Everyone remembers the suit. It was navy blue, sharp, and looked increasingly uncomfortable as the cameras panned back to the green room for the twentieth time. If you’re asking when was Will Levis drafted, the short answer is April 28, 2023. But the calendar date doesn't even begin to cover the chaos of that weekend in Kansas City.
He didn't go when people thought he would. Not even close.
Draft experts like Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay had him pegged as a top-five lock for months. Some even whispered he could go first overall to the Carolina Panthers if Bryce Young didn't convince them. Instead, Levis sat there. He sat through the entire first round. He sat through the handshakes, the jerseys, and the "with the fifth pick" announcements until there were no more picks left on Thursday night.
It was awkward. It was painful to watch. It was pure NFL theater.
The Night the Draft Board Broke
When the 2023 NFL Draft kicked off on April 27, the atmosphere was electric. Will Levis was one of the "Big Four" quarterbacks alongside Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson. Most analysts assumed all four would be off the board before the double-digits hit.
Young went to Carolina. Stroud went to Houston. Then, the Indianapolis Colts took Anthony Richardson at four. That's when the slide started. The Seahawks passed. The Lions passed. The Raiders, who many thought needed a long-term solution, took Tyree Wilson. Suddenly, the mid-round teams with aging QBs or stop-gap veterans started lookin' elsewhere.
Why did he fall? Honestly, it depends on who you ask in the league. Some scouts pointed to the 23 interceptions he threw over his last two seasons at Kentucky. Others blamed the "toe injury" that supposedly scared off medical staves. There was even that weird Reddit rumor about him telling people he was going first overall, which turned out to be total nonsense, but it added to the frantic energy of the night.
By the time Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the 31st pick (the Kansas City Chiefs taking Felix Anudike-Uzomah), Levis was still in his seat. He left the green room and headed home. He didn't come back for day two.
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Second Round Resurrection: The Titans Move In
The question of when was Will Levis drafted finally found its answer early on Friday, April 28. The Tennessee Titans weren't originally scheduled to pick right at the top of the second round, but they saw the value staring them in the face.
They traded up with the Arizona Cardinals.
With the 33rd overall pick—the second pick of the second round—the Tennessee Titans officially selected Will Levis. It was a massive swing for a franchise that was clearly looking to move on from the Ryan Tannehill era. Ran Carthon, the Titans' GM, basically admitted that they didn't expect him to be there, but when a guy with a "cannon for an arm" drops into round two, you grab the phone.
Levis wasn't the first quarterback taken, but he ended up in a spot where he could actually compete. He wasn't forced to start Day 1, which, looking back, was probably a blessing given how much pressure was on him after the draft night slide.
The Kentucky Connection and the "Mayo" Factor
Before the NFL, Levis was a polarizing figure at the University of Kentucky. He had transferred from Penn State and immediately turned the Wildcats into a legitimate threat in the SEC. He had the build—6'4", 230 pounds—and he wasn't afraid to run over a linebacker.
But then there were the "quirks."
You've probably seen the videos of him putting mayonnaise in his coffee or eating bananas with the peel still on. It made for great social media content, but some old-school NFL types reportedly found it "distracting." It's funny how a guy's breakfast habits can become a talking point for multi-million dollar investments, but that’s the NFL for you.
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Comparing the 2023 QB Class
Looking back, the 2023 class was a wild ride. While Levis was the one who suffered the most on draft night, the production since then has been a mixed bag across the board.
- Bryce Young: Pick 1. Struggled behind a porous offensive line in Carolina.
- C.J. Stroud: Pick 2. Immediately became a superstar in Houston, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- Anthony Richardson: Pick 4. Showed flashes of being a human cheat code before injuries cut his rookie season short.
- Will Levis: Pick 33. Waited his turn, then threw four touchdowns in his debut against the Falcons.
It's a reminder that draft position isn't destiny. Tom Brady went 199th. Brock Purdy was "Mr. Irrelevant." Being the 33rd pick might have bruised Levis's ego, but it also gave him a chip on his shoulder that he’s been using as fuel ever since.
The Financial Impact of the Slide
Falling out of the first round isn't just about pride; it's about the bank account. First-round picks get a fifth-year option on their contracts. Second-rounders don't.
Because he was drafted 33rd instead of, say, 4th, Levis missed out on millions in guaranteed signing bonus money. We're talking about a difference of roughly $15-20 million over the life of the initial contract. That’s a lot of mayo.
Why the "Fall" Might Have Been a Win
In hindsight, the Titans were a great fit. They had a veteran in Tannehill to learn from and a superstar running back in Derrick Henry to take the pressure off. When Levis finally got his shot in Week 8 of the 2023 season, he looked prepared.
He didn't look like a guy who was "broken" by his draft experience. He looked like a guy who had been stewing in Kansas City for 24 hours and was ready to make everyone who passed on him regret it.
The Titans' offense changed the moment he stepped on the field. They went from a "three yards and a cloud of dust" team to a "let's see if we can hit DeAndre Hopkins 50 yards downfield" team. His arm strength is legitimate. It’s the kind of "easy velocity" that scouts drool over, even if his decision-making still has those "Kentucky moments" every now and then.
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Lessons from the 2023 Draft
If you're a prospect or a fan, there are a few things to take away from the Will Levis saga.
First, the "Draft Industrial Complex" is often wrong. The mock drafts you read in February are almost never what happens in April. Teams value medicals and "process" much more than the public realizes.
Second, the "Green Room" is a trap. Every year, the NFL invites players they think will go early, and every year, someone is left sitting there while the janitors start sweeping up. It's great for TV ratings, but it's brutal for the humans involved.
Third, it only takes one team. Levis didn't need 31 teams to like him. He just needed the Titans to decide he was worth a trade-up.
What’s Next for Levis?
Now that the question of when was Will Levis drafted is settled in the history books, the focus is on whether he can be the "Franchise Guy." The Titans have spent the last two years surrounding him with talent—bringing in Calvin Ridley and beefing up the offensive line.
The "second-year jump" is the most important metric for a young QB. We've seen him make the "wow" throws. Now we need to see if he can eliminate the "uh-oh" throws.
Actionable Takeaways for NFL Fans
If you're following the career of Will Levis or interested in how NFL drafts function, keep these points in mind for future seasons:
- Don't overreact to Day 1: A player "falling" usually says more about team needs and medical reports than it does about their actual talent.
- Watch the trades: The Titans moving up to 33 was a signal of high confidence. Always look at who moves to get a player, not just where the player was originally projected.
- Ignore the "Draft Persona": Whether it's eating bananas with peels or strange workout videos, focus on the tape. Levis's success in Tennessee has come from his vertical passing ability, not his social media presence.
- Track the 2023 class: Compare Levis's trajectory to Richardson and Stroud. The "Second Round QB" often has a longer leash if they show flashes early, as the financial investment is lower but the upside is identical.
The 2023 Draft was a turning point for the Titans and a reality check for Levis. While the "when" was later than expected, the "how" he responded has defined his early pro career. Keep an eye on the AFC South; with Stroud and Levis, it's quickly becoming the most interesting quarterback division in football.