Kentucky's Will Levis went undrafted in surprise first-round snub

The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is now complete, and unfortunately, Will Levis is still without an employer as the lights go out on the first night in Kansas City. The worst situation that could happen happened as Levis dropped to the second round in a surprise fall down the board during the first 32 selections. Before the draft, ESPN gave the former Kentucky Wildcat a 92 percent chance to be a top-10 pick.

According to ESPN Analytics, there was a 92% chance that Will Levis was going to be picked in the top 10. pic.twitter.com/DGUE6xG6EG

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2023

Despite the mock drafts, percentage chances, and Reddit rumors, the league GMs graded Levis differently, specifically places like Indianapolis and Tennessee, both in need of quarterbacks and both going in other directions when on the clock. After Bryce Young and CJ Stroud went first and second, the Colts took Anthony Richardson of Florida at fourth, and then the Titans passed on Levis as the franchise QB at No. 11, going O-line with the first-round pick instead.

Once the Titans passed on him, it was clear Levis was in for a long night and ESPN didn’t do him any favors with the green room shots.

Ian Rapport even called the fall as soon as the Colts chose Richardson at No. 4.

From our NFL Draft coverage: The #Colts selecting Anthony Richardson could mean a long night for Will Levis. pic.twitter.com/nXn8VfrsDF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2023

Chris Mortensen pointed to Levis’s injured toe as a roadblock for at least two teams in need of a quarterback:

Will Levis’ left toe that caused him to miss two games last year was “problematic “ for one team that considered him.
Levis says the “toe has healed” and good to go.
Another team believes Levis could manage it but thought surgery would need discussion after season.
Levis…

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 28, 2023

As a Kentucky fan site, KSR headquarters feels terrible for Will on what was to be a special night with friends and family in Kansas City. Now the after party is postponed, if not canceled.

I guess we’ll do it all again tomorrow with three sets of boots on the ground to cover Will’s big moment on the second night of the draft.

Every 2023 NFL Draft First-Round Selection

1. Carolina Panthers (via trade)
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

3. Houston Texans (via trade)
Will Anderson Jr., edge, Alabama

4. Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

5. Seattle Seahawks (via trade)
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

6. Arizona Cardinals (via trade)
Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

7. Las Vegas Raiders
Tyree Wilson, edge, Texas Tech

8. Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

9. Philadelphia Eagles (via trade)
Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

10. Chicago Bears (via trade)
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

11. Tennessee Titans
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

12. Detroit Lions (via trade)
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

13. Green Bay Packers (via trade)
Lukas Van Ness, edge, Iowa

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (via trade)
Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

15. New York Jets (via trade)
Will McDonald IV, edge, Iowa State

16. Washington Commanders
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

17. New England Patriots (via trade)
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

18. Detroit Lions
Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt

20. Seattle Seahawks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

21. Los Angeles Chargers
Quentin Johnston, WR, Texas Christian

22. Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

23. Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison, WR, Southern California

24. New York Giants (via trade)
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

25. Buffalo Bills (via trade)
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

26. Dallas Cowboys
Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade)
Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

28. Cincinnati Bengals
Myles Murphy, edge, Clemson

29. New Orleans Saints (via trade)
Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

30. Philadelphia Eagles
Nolan Smith, edge, Georgia

31. Kansas City Chiefs
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, edge, Kansas State