For months, the rumors have been that Will Levis‘ floor in the 2023 NFL Draft was the fourth overall pick to the Indianapolis Colts. However, when it comes to draft rumors, if it’s too well known, there’s a decent chance it’s simply smoke. And based on his latest mock draft, Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan tends to believe Levis isn’t a lock to Indianapolis.
Will Levis Tumbles Outside of Top 10
Caplan has Levis falling outside the top 10 and landing into the lap of the Houston Texans‘ second first-round pick at 12. From betting lines or other murmurs from around the league earlier in the week, Levis was connected to the Texans at No. 2 overall. That news caught many by surprise because once upon a time, C.J. Stroud, who most consider a “safer” prospect, was the favorite for that pick.
Nevertheless, Houston still has an interest in the Kentucky quarterback.
“I generally ignore internet rumors, but when they’re from people who work for NFL teams, that gets my attention,” Caplan writes. “..While Texans GM Nick Caserio keeps a strong lid on his intentions, some high-ranking personnel executives say they keep hearing how much this team likes Levis.”
The Texans coming out of the first round with a combination of Tyree Wilson or Will Anderson Jr. and Levis makes a ton of sense. First-year head coach DeMeco Ryans gets his cornerstone defender and his signal-caller of the future. Levis being the third quarterback off the board aligns with most people’s evaluations behind Bryce Young and Stroud.
Colts Grab C.J. Stroud Fourth Overall
The Colts still get their quarterback in Stroud in Caplan’s mock draft. The Ohio State product seems to be a fit and a good mixture of what new head coach Shane Steichen has worked with in the past.
Is Levis still a possibility for Indianapolis at four? Of course, but there isn’t a strong sense it is a lock as it has appeared to be.
“While there’s some steam for Levis here from some personnel sources I spoke to this week, Stroud is the safest of the two, and it’s hard to find a legit knock on him, from talking to various coaches and executives,” writes Caplan.
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There is always gamesmanship when it comes to the NFL Draft. Have the Colts created this idea that they love Levis to pressure the Texans to pick him up at No. 2?
It makes sense as the two division rivals both desperately need a quarterback, and Indianapolis doesn’t have an avenue to leapfrog Houston. All these questions will be answered on Thursday.