New England Patriots reportedly hosted Will Levis on Wednesday

The New England Patriots have the 14th overall pick in next week’s NFL Draft. Could Will Levis be the choice? If he falls that far, it feels like a real possibility that the former Wildcat could pair up with legendary head coach Bill Belichick.

According to the NFL Network’s national insider Ian Rapoport, the Patriots hosted Levis for a Top 30 visit on Wednesday, which was the final day those visits were allowed. Levis, who spent the last two seasons as Kentucky’s starting quarterback, is being projected as high as No. 2 overall in the draft and as low as outside of the first round.

Levis has met with several NFL teams throughout the pre-draft process, including the likes of the Carolina Panthers (No. 1), Indianapolis Colts (No. 4 pick), Atlanta Falcons (No. 8), Tennessee Titans (No. 11), and Tampa Bay Buccanneers (No. 19) over the several few weeks.

An interesting Top 30 visit on the final day teams were allowed: The #Patriots hosted #Kentucky QB Will Levis yesterday, source says, part of their due diligence to prepare for any scenario a week from now. New England picks 14th.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2023

The move was apparently a surprise to NFL folks, with Rapoport calling it “interesting”.

From NFL Now: What to make of the #Patriots hosting QB prospect Will Levis? pic.twitter.com/SKmbBPdipi

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2023

If Levis were to land with the Pats, it would create an awkward QB situation with plenty of UK connections.

The Patriots quarterback for the last two seasons, Mac Jones, was previously a Kentucky commit before flipping to Alabama where he would lead the Crimson Tide to a 2021 national championship victory over Ohio State. Jones was later selected with the 15th pick in the NFL Draft that same year by New England and has been the franchise’s starting quarterback — Tom Brady’s replacement — ever since. Jones has an overall record of 16-15 with the Patriots with just one postseason appearance in 2021.

Also on Thursday morning, ESPN released its projected landing spots for all of the top quarterback options in the upcoming draft. In it, draft experts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller have Levis landing in Tampa Bay with the 10th overall pick to replace the retired Tom Brady. The Buccaneers currently have Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask on the roster as quarterbacks, so an upgrade at that position is certainly on the table for the Florida-based franchise.

The 2023 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27. Where Levis ultimately gets drafted will be a hot topic in the opening round.