Everyone remembers the cameras. They just wouldn't leave him alone. Will Levis sat there in the green room, adjusted his suit, took a sip of water, and waited for a phone call that didn't come. If you’re asking when did Will Levis get drafted, the short answer is April 28, 2023. But the calendar date doesn't really tell the whole story of why that weekend became one of the most talked-about moments in recent NFL Draft history.
It was a total rollercoaster.
The Kentucky quarterback went into the 2023 NFL Draft expected to be a top-five lock. Some "insiders" on Reddit and Twitter were even claiming he might go first overall to the Carolina Panthers. Instead, he slipped. He slipped past the Colts. He slipped past the Raiders. He slipped right out of the first round entirely. It was awkward to watch, honestly.
The Specifics: Round, Pick, and Date
Let’s get the hard data out of the way first for the sake of clarity. Will Levis was drafted with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
While the draft kicked off on Thursday, April 27, Levis had to wait until the following evening, Friday, April 28, to hear his name called. The Tennessee Titans were the team that finally stopped the bleeding. They didn't just wait for him to fall to them, either; they actually traded up with the Arizona Cardinals to secure him.
The trade cost Tennessee a 2023 second-round pick (No. 41), a 2023 third-round pick (No. 72), and a 2024 third-round pick. In exchange, they got Levis and a fourth-rounders (No. 81). It was a massive swing by Mike Vrabel and Ran Carthon.
Why the Slide Happened
Why did he fall? Scouts were divided. You had guys like Mel Kiper Jr. praising his "NFL frame" and his cannon of an arm. He played in a pro-style system under Liam Coen at Kentucky. He was built like a linebacker.
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But then there were the red flags.
His 2022 tape wasn't as clean as his 2021 highlights. He threw a lot of interceptions—10 in his final college season. He struggled with a toe injury that sapped some of his mobility. There were also those weird rumors about him being "too intense" or the viral videos of him putting mayo in his coffee and eating unpeeled bananas. NFL GMs can be a stuffy bunch. Sometimes, if a guy feels "different," they overthink it.
The 2023 quarterback class was also top-heavy. Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson all went in the top four. Once those three were off the board, teams like the Seahawks and Lions decided to bolster their rosters elsewhere rather than grab the "fourth" guy.
The Green Room Nightmare
Watching the first round on April 27 was brutal. Levis was one of only a handful of players invited to the draft in Kansas City who didn't get picked on Day 1. Every time a team with a QB need came up, the TV broadcast panned to Levis and his family.
He looked stoic, but you could tell he was frustrated. He actually left Kansas City the next morning. He didn't stay for the second night of the draft. He went home to be with his family, which, honestly, most people would do after that kind of public humbling.
When the Titans finally called him at pick 33, he wasn't on a stage wearing a jersey. He was in a house, surrounded by his inner circle, probably feeling a mix of massive relief and a burning desire to prove everyone wrong.
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The Titans’ Perspective
At the time, the Titans had Ryan Tannehill entering the final year of his deal and Malik Willis, a 2022 third-round pick who hadn't shown much yet. The organization was at a crossroads. They needed a succession plan.
Getting a first-round talent at the top of the second round is basically the "sweet spot" for NFL value. You get the guy you want without the massive price tag of a top-five pick. It also removed some of the immediate pressure. If Levis had gone No. 1, he would have been expected to save the franchise on Day 1. At No. 33, he could sit behind Tannehill—at least for a few weeks.
What Happened After He Was Drafted?
The "when" matters because of the "what happened next." Levis didn't start the 2023 season. He was actually the third-string quarterback for a while.
Then came Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Tannehill was out with an ankle injury. Levis stepped onto the field for his first NFL start and absolutely lit it up. He threw four touchdowns. Four. That's a feat only a couple of players in NFL history have ever achieved in their debut. He looked like the guy everyone thought he was back in January 2023.
His rookie season was a bit of a rollercoaster after that, mostly because the Titans' offensive line was, frankly, a sieve. He took a lot of hits. He dealt with a shoulder injury and a foot issue. But he showed enough grit that the Titans moved on from Mike Vrabel, hired Brian Callahan—an offensive-minded coach who helped develop Joe Burrow—and decided to build the entire 2024 and 2025 roster around Levis.
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Debunking the Myths
There’s a lot of revisionist history about when Will Levis got drafted.
- Myth: He fell because of the mayo video.
- Reality: He fell because of concerns about his decision-making under pressure and a late-season injury.
- Myth: No one wanted him.
- Reality: Several teams tried to trade into the back of the first round to get him, but the asking price was too high until Day 2.
The Financial Impact of the Slide
Falling from a projected top-five pick to the second round isn't just a blow to the ego. It’s a massive hit to the wallet.
The difference between the 4th pick (Anthony Richardson) and the 33rd pick (Will Levis) is tens of millions of dollars in guaranteed money. Richardson signed a deal worth roughly $34 million. Levis signed for about $9.5 million.
That’s a $24 million "sliding tax."
However, because he was a second-round pick, his contract didn't include a "fifth-year option." This is actually a weirdly good thing for a player if they play well. It means he can hit free agency—or negotiate a massive second contract—a year earlier than the guys drafted in the first round.
Actionable Takeaways for NFL Fans
If you're tracking the careers of young quarterbacks or just wanted to settle a bet about when the Titans got their guy, here is the essential context to keep in mind:
- Understand Draft Value: The 33rd pick is often considered a "pseudo-first-rounder." Teams view these players as elite talents who slipped due to specific team needs or minor character/injury questions.
- Contextualize College Stats: Levis played for two different offensive coordinators in two years at Kentucky. His "slide" was partly due to scouts not knowing which version of him was the "real" one.
- Watch the System: Now that you know when he was drafted, look at who he’s playing for. The Titans shifted from a run-heavy "Exotic Smashmouth" style under Vrabel to a modern, pass-heavy spread under Brian Callahan. This is the ultimate test for Levis.
- Follow the Trade: Remember that the Titans gave up a 2024 third-round pick to get him. That shows they weren't just "settling"; they were aggressive.
The 2023 draft was a turning point for the AFC South. With Stroud in Houston, Richardson in Indy, and Levis in Nashville, the division became a playground for young, high-ceiling quarterbacks. Whether or not Levis becomes the best of the bunch is still being decided on the turf, but the story of his draft night will be told for years as a cautionary tale of pre-draft hype versus reality.