The rise and fall of the quarterback class has been one of the most intriguing parts of the 2023 NFL Draft news cycle. We have seen each of the top four quarterbacks rumored to go first at one point or another and fall outside the top five at other times. The latest spin of the NFL Draft rumor mill saw Will Levis in the spotlight heading into the event in Kansas City.
NFL Draft Rumors: Could Will Levis Go First Overall?
Just when it seemed like we had reached the point where Bryce Young was locked in as the first pick, Tuesday saw a shift in the narrative. However, that shift did occur because of some new and insightful report by one of the many NFL insiders we hear from regularly.
The first real indication that something was going on came from the Action Network’s Darren Rovell. At 9:21 p.m. ET, Rovell tweeted that Levis’ odds on PointsBet had dropped considerably overnight. “Will Levis moved from 50/1 to 20/1 to go #1 overall at @PointsBetUSA. Just moved again to 10/1.”
An hour later, those odds sat at +400, more than 10 times lower than they had been the day before. Those odds dropped to +300 at one point before beginning to bounce back up.
The cause of the drama appeared to be a post on Reddit by an anonymous user named SaleAgreeable2834, who posted, “Will Levis is currently +4000 to be the first overall pick. Well ladies and gentlemen, he’s telling friends and family Carolina will in fact be taking him on Thursday. You’re Welcome.”
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Meanwhile, NFL insiders have poured water on the speculation. Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline had heard nothing concrete on Levis going first overall, despite the Kentucky QB having the tools that Frank Reich looks for. Based on what Pauline is hearing, the Indianapolis Colts at fourth overall appear to be the more likely landing spot for Levis.
Peter Schrager told the Pat McAfee Show that he has “heard from a lot of people around the league, mostly from people outside of the Colts’ building, that they are hearing that there is a bunch of fans in that building” when discussing Levis. Schrager also stated he believes that Young will be the first overall pick by the Panthers.
Fellow FOX Insider Jay Glazer told the Dan LeBatard Show, “at one, it is Bryce Young, that is where they are going.” Despite all the momentum for Levis as the first pick today, Young remains a strong favorite, with odds varying from -900 on DraftKings to -1400 on FanDuel.
It is also worth noting that Levis remains the favorite on FanDuel to go second overall. Recent days have seen reports that the Colts could jump up to two in order to secure Levis and prevent another team from trading into the third pick to take him from them. That rise from Levis has coincided with a drop in odds for C.J. Stroud, who has been the centerpiece of the storm surrounding the S2 testing results this week.
Entering the NFL Draft in Kansas City, it is safe to say that a lot is unknown. It seems as though Young will be the first pick, but after that, no one seems to know for sure. It could be Levis, it could be Stroud, or we could see the Houston Texans go in another direction altogether with Will Anderson Jr. or Tyree Wilson. What we can say is that this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting we have seen in recent years.