2023 NFL Draft projections anticipate a big night for Kentucky’s Will Levis

When the clock starts ticking on the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27 at 8 p.m. EDT, futures will hang in the balance — 10 minutes at a time.

Thirty-two first-round selections will be announced that Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo., and, after months or possibly years of research, each team will have only 600 seconds to make its choice.

Several of those teams are expected to be hunting for their quarterback of the future, and among those waiting for a call will be University of Kentucky senior Will Levis.

Will you be staying up until the wee hours to see the former Wildcat walk across the stage in Kansas City or will the rocket-armed Levis hold up his new team’s jersey before the sun goes down?

When it comes to NFL Draft research, no stone is left unturned. A website called nflmockdraftdatabase.com has scrutinized almost 1,200 mock drafts posted by NFL Draft analysts since last fall and arrived at the conclusion that Levis will be among the first 10 players selected this year.

Three other quarterbacks are projected in the composite listing to be chosen before Levis — Bryce Young of Alabama, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State and Anthony Richardson of Florida.

According to Spotrac.com, a site that tracks pro sports salaries, a top-10 selection would earn Levis a first NFL contract of at least $20 million over four years.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Who will draft the 6-foot-4, 229-pound Kentucky star and when?

Here is a selection of the most recent mock drafts, as of Wednesday:

▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper, the most famous of NFL Draft analysts, projects Carolina taking Bryce Young No. 1 and Houston going for Stroud at No. 2. He then foresees Tennessee trading up to acquire Richardson before Indianapolis drafts Levis at No. 4.

▪ Brendan Donahue of Sharp Football Analysis, who is touted as the most accurate mock drafter over the past five seasons by The Huddle Report, predicts the Indianapolis Colts will choose Levis with the No. 4 overall pick after Carolina takes Stroud, Houston drafts Young and Las Vegas trades up to select Richardson.

▪ Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune, whose mock drafts appear frequently in the Lexington Herald-Leader and who is also renowned for his historic accuracy, also does not see Levis slipping past Indianapolis at No. 4.

A few more:

▪ Ben Brown, Pro Football Focus: No. 4 (Colts).

▪ Charlie Campbell, Walter Football: No. 11 (Titans).

▪ Josh Edwards, CBS Sports: No. 4 (Colts).

▪ Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: No. 5 (Seahawks).

▪ Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated: No. 10 (Buccaneers).

▪ Forrest N. Long, The Huddle Report: No. 7 (Raiders).

▪ Ryan McCrystal, Draft Ace: No. 38 (Raiders).

▪ Ben Standig, The Athletic: No. 4 (Colts).

▪ Kyle Yates, Pro Football Network: No. 12 (Texans).

▪ Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: No. 7 (Texans).

2023 NFL Draft

At Kansas City, Mo.

Thursday, April 27: Round 1 (8 p.m.)

Friday, April 28: Rounds 2-3 (7 p.m.)

Saturday, April 29: Rounds 4-7 (Noon)

TV: NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes

This story was originally published April 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM.