Will Levis could eventually become a star for the Tennessee Titans. The rookie quarterback, of course, could’ve been a member of the Indianapolis Colts instead.
The Colts entered the 2023 NFL Draft desperately needing a franchise quarterback. They were out of the running for the top two prospects in the draft: Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. The Carolina Panthers took young No. 1 while Stroud went to the Houston Texans with the second overall pick.
After the Texans selected Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3, Indianapolis had to decide which quarterback to take with the fourth overall pick: Kentucky’s Levis or Florida’s Anthony Richardson. The Colts chose Richardson. Meanwhile, Levis fell to the second round and was selected by the Titans 33rd overall.
Indianapolis Colts Could Regret Not Drafting Will Levis
Richardson’s Rookie Season Ended Quickly
Last season was nightmarish for the Colts, who finished with a 4-12-1 record. Bad performances from quarterbacks Matt Ryan, Nick Foles, and Sam Ehlinger certainly played a role in the team’s forgettable campaign.
Indianapolis drafted Richardson, hoping he’d emerge as the franchise’s best signal-caller since Andrew Luck retired in 2019. However, his rookie year is already over after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 5 against the Titans.
Richardson started four games this season, completing 50 of his 84 passes for 577 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 25 times, picking up 136 yards and four touchdowns.
Although he hasn’t played much so far, Richardson was exciting to watch when healthy. It looks like he could become the next Michael Vick/Lamar Jackson due to his amazing running ability. He is the first quarterback during the Super Bowl era to produce a rushing touchdown in each of his first three games. It would’ve been interesting to see what type of rookie season he could’ve had if injuries didn’t get in the way.
Levis is off to a Great Start
Seeing Levis slip to the second round of the draft was a bit surprising. A great deal of mock drafts projected him to be a top-10 pick.
Perhaps a toe injury, which sidelined him for two games last year, caused teams to be concerned. Whatever the case may be, a lot of teams may wind up wishing they would’ve drafted him.
Sitting on the bench for the first six games of this season, Levis started Week 8, filling in for injured starter Ryan Tannehill. Levis went on to have a historic debut, throwing for 238 yards and a ridiculous four touchdowns in the 28-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He joined Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton and former Titan Marcus Mariota as the only quarterbacks to ever throw four touchdown passes during their first game.
Levis came back down to earth in the Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He threw for 262 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception. While he didn’t have a larger-than-life four-TD performance, he still put together a solid game.
Possessing poise and command, Levis has looked like a future elite quarterback thus far. He could be better than Richardson when it’s all said and done. But then again, Richardson might have a better career. It’s way too early to tell if the Colts made a mistake by passing up Levis.
Main Photo Syndication: The Tennessean
