Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Raiders Draft a Quarterback
The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:
- Every pick in the Mock Draft gets its own post. We will do one or two picks per day.
- We will link back to previous posts with a running draft recap.
- This feature will not include trades and will cover the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Raiders are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …
The Pick Is In
QB Will Levis — Kentucky
The Fit
Jimmy Garoppolo will be the starting quarterback for the Raiders in 2023. But the 32-year-old quarterback is probably never going to be better than he was at his peak in San Francisco, which was never good enough to win a Super Bowl.
If Levis falls to No. 7, Vegas could add their QB of the future to the roster behind Garoppolo. Cutting Garoppolo after the 2023 season wouldn’t be the ideal move, financially, for the Raiders. However, they could trade him and have no dead money retained after the 2023 season. Some teams will need a veteran QB who can bridge them to the next step next off-season, so that’s very possible.
Scouting Report
Will Levis is an odd case. Some scouting folks are so in love with the boxes that he does check that they’ve had him ranked ahead of all of the QBs in the 2023 draft. Some have him ranked outside of the top five quarterbacks.
One thing is undeniable, Levis can sling it with the best of them. His flamethrower arm has been highlighted throughout the pre-draft process.
Levis has proven that he has one of the strongest arms in the draft (I think Anthony Richardson’s is stronger), but there are plenty of concerns for Levis. His feet could be more consistent, his ball placement could be better, and his short-arm release is a concern.
Levis was dealing with turn toe in 2022, but his final season at Kentucky was underwhelming. He threw for 2,416 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. But even in 2021, his best season at Kentucky, he threw 13 interceptions, and he’s never had a passer rating north of 100.
Final Thoughts: Like Anthony Richardson, Levis is a big-time boom or bust prospect. However, unlike Richardson, I think Levis leans toward the bust end of the spectrum. I hope he proves me wrong and has a successful career, but I’m not bullish on Levis. Still, the Raiders have a need, and taking swings (and misses) is a part of the game.
Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft
- Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
- Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
- Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
- Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
- Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
- Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
- Atlanta Falcons
- Chicago Bears (via CAR)
- Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)
- Tennessee Titans
- Houston Texans (via CLE)
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Green Bay Packers
- Washington Commanders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Detroit Lions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Minnesota Vikings
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Giants
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
- Cincinnati Bengals
- New Orleans Saints (via SF)
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Kansas City Chiefs
