The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and now it’s time for dynasty rookie drafts. Landing spots and draft capital have been determined, and we’re here with your dynasty rookie draft outlooks. Let’s take a look at what Derek Brown expects of Will Levis.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks & Predictions: Will Levis
Stats:
- 2022 (minimum 150 dropbacks)
- PFF passing grade: 92nd
- Adjusted completion rate: 29th
- Yards per attempt: 26th
- Big-time throw rate: 129th
- Deep passing (minimum 20 deep passing attempts)
- Adjusted completion rate: 26th
- Deep throw rate: 102nd
- Pressured passing (minimum 50 pressured dropbacks)
- Adjusted completion rate:
- Pressured rate:
- 2021 (minimum 150 dropbacks)
- PFF passing grade: 24th
- Adjusted completion rate: 37th
- Yards per attempt: 46th
- Big-time throw rate: 96th
- Deep passing (minimum 20 deep passing attempts)
- Adjusted completion rate: 62nd
- Deep throw rate: 72nd
- Pressured passing (minimum 50 pressured dropbacks)
- Adjusted completion rate: 71st
- Pressured rate: 100th
Scouting report:
- It’s not hard to see how an NFL team could be enamored with Levis. When he’s on, he’s a playmaking dual-threat quarterback tossing lasers all over the field with touch into tight windows. Levis has arguably the strongest arm of this quarterback draft class. He can flick the ball 40 yards down the field with ease. His deep ball can produce some wow moments.
- The issue for Levis is those moments can be fleeting. His play-to-play consistency has to improve to be an average to above-average starter in the NFL. The eye-popping moments for Levis also need some context. Levis was a one-read pony in college. If his first read wasn’t open, in many cases, he was struggling or attempting to fit an ill-advised throw to the receiver anyway. Asking him to go through progressions is a projection. Corners in college had no problems reading his eyes and jumping routes, as Levis continually stared down his first read. Levis is also late to feel pressure in many instances. He will also flee a clean pocket.
- His footwork gets sloppy at times, which hurts his accuracy at every level. This is most easily seen with his Jekyll and Hyde short-area accuracy. His ball placement can also be scattershot, with him sailing passes, underthrowing receivers, and putting balls behind them.
- Levis has some rushing ability, with at least 216 rushing yards in three of his last four collegiate seasons. I’m curious how much of that transfers to the NFL level. Levis is a straight-line runner with little wiggle to his game. He will deploy the occasional spin move, but he’s mostly a charge straight ahead-type that occasionally lowers his shoulder. His invitation for contact with defenders could be problematic long term for his health despite his sturdy 6’3″ frame.
- Levis is the ultimate “traits-based” draft pick. If he hits, he could be a franchise-changing signal-caller that carves a spot out among the league’s best. He also carries massive bust potential.
Player Comp: Carson Wentz
Dynasty Outlook: After the NFL attempted to pull the wool over dynasty GMs’ eyes, Will Levis fell like a stone through the first round of the NFL draft before settling in as a second-round pick. The fall from draft capital grace hurts his potential hit rate as a fantasy asset. I was already divided on his murky outlook as an NFL-caliber quarterback, but this slippage will cause me to fade him more than some. Levis still has possibly a year behind Ryan Tannehill before he sees the NFL field, so there’s a waiting period for fantasy points here. The waiting game might not be worth it in the end. Levis is a late first-round or high second-round pick in Superflex dynasty rookie drafts that could blow up in your face.
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