Sell Me on Levis as a First Round Pick

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

I just don't see Levis as being worthy of a Top 10 pick. I've not seen him display the skill I'd want to see in order to draft him that high. I know he was injured this year and had O-Line issues. He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc), but I feel he's more of a "potential" type pick and I just don't see it.

Can someone please provide like a specific moment or piece of evidence from a game this year that convinced you he was really a Top 10 dude. I love the dude and wished we would have him back next year for one more year to develop, but as he is right now, I fear he's going to get some NFL GM fired.

 

[TNTUK]

I just don't see Levis as being worthy of a Top 10 pick. I've not seen him display the skill I'd want to see in order to draft him that high. I know he was injured this year and had O-Line issues. He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc), but I feel he's more of a "potential" type pick and I just don't see it.

Can someone please provide like a specific moment or piece of evidence from a game this year that convinced you he was really a Top 10 dude. I love the dude and wished we would have him back next year for one more year to develop, but as he is right now, I fear he's going to get some NFL GM fired.

Why do you care if he “gets some NFL GM fired”?

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I just don't see Levis as being worthy of a Top 10 pick. I've not seen him display the skill I'd want to see in order to draft him that high. I know he was injured this year and had O-Line issues. He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc), but I feel he's more of a "potential" type pick and I just don't see it.

Can someone please provide like a specific moment or piece of evidence from a game this year that convinced you he was really a Top 10 dude. I love the dude and wished we would have him back next year for one more year to develop, but as he is right now, I fear he's going to get some NFL GM fired.

I think you answered your own question as to why he is being considered.

 

[WildCard]

I just don't see Levis as being worthy of a Top 10 pick. I've not seen him display the skill I'd want to see in order to draft him that high. I know he was injured this year and had O-Line issues. He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc), but I feel he's more of a "potential" type pick and I just don't see it.

Can someone please provide like a specific moment or piece of evidence from a game this year that convinced you he was really a Top 10 dude. I love the dude and wished we would have him back next year for one more year to develop, but as he is right now, I fear he's going to get some NFL GM fired.

I don't watch NFL like I once did but it strikes me that Levis is an "investment QB". By that I mean he is not ready now but could be very good in a few years. But, if true, do you
draft such a player in the first round?

There is no question about his arm strength, physical size, etc. but, after playing in a run first offense, does he have the other necessary pro-QB skills? (pre-snap reads, drop quickness, overall field vision, ball handling/run fakes, etc.

No doubt he can "learn" such skills but coming from a "run first" college offense probably makes it more difficult than coming from a passing offense. JMO.

Peace

 

[gamecockcat]

He's definitely in need of growth/improvement but there are also intangibles that you didn't mention: work ethic, strong leadership skills, willingness to put himself at risk for the team, overall intelligence, etc. Those characteristics may be more of what sets him apart than big arm, athletic, etc.

With QBs, the biggest problems are: 1) do they have the physical tools to handle the job? and 2) do they have the mental makeup to improve, work hard, study film, be coachable, be likable by his teammates, take responsibility for mistakes, have a burning desire to be the best, etc.? In Will's case, I'd say a definite 'yes' to #1 and a 'very likely' to #2.

With his physical traits, you'll NEVER be able to draft a comparable QB lower than the 1st or second round. QBs are just that much in demand. As a talent evaluator, you'd have to know what other QBs in this and subsequent drafts possess, listen to Will's coaches' evaluation, talk to the kid, etc. If you pass on him, there better be solid reasons to do so. Josh Allen came out of Wyoming with a lot of the same traits as Will. No way to tell if stepping up into the NFL was going to be too big a jump (Wentz, Goff). In Allen's draft, Mayfield (OU) and Sam Donald (USC) were drafted ahead of him and they played 'big boy' football compared to Allen. Yet, they are both scrambling to hold onto a job while JA is a star. No doubt it's a crapshoot.

With the right coaching and hundreds more reps under his belt, I think Will has what it takes to be above average in the NFL. That's really all you can hope for with a first round QB, imo.

 

[TNTUK]

Dude just joined this morning and is probably just trolling.

 

[Johnfarrel]

I don't watch NFL like I once did but it strikes me that Levis is an "investment QB". By that I mean he is not ready now but could be very good in a few years. But, if true, do you
draft such a player in the first round?

There is no question about his arm strength, physical size, etc. but, after playing in a run first offense, does he have the other necessary pro-QB skills? (pre-snap reads, drop quickness, overall field vision, ball handling/run fakes, etc.

No doubt he can "learn" such skills but coming from a "run first" college offense probably makes it more difficult than coming from a passing offense. JMO.

Peace

Good to hear from you, Wildcard. There are two QBs in this draft that should and will be taken before Levis. His competition for third pick is Richardson and I would take him in a heartbeat over Richardson who showed almost on the field. Is top ten too high for Levis? Most analysis don't think so.

 

[BlueRunner11]

Dude just joined this morning and is probably just trolling.

Absolutely is. Started a similar thread in the basketball forum about Oscar T.

 

[TuckyFB]

Potential.

This past year wasn't his greatest because of his injuries and the O-Line, but you give him weapons in the NFL and I think he can be a good starter. In CBS' latest mock draft they have him going to the Raiders with the 6th pick. He would have Devante Adams and Josh Jacobs. If he goes to the Raiders, he'll be behind Jimmy Garoppolo to start, but could be a similar situation to the Steelers. Trubisky started the season and midway through Pickett was the starter.

 

[jca4446]

I just don't see Levis as being worthy of a Top 10 pick. I've not seen him display the skill I'd want to see in order to draft him that high. I know he was injured this year and had O-Line issues. He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc), but I feel he's more of a "potential" type pick and I just don't see it.

Can someone please provide like a specific moment or piece of evidence from a game this year that convinced you he was really a Top 10 dude. I love the dude and wished we would have him back next year for one more year to develop, but as he is right now, I fear he's going to get some NFL GM fired.

Let’s just say he IS better than you MR. EXPERT.

 

[maroon79]

There are 7-8 teams that would take WL in the 1st in a heartbeat

Do you really think that he will get past the Titans at 11?

Umm, no, he will be gone by then

 

[Ky grandpa]

Levis is a very good QB, is he the best out there each game,?? No but he has a lot of tools to work with and a good QB coach can bring it out and he will have lot's of more time to get it right...
He is one of the top 3 this year...

GBB

 

[K_TIME]

I just don't see Levis as being worthy of a Top 10 pick. I've not seen him display the skill I'd want to see in order to draft him that high. I know he was injured this year and had O-Line issues. He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc), but I feel he's more of a "potential" type pick and I just don't see it.

Can someone please provide like a specific moment or piece of evidence from a game this year that convinced you he was really a Top 10 dude. I love the dude and wished we would have him back next year for one more year to develop, but as he is right now, I fear he's going to get some NFL GM fired.

I'll take a stab.

1. You stated "game from this year" but why not last year's film?
2. Last year Levis was super in Iowa game with 1/2 Oline a mess in front of him.
Last year Levis was in control of Tennessee game
Last year Levis was very solid vs. nations best D UGA....
Last year Levis was dominate in LSU (turns out they were not that good but at the time they were ranked)

In the end, Levis had a bad year in 2022 by my eye test but his 2021 was very promising. Can I lay all of this at feet of a terrible Oline and Scangerello.....maybe not all but it's not insane that Coen he flourished and Scangerello was a bad fit and his performance dips as a result.

So in the end, Levis has all kinds of natural gifts for NFL. Size, Arm strength...he even can make plays with his feet. Levis for sure is durable and can take pounding. (which is questionable for other QBs in this draft). Levis does have a tendency to be inaccurate at times which is a concern. But the kid did put it together in 2021 for quite a few games and in big moments (i.e. he didn't just rack up stats vs. scrubs and dissapear in big games).

I personally think he's lesser of a college QB than Stroud and Young....but Young has the body type that has zero pedigree of a successful NFL QB. Why teams even consider Anthony Richardson. The guys played 2 years and been a hot mess in most of the games he's played and 2 years of Florida losing 7 games in each of those 2 years.....that hardly ever happens at Florida.

So Levis is solidly a top 3 QB in this draft....and that alone is why he should be a first round pick

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

Why do you care if he “gets some NFL GM fired”?

I don't. It's just an expression. Calm down princess.

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

I don't watch NFL like I once did but it strikes me that Levis is an "investment QB". By that I mean he is not ready now but could be very good in a few years. But, if true, do you
draft such a player in the first round?

There is no question about his arm strength, physical size, etc. but, after playing in a run first offense, does he have the other necessary pro-QB skills? (pre-snap reads, drop quickness, overall field vision, ball handling/run fakes, etc.

No doubt he can "learn" such skills but coming from a "run first" college offense probably makes it more difficult than coming from a passing offense. JMO.

Peace

That's my biggest concern is accuracy and the cognitive abilities to process visual information quickly. I feel like those were his biggest areas that needed improvement. It felt like under Coen that Coen essentially schemed up perfect situations for him to hit his first read and if it wasn't open Wan'Dale was so damn good he was just gonna get open anyways. Didn't have that luxury this season and I didn't think he improved at all.

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

Let’s just say he IS better than you MR. EXPERT.

Of course he is? I'm not a D1 QB, never claimed to be. Don't come in here with a clown ass post like this like you've never been critical of a player that was playing at a level you never achieved lol. I promise, you don't have to be a dork on the internet. You really don't.

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

I'll take a stab.

1. You stated "game from this year" but why not last year's film?
2. Last year Levis was super in Iowa game with 1/2 Oline a mess in front of him.
Last year Levis was in control of Tennessee game
Last year Levis was very solid vs. nations best D UGA....
Last year Levis was dominate in LSU (turns out they were not that good but at the time they were ranked)

In the end, Levis had a bad year in 2022 by my eye test but his 2021 was very promising. Can I lay all of this at feet of a terrible Oline and Scangerello.....maybe not all but it's not insane that Coen he flourished and Scangerello was a bad fit and his performance dips as a result.

So in the end, Levis has all kinds of natural gifts for NFL. Size, Arm strength...he even can make plays with his feet. Levis for sure is durable and can take pounding. (which is questionable for other QBs in this draft). Levis does have a tendency to be inaccurate at times which is a concern. But the kid did put it together in 2021 for quite a few games and in big moments (i.e. he didn't just rack up stats vs. scrubs and dissapear in big games).

I personally think he's lesser of a college QB than Stroud and Young....but Young has the body type that has zero pedigree of a successful NFL QB. Why teams even consider Anthony Richardson. The guys played 2 years and been a hot mess in most of the games he's played and 2 years of Florida losing 7 games in each of those 2 years.....that hardly ever happens at Florida.

So Levis is solidly a top 3 QB in this draft....and that alone is why he should be a first round pick

I appreciate the post. You make a lot of good points. Yes, I'd forgotten about the final drive two years ago. That was a pro-drive (albeit in a game that was kind of already over). My biggest question about Levis's performance from his first year is how much of that was Wan'Dale and how much was actually Levis?

Feels like Levis and Richardson are kind of cut from the same mold. Both have the body/arm/size and GMs are willing to gamble that they have some sort of Josh Allen breakthrough. I'm not sure if we'll ever see anyone improve the way Allen did though once he got to the pros. Feels like it's just such a risk hitching your wagon to a guy who you hope will duplicate a level of improvement that's realistically only ever happened once in the NFL.

 

[UKSanders]

I appreciate the post. You make a lot of good points. Yes, I'd forgotten about the final drive two years ago. That was a pro-drive (albeit in a game that was kind of already over). My biggest question about Levis's performance from his first year is how much of that was Wan'Dale and how much was actually Levis?

Feels like Levis and Richardson are kind of cut from the same mold. Both have the body/arm/size and GMs are willing to gamble that they have some sort of Josh Allen breakthrough. I'm not sure if we'll ever see anyone improve the way Allen did though once he got to the pros. Feels like it's just such a risk hitching your wagon to a guy who you hope will duplicate a level of improvement that's realistically only ever happened once in the NFL.

Even though Levis isn't a pinpoint accurate passer, I think Levis is head and shoulders above Richardson as far as accuracy.

I do think his biggest hurdle in the NFL will be quickness of field awareness/recognition. That improves with experience, but elite quickness in recognizing the field is the difference between the great QBs and everyone else.

 

[K_TIME]

I appreciate the post. You make a lot of good points. Yes, I'd forgotten about the final drive two years ago. That was a pro-drive (albeit in a game that was kind of already over). My biggest question about Levis's performance from his first year is how much of that was Wan'Dale and how much was actually Levis?

Feels like Levis and Richardson are kind of cut from the same mold. Both have the body/arm/size and GMs are willing to gamble that they have some sort of Josh Allen breakthrough. I'm not sure if we'll ever see anyone improve the way Allen did though once he got to the pros. Feels like it's just such a risk hitching your wagon to a guy who you hope will duplicate a level of improvement that's realistically only ever happened once in the NFL.

I get it...but I think we way overplay Wandale at UK. He was a great WR for UK but he was 5'9...he never caught a deep go route and out jumped dudes for 50/50 balls and I don't remember him making a ton of crazy catches....or taking short throws adn running for 50 yards (he certainly did his share though). We don't ding Young who played with 2 NFL WR or Stroud who played with like 4-5 NFL WR...not to mention they both played with substantially better Oline.

So, Will to me might have a slow ticker in terms of brain power, ability to see the play before the snap, react to things, etc...all that I buy as a potential concern. I can see Young and Stroud (but they both had substantially better supporting casts to be fair) but Anthony Richardson is not really close to Levis and feels like an insult to a degree to see him rise on draft boards. He sucked so bad in UK game last year...it was laughable. And that is pretty much how he played most of the year. So why a NFL combine matters so much over actual game play is NFL's decisions....but seems stupid to me.

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

I get it...but I think we way overplay Wandale at UK. He was a great WR for UK but he was 5'9...he never caught a deep go route and out jumped dudes for 50/50 balls and I don't remember him making a ton of crazy catches....or taking short throws adn running for 50 yards (he certainly did his share though). We don't ding Young who played with 2 NFL WR or Stroud who played with like 4-5 NFL WR...not to mention they both played with substantially better Oline.

So, Will to me might have a slow ticker in terms of brain power, ability to see the play before the snap, react to things, etc...all that I buy as a potential concern. I can see Young and Stroud (but they both had substantially better supporting casts to be fair) but Anthony Richardson is not really close to Levis and feels like an insult to a degree to see him rise on draft boards. He sucked so bad in UK game last year...it was laughable. And that is pretty much how he played most of the year. So why a NFL combine matters so much over actual game play is NFL's decisions....but seems stupid to me.

Idk man. I seem to remember Wan'Dale making some absolute spectacular plays/catches the year he played. I know Levis didn't look the same without him and that he made a name for himself on that Giant's roster before he got hurt.

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

Even though Levis isn't a pinpoint accurate passer, I think Levis is head and shoulders above Richardson as far as accuracy.

I do think his biggest hurdle in the NFL will be quickness of field awareness/recognition. That improves with experience, but elite quickness in recognizing the field is the difference between the great QBs and everyone else.

I agree with this totally. Levis at least proved he could accurately deliver a ball to a wide open receiver, something Richardson struggled with. But I've not seen many examples of Levis throwing dudes open. That's my biggest concern. Ultimately these things are more about "timing and fit" than anything else, so here's to hoping!

 

[KYWC36]

The NFL is dumb and puts work out warriors in shorts and a cut off above actual game film. The draft, specifically for QBs. is much like the NBA, pure what if lottery pick. Not saying he can't succeed, just saying his stock is based purely on athletic traits not on the on the field accomplishments

 

[TNTUK]

I don't. It's just an expression. Calm down princess.

You seemed “concerned” as you said in your original post so i was curious. You’re the softie here, not me.

 

[JHB4UK]

Idk man. I seem to remember Wan'Dale making some absolute spectacular plays/catches the year he played. I know Levis didn't look the same without him and that he made a name for himself on that Giant's roster before he got hurt.

Same here. Game 1 he took midfield slant and face first trucked a safety 4 in taller 30 lbs bigger with him into the end zone. The Iowa game winning drive he got targeted with a sideline heads hot. Then a couple plays later caught the explosive deep pass that put us 1st & goal.

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

You seemed “concerned” as you said in your original post so i was curious. You’re the softie here, not me.

You’re the one getting triggered over a simple message board post. Who hurt you?

I was clearly using that expression to emphasize my point. Not to express actual concern over the job of some millionaire I’ll never meet.

Sorry that wasn’t more clear to you. Next time I post I’ll be sure to hold your hand and walk you to the point like a kid crossing a parking lot with mommy and daddy.

 

[TNTUK]

You’re the one getting triggered over a simple message board post. Who hurt you?

I was clearly using that expression to emphasize my point. Not to express actual concern over the job of some millionaire I’ll never meet.

Sorry that wasn’t more clear to you. Next time I post I’ll be sure to hold your hand and walk you to the point like a kid crossing a parking lot with mommy and daddy.

There is zero concern that Levis will get a GM fired. That’s a phrase only fans of other schools have used when talking about him being a top 10 pick. (in particular, Tennessee).

I’m also not sure why we have to convince you - just about every NFL analyst and scout has Levis going in the top 10. There is plenty of info out there for you to read on why he is a Top 10 prospect.

 

[maroon79]

Just take a look at how GMs whiff on QBs.

Mahomes
Brees
Brady
Herbert
Purdy
Cousins
Tqneyhill
Pickett
Baker
Watson
Wilson
Z Wison
Akil
J George

The list is endless

 

[wobycat]

Pros - Tough, durable, strong arm, can run


Cons - indecisive, forces into coverage

Project pick, That someone will take a chance on. If they can fix his mental game, he can turn into a pro bowl type QB. If not, he will be done in two to three years.

 

[gamecockcat]

Just take a look at how GMs whiff on QBs.

Mahomes
Brees
Brady
Herbert
Purdy
Cousins
Tqneyhill
Pickett
Baker
Watson
Wilson
Z Wison
Akil
J George

The list is endless

Not sure the list above is all that accurate (and, going back 25 years to Brady?). Could easily compile a list of QBs drafted in Rd 1 that barely kept a job beyond their rookie contract. From your list, Cousins is above average but that's about it, isn't it? Taneyhill? Really? Is he a franchise QB? Not sure where he got drafted but I'd bet it wasn't in the first round. Baker Mayfield? The same guy who's on his 3rd franchise and still on his rookie contract? Zach Wilson? He got benched and probably won't play a snap this year. Akili Smith? Lord, he was dreadful. Jeff George? The ultimate journeyman. Great physical ability but could really never put it together. So, I'm not sure what that list is supposed to represent. GMs made great picks or GMs made terrible picks (relative to the draft position). Which is it?

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Just take a look at how GMs whiff on QBs.

Mahomes
Brees
Brady
Herbert
Purdy
Cousins
Tqneyhill
Pickett
Baker
Watson
Wilson
Z Wison,
Akil
J George

The list is endless

That's a nice list of QBs who did well, but you could make a list of bust who were drafted top 2-3 round that would be just as long, starting with Ryan Leaf, the QB from LSU taken by the Raiders, Johnny Foodball, RGIII, Zack Wilson fits more on the bust the than made it list. Even Can Newton was at AU's pro day trying to catch on.

 

[maroon79]

Akili Smith?

Jeff George?

Heath Shuler

Rick Mirer

The list is endless both ways

 

[Marleydogg]

I appreciate the post. You make a lot of good points. Yes, I'd forgotten about the final drive two years ago. That was a pro-drive (albeit in a game that was kind of already over). My biggest question about Levis's performance from his first year is how much of that was Wan'Dale and how much was actually Levis?

Feels like Levis and Richardson are kind of cut from the same mold. Both have the body/arm/size and GMs are willing to gamble that they have some sort of Josh Allen breakthrough. I'm not sure if we'll ever see anyone improve the way Allen did though once he got to the pros. Feels like it's just such a risk hitching your wagon to a guy who you hope will duplicate a level of improvement that's realistically only ever happened once in the NFL.

Tom Brady? Brett Favre?

Just to name a couple. Allen was 7th overall pick, lol. Not like a team took a flyer in the 5 th round.

 

[Marleydogg]

I think maroon was pointing out both guys way overdrafted, as well as under. Probably should have separated them better though.

 

[RevolutionizeTheGame]

Tom Brady? Brett Favre?

Just to name a couple. Allen was 7th overall pick, lol. Not like a team took a flyer in the 5 th round.

Brady and Favre are the anomalies, the exceptions. They're not the rule lol. Allen was absolutely seen as a "project" QB and not even the craziest person alive could have predicted this level of improvement from him. It's unprecedented.

 

[Cat06]

"He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc)"

Its Sh*t like this that keeps all races fighting and bickering in this country. I will guarantee you that not a single NFL GM cares about a potential QBs skin color, but you speak for all of them?

 

[StubbornPenny]

Because he has all the tools for the modern NFL and his ceiling has no limit. Literally nothing else matters.

The NBA spends all it's time drafting on measurables because they're all chasing that max contract level player. It doesn't matter if you're a 6'2'' guy who hit every shot they took in college - they want the measurables as close to a Giannis or LeBron that they can, because that player is infinitely more valuable that the former.

NFL is getting to be like that. You need a QB to win, period. Why get stuck with a Carr or a Goff who's decent and you go 9-7, 7-9 every year with no real shot of winning. Shoot for the moon and if you fail, shoot for it again.

 

[pauled]

Absolutely is. Started a similar thread in the basketball forum about Oscar T.

Yep!

 

[Spica Orbit]

I just don't see Levis as being worthy of a Top 10 pick. I've not seen him display the skill I'd want to see in order to draft him that high. I know he was injured this year and had O-Line issues. He obviously looks the part of the type of QB that all NFL Scouts and GMs love (Big, Tall, Muscular, Huge Arm, White, Etc), but I feel he's more of a "potential" type pick and I just don't see it.

Can someone please provide like a specific moment or piece of evidence from a game this year that convinced you he was really a Top 10 dude. I love the dude and wished we would have him back next year for one more year to develop, but as he is right now, I fear he's going to get some NFL GM fired.

---
Sell yourself.....& then go back to the UL or UT board or whatever trash can you crawled out of.

 

[CatPatrick13]

I don't. It's just an expression. Calm down princess.

Don’t be a pussy

 

[JBHolmesfan]

Pros - Tough, durable, strong arm, can run


Cons - indecisive, forces into coverage

Project pick, That someone will take a chance on. If they can fix his mental game, he can turn into a pro bowl type QB. If not, he will be done in two to three years.

I agree with this. I will add his age being a con given that he’s a project pick. He’ll be 24 by the time the season starts. That’s pretty old for someone who’s considered a project. I’ve seen people suggest he can go somewhere and be a backup for a year. That’d put him at 25 before being a starter. Can it happen? Sure, but that’s awfully old for someone you’re hoping will develop.