When the Tennessee Titans selected Will Levis with the 33rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, it was a questionable move. The Titans had veteran Ryan Tannehill, and they took Malik Willis from Liberty the year before in the third round. But, considering the former aging and the latter underwhelming when he got onto the field, the front office felt the need to bring another signal-caller into the fold.
Many didn’t expect Levis to fall into the second round. In fact, many connected him to go as high as fourth overall to the Indianapolis Colts. But, off-field concerns and his cockiness were turn-offs to many teams. Another potential reason for his fall was a toe injury that forced him to miss two games in his last season. Though Levis said the toe was healed and was good to go, many did not believe that was the case.
"Will Levis loves Will Levis… You can't have franchise quarterbacks doing that."
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 28, 2023
— @ColinCowherd on why he believes the Kentucky QB fell out of the first round pic.twitter.com/elFIagQeWP
Regardless, 32 teams passed on him in the first round. When Tennessee saw him unexpectedly fall, they traded up eight spots to nab the signal-caller before he fell any farther.
Optimistic Rookie Season
Levis did not appear in the team’s first six games of the season. But, with Tannehill going 2-4 as the starter and suffering an ankle sprain in week six, it was Levis’s time.
The rookie made his first start in week seven and was outstanding. The 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons saw him throw for 238 yards and four touchdowns. Now, that’s a debut.
Relieve Will Levis’ EPIC 4 touchdown debut. pic.twitter.com/J0fl1jDVx9
— cam (@DrakeMayeFC) February 8, 2024
Things would slow down after that game, failing to throw for a score during the next two weeks. He bounced back in week 10, throwing for two touchdowns. But, 158 yards was not enough to snap the team’s three-game losing streak.
Levis would play five more games, including a Monday night win over the Miami Dolphins that saw him throw for 327 yards and a score. He would finish the season with 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. Levis also was sacked 28 times.
Considering he was a guy who fell to the second round, Titans fans can be optimistic he is, truly, the quarterback of the future.
They Have Faith In Him
It’s clear the Titans believe in their 2023 second-rounder. The front office upgraded his receiving core, adding Calvin RIdley and Tyler Boyd this offseason. No disrespect, but compared to what Levis had to work with outside of DeAndre Hopkins (Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Chris Moore), this is a major plus.
Despite losing Derrick Henry in free agency, the team added Tony Pollard to be his replacement. Add in the team still has 2022 first-round WR Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, and this may be the year Will Levis makes 31 teams regret passing on him. He has great touch on deep balls, mobile enough to escape and make plays with his legs, and is ready to show out.
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