ESPN draft expert reveals NFL comparison for Will Levis

Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis is a controversial prospect. Expected to be a high first-round pick, some people think that Levis is a can’t-miss player. Still, others don’t understand the hype around him.

Now, ESPN draft expert Matt Miller has given an interesting comparison for Levis, saying that he’s a lot like Matthew Stafford, a former number-one overall pick who recently won the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.

“Levis’ numbers at Kentucky — 2,406 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions — are not good enough for the first round, but scouts love his 6-3, 232-pound build, toughness, arm strength and mentality as a passer,” Miller explained.

“Levis is very boom or bust, and he has to improve his decision-making.”

One NFL Draft expert who loves Levis is ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. He has said that he thinks Levis is the best quarterback available in the NFL Draft. He’s even found ways to excuse Levis’ awful 2022 season.

“Because I saw him in 2021 play so well. 10-3 record he led them to, he had help from his o-line, Wan’Dale Robinson was there and he was making throws at any point on the field, snapping it off from his ear, running with the football, running for over 100 yards on that LSU defense, was outstanding against that Georgia defense, completed a high percentage of passes against that talent-laden Bulldog squad,” Kiper said.

“The way he fought back from injury and played through injury, significant injuries, this year, while a lot of guys would have been watching from the sidelines, he was out there competing. Obviously, the turnovers he needs to cut down on, but I think the skill set is there, the attitude is there, the want to is there for Will Levis to be a franchise quarterback.”

Todd McShay on Will Levis

ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay is frustrated by Levis. On the one hand, he has the skills. On the other, Levis didn’t play well this season.

“The turnovers were maddening. Some of the mistakes and his eyes dropping, frustrating. But there are two things that you’ve got to know about him. One, when he goes out to the Peyton Manning camp, who’s the most talented quarterback there? Will Levis. And then when you talk to every single person on campus at Kentucky, I’m talking like the lunch lady and gentleman, every single person swears by this guy,” McShay said.

“His leadership, his character, what he’s going to bring to an organization, the way he loves ball. It’s hard not to bet on Levis despite the fact the tape wasn’t great.”