Las Vegas Emerging as Potential Destination for Will Levis

A week away from the NFL Combine, a new team is emerging as a likely destination for former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, Las Vegas.

The order in which the quarterback prospects will be selected varies based on the source. NFL Draft analysts provide the widest range, with personal preference sometimes taking a front seat. The oddsmakers are much more conservative. DraftKings currently has Levis with the third-best odds to be the No. 1 pick, behind Bryce Young and CJ Stroud.

The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 spot, but are locked in with Justin Fields as their quarterback of the future. A trade is on the table for a team to rise up to take their quarterback and there are a few popular suitors. The most talked about spot for Levis in the pre-draft discussions is Indianapolis, where GM Chris Ballard prefers big quarterbacks with traits comparable to Levis. KSR’s Matt Jones is not the only one that has heard the Houston Texans are also fans of Levis.

Las Vegas entered into the conversation following their decision to move on from Derek Carr. Of the big three NFL Draft analysts, Daniel Jeremiah has now released consecutive mock drafts with Will Levis falling to the Raiders at No. 7 overall.

“The picture will be clearer after we get through the quarterback carousel in free agency, but as of now, the Raiders need someone at the position. Levis has incredible tools,” Jeremiah wrote Tuesday.

Free agency will certainly through a wrench into this equation. If Levis does end up in Las Vegas, there are pros and cons to joining the organization.

Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow will give Levis tools to be successful right away. On the other hand, Josh McDaniels has been a terrible play-caller when Tom Brady is not his quarterback. The Raiders offense was a complete disaster in his first season in Las Vegas. If picked by the Raiders, Levis may have new coach within a year. He would also be asked to start in a division alongside Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. It’s not exactly a formula for success.

Despite the obstacles to success in Las Vegas, there are worse places to live as a professional athlete. I don’t think No. 7 would mind falling to No. 7 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.