Carolina Panthers should monitor Will Levis
While the previous two quarterbacks on this list offer starter potential very early on in their careers, others could also become prominent starters but will need more time to develop their skill sets and refine themselves.
The Carolina Panthers were a team that bet on traits with their selection of Cam Newton as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Auburn product was a raw player that required patience when it came to his development early on in his career before taking the league by storm to become the face of the franchise.
The same could potentially be said for Will Levis. A player not as supremely talented as Newton was, but talented nonetheless.
A three-star quarterback who originally committed to Penn State, Levis transferred to Kentucky to compete in the powerhouse that is the Southeastern Conference.
At 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, Levis offers the prototypical size and athletic profile NFL teams look for in today’s quarterback. In terms of football IQ and scheme versatility, the prospect fits the bill having played in a pro-style offense with a bevy of zone and west-coast concepts under former offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who now serves the same role with the Los Angeles Rams.
Levis might have the best arm in the draft. He can launch deep balls with ease with incredible velocity and can put the ball in any area of the field. The signal-caller was also impressive as a runner when called upon.
Despite Levis’ enticing traits and tools, he is as raw of a prospect as you are going to see. He is the definition of “betting on traits” at the position.
Regarding areas of improvement, Levis needs to progress his lower-half mechanics as they are wildly inconsistent on a game-to-game basis. He struggles to navigate the pocket and will stare down his targets, causing turnovers.
Levis also needs to improve his accuracy and inconsistent ball placement. There are plenty of times when he was throwing the ball at 100 mph, which shows a need to do a better job at controlling the tempo of his passes.
If the Panthers find themselves in a position to draft Levis, they should take that opportunity. However, patience will be needed in terms of development into a potential superstar.