Mel Kiper Jr. reaffirms Will Levis as the top QB in the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is loaded with talent, specifically at the quarterback position. Several prospects make the case as the first QB teams should take, if not the first player overall. However, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. still maintains that, for him, Kentucky quarterback Will Levis will be the first QB off the board on April 27th.

Kiper shared his thoughts on the latest episode of ‘First Draft’ with Todd McShay and Field Yates. While some are down on Levis after his senior season, Kiper says there are reasonable explanations for his underwhelming year. Injuries top that list as well as the talent surrounding him over the course of this year.

“Will Levis was banged up all year at Kentucky. Just about all year with a foot, ankle, shoulder. All those issues,” said Kiper. “(Plus) an offensive line that was horrific, a running back that wasn’t there the first four games, and a receiving corps that lost Wan’Dale Robinson to the NFL.”

Levis flew up these projections after his 2021 campaign at Kentucky, his first in Lexington after transferring from Penn State. He threw for just over 2,800 yards and 24 touchdowns while also showing some mobility with 376 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.

While he was still top-notch in 2022, the product on the field wasn’t as successful. As Kiper pointed out, nagging injuries combined with all new personnel both on the offense and the coaching staff played a major role in limiting him along with the Wildcat’s success. Still, he was able to throw for just over 2,400 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.

When it comes down to it, Kiper says he is riding with Levis as a classic model for a quarterback prospect. He says there’s still a lot to consider, especially when it comes to Alabama’s Bryce Young, but that, in the end, he’s still leaning toward Levis as the first quarterback taken in 2023.

“I think this is what’s gonna happen. The old guard, which I’m part of, is (gonna lean) Will Levis. I’ve said that from back in September. I’m (with) Will Levis,” Kiper said. “The analytics, the young guys, and all that are gonna be on Bryce Young. So I’m just gonna wait. I’m waiting this out. There’s no rush to judgment here from me.”

NFL front offices are going to talk circles around this question until the clock officially starts this spring. Until they make those evaluations, though, Kiper believes Levis will be the board’s QB1 heading into Kansas City.