having nothing on the perimeter we don’t realize those guys had their share of issues just from being young and inexperienced.

 

[K_TIME]

Kiper is off his game. The cast of playmakers supporting Levis was very good. The OL was very bad and it’s bad attributes were exacerbated by Levis never checking down or throwing it away.

It’s like guys get a narrative and argue to it or matter what

If Crod Key Tayvion Brown are not a good supporting cast….outside of Bama UGA Ohio St and Clemson …does anyone else

 

[YaketySax]

Kiper is off his game. The cast of playmakers supporting Levis was very good. The OL was very bad and it’s bad attributes were exacerbated by Levis never checking down or throwing it away.

I imagine it’s semantics.

When Kiper says “great” it’s because he’s familiar with first or second round players in 2023 draft. It’s about his scale versus ours. I didn’t take it to mean he thought less of UK’s cast in a vacuum just relative to sure fire 1-2 round picks.

Like, Stroud got to throw to Harrison Jr and Smith-Njigba who he grades first round talent. Caleb Williams got to throw to his #16 overall. Etc. Maybe Brown and Key will be those guys one day but Levis did not have that type of supporting cast.

 

[megablue]

I think some of that is we think brown and key were phenomenal and they were ‘for their age’ but we’re so used to having nothing on the perimeter we don’t realize those guys had their share of issues just from being young and inexperienced.

Brown and Key really stick out because they are true freshmen and they are clearly good. But … if you throw passes, SOMEBODY is going to catch them. This year, it was them. They were on the field to do so. I cannot help but wonder how many teams in the SEC would they get as many on-field snaps this year ?? Hard to really know.

 

[Smashcat]

I don’t care where he’s drafted but would like to see Levis have some pro success.

 

[KyCatFan]

Whichever team drafts Levis at #3 will have some people out of a job in the next year or two. I hope he proves me wrong but I just don't see a high level NFL QB when I watch Levis. I expect him to be a clipboard holder most of his time in the NFL. If he thought it was bad here his last year just wait until he has NFL defensive lines hitting him. Tim Couch didn't last long behind a bad OL.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Houston Texans is where Levis will be playing next year.

 

[KYWC36]

Kiper is off his game. The cast of playmakers supporting Levis was very good. The OL was very bad and it’s bad attributes were exacerbated by Levis never checking down or throwing it away.

I think his assessment is fair because while our playmakers are good for us, the best ones are young and overall Levis doesn’t have near the talent around him that the top QBs like stroud, young, Williams or Bennett has. With the exception of c-rod our best weapons are all freshmen compare that to say Georgia that has 4 NFL players in their tight end room alone

 

[KYWC36]

Whichever team drafts Levis at #3 will have some people out of a job in the next year or two. I hope he proves me wrong but I just don't see a high level NFL QB when I watch Levis. I expect him to be a clipboard holder most of his time in the NFL. If he thought it was bad here his last year just wait until you have NFL defensive lines hitting him. Tim Couch didn't last long behind a bad OL.

No QB does and the NFL doesn’t give you much time to figure it out before they move on

 

[bigblueinsanity]

In many ways brown and levis are the same. Huge upside and knack for big plays but also the knack for tons of little mistakes that derail an offense.

Levis has a chance to be truly great. Pocket presence must improve and more importantly his decision making needs to rapidly speed up. The average drop back for an NFL QB is 3 seconds or less and right now Levis is way too slow.

 

[screwduke1]

Houston Texans is where Levis will be playing next year.

I hope my Colts find a way to get him. Lord knows we gotta draft a QB next draft...but Levis may be a little out of reach for us.

 

[truebluewildcat]

Fair assessment.

Essentially big dude big arm. Fits the mold of a pro style QB.

I like the cbs sports mock draft take. Has him going to Seattle and basically says sign Geno short term…let Will develop

Whether it’s Seahawks or someone else similar. That is the perfect scenario. I don’t think he’s the guy right now to take over a dumpster fire. He needs to sit, get acclimated, learn a system at a place that is fairly stable like Seattle. They’re 7-5 right now and will probably make the playoffs which means they’re stable and just a free agent signing or two away from seriously contending.

 

[coachcombs57]

His stats in college compare very favorably to josh allen. Which is where the excitement stems from. Big, strong armed, athlete, that also has strong leadership traits. NFL guys will see that and believe they can help him figure the rest out

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Something to watch 4 is Seahawks have Denvers pic which is a top 5 right now. Levis in Htown or Denver probably.

 

[Slater_Wooderson]

The higher Levis is drafted, the better it will be for the UK football program.

 

[TOMCATS1990]

Levi’s is a top 10 pick……..

 

[Smashcat]

 

[JBHolmesfan]

Our skill position players were certainly respectable. I do not see any of Stafford’s game in Levis. Stafford is one of the most gifted passers I’ve ever seen. Levis has a strong arm, but struggles mightily with accuracy at times. The Stafford comparison makes no sense to me.

 

[Soupbean]

Kiper is off his game. The cast of playmakers supporting Levis was very good. The OL was very bad and it’s bad attributes were exacerbated by Levis never checking down or throwing it away.

I agree with a lot of what he said but agree with you that he's off on some of his analysis too. The big one I'd disagree and the thing I think he needs to work on the most is his pocket awareness and ability to move in the pocket.

Will is a really good athlete and can run once he gets going, but he is not quick footed or cat like and is much more of an effective runner in space than he is in a tight box. He will have to learn to get on roller skates with his feet and not be so heavy footed in there in the NFL.

Almost have to be a tap dancer to be effective there to make plays. Brady was the closest to being able to be effective just standing in a pocket but even he had some floatability to him to get throws off. Not many others will ever be effective standing like a statue and have to be able to move quickly to make plays today.

 

[NoDef]

Our skill position players were certainly respectable. I do not see any of Stafford’s game in Levis. Stafford is one of the most gifted passers I’ve ever seen. Levis has a strong arm, but struggles mightily with accuracy at times. The Stafford comparison makes no sense to me.

Levis was number 28 in CFB in completion percentage playing behind one of the worst lines in college football. I read something a while back that said he was one of the most accurate QBs in the nation throwing under pressure and he had a lot of it with that line. He made some great throws this year when he had decent time. There is a reason NFL scouts still think more highly of him than many on this board..

 

[JonathanW]

Whichever team drafts Levis at #3 will have some people out of a job in the next year or two. I hope he proves me wrong but I just don't see a high level NFL QB when I watch Levis. I expect him to be a clipboard holder most of his time in the NFL. If he thought it was bad here his last year just wait until he has NFL defensive lines hitting him. Tim Couch didn't last long behind a bad OL.

Yeah, I see him as a solid backup or a bottom 12 starting QB.
This year has you question his pocket awareness.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Levis was number 28 in CFB in completion percentage playing behind one of the worst lines in college football. I read something a while back that said he was one of the most accurate QBs in the nation throwing under pressure and he had a lot of it with that line. He made some great throws this year when he had decent time. There is a reason NFL scouts still think more highly of him than many on this board..

False. It has alot to do with him holding the ball and being unable to make decisive reads.

I know yenser stole your lunch money but the OL wasn't nearly as bad as some say. They certainly had their struggles but it was mostly inconsistency. Towards the end they played really well.

 

[JBHolmesfan]

Levis was number 28 in CFB in completion percentage playing behind one of the worst lines in college football. I read something a while back that said he was one of the most accurate QBs in the nation throwing under pressure and he had a lot of it with that line. He made some great throws this year when he had decent time. There is a reason NFL scouts still think more highly of him than many on this board..

I understand the scouts love him. The scouts also loved Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Zach Wilson, and many other players that were busts. Many scouts liked Mitch Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes.

It’s not impossible for scouts to miss badly and when they say part of Levis’ issues are the lack of talent at the skill position, I question how much they’ve actually scouted UK’s team.

 

[KMKAT]

Houston Texans is where Levis will be playing next year.

Indy another choice and these 2 teams won't let him still be on the board.

And both teams need a new head coach.

When Levis came to us, all I saw were running QB highlights. You never saw his arm at Penn State.
I will say though when healthy, he has intangibles many QBs coming out don't have.

Would you take Hooker, Ratliffe, Nix or Bennett over Levis for the next level?

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I think some of that is we think brown and key were phenomenal and they were ‘for their age’ but we’re so used to having nothing on the perimeter we don’t realize those guys had their share of issues just from being young and inexperienced.

Key and Brown benefited from having Levis in the first year. Hopefully, they continue to improve and Leary benefits from having them and Robinson.

 

[dvillecatfan]

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