The best NFL Draft landing spots for Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, ranked

After all the speculation and misinformation, former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis finally finds out Thursday night where his NFL career will begin.

The monsoon of mock drafts has NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calling Levis’ name anywhere from pick No. 1 (a stretch) to not until Friday, when the second round starts (an even bigger stretch). The consensus is the Connecticut native will be among the top 10 selections in this NFL Draft. We shall see.

The important part comes next. It’s not where you’re picked, it’s how you play. So said Bill Walsh. Not all situations are the same. So here we rank the best potential landing spots for Mr. Levis:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Picking at No. 4, it’s no secret the Colts have done their due diligence on Levis. A squadron of front office personnel/coaches journeyed from Indy to Lexington to work Levis out. Then the Colts brought the quarterback to Indianapolis for private meetings.

The Colts are coming off a disastrous 4-12-1 season that got Frank Reich fired. Former Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is the new head coach. But Levis would follow a couple of flame-outs in Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan. Plus, Indy has weapons, lead by running back Jonathan Taylor. The Colts just need a quarterback.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback Kirk Cousins is 35 years old and in the final year of his contract. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell worked with UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen on the Los Angeles Rams’ staff. Minnesota made the playoffs last year, but given Cousins’ circumstances, the Vikings could be looking to trade up from their No. 23 spot to draft a quarterback of the future.

3. New England Patriots: Yes, the Patriots. New England has the 14th pick, but Bill Belichick raised some eyebrows last week when he brought Levis to Foxboro for a visit. Mac Jones struggled in his sophomore season with the Pats. And while new/old coordinator Bill O’Brien has a relationship with Jones from their Alabama days, the Pats could be looking to go in another direction. There are worse fates than playing for Belichick.

From NFL Now: What to make of the #Patriots hosting QB prospect Will Levis? pic.twitter.com/SKmbBPdipi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2023

4. Las Vegas Raiders: After cutting Derek Carr loose, the Raiders reunited Jimmy Garoppolo with head coach Josh McDaniel, Jimmy G’s OC in New England. There’s talk the Raiders hope Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud falls to their No. 7 spot in the draft order. If not, Levis could be an option for a team that made the playoffs two years ago. The jury is out on McDaniels as a head coach, but Levis could learn behind Garoppolo. And the thought of throwing to Davante Adams is appealing.

5. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick from Chicago with the purpose of drafting a quarterback. A Reddittor claimed inside info that Levis is that quarterback. Others insist Alabama’s Bryce Young is that quarterback. My guess is Young, but if Levis did happen to hear his name called first, there are pros and cons. Being the No. 1 overall pick brings added pressure. But the Panthers have improved their offense by signing free agents Adam Thielen, Hayden Hurst and D.J. Chark. Veteran QB Andy Dalton could help Levis develop.

6. Tennessee Titans: After missing the playoffs last season, the Titans are in transformation mode. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is 35 years old and in the final year of his contract. Peter King reported the front office has already lost faith in Malik Willis, a third-round pick last year. Reports say Tennessee wants to be more balanced in its attack, which could play to Levis’ strengths.

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis will be in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday night for the first round of the NFL Draft.

7. Houston Texans: There’s buzz the Texans could take Levis at No. 2. Houston has a new coach in DeMeco Ryans, who worked with former UK offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello in San Francisco. Still, Houston has a lot of needs after a 3-13-1 season. Not an ideal spot for a rookie quarterback. The buzz may actually be a smoke screen for teams itching to trade up.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It’s unlikely Levis will still be around when the Bucs pick at No. 19. Good thing, too. You want to be the quarterback that follows the quarterback who follows Tom Brady.