Hendon Hooker destroys Will Levis in key metric
Former Tennessee Vols QB Hendon Hooker is significantly better than former Kentucky Wildcats QB Will Levis in a key metric
Former Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis is expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but some advanced metrics suggest that Levis going top 10 might be a mistake.
Levis has undeniable physical abilities. The ball comes out of his hand like a rocket. And he has prototypical size for an NFL quarterback.
The decision-making from Levis, however, is a problem at times.
When Levis makes the right decision, he looks elite. But when he makes the wrong decision, it usually results in a turnover.
Levis is particularly bad outside of the pocket.
ESPN recently compared the top nine quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft using various metrics.
When it comes to quarterback rating outside of the pocket, Levis is at the bottom of the list with a 20.7 QBR rating. Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker, meanwhile, thrived outside of the pocket, earning an 88.4 QBR rating in 2023 (the 2022 FBS average was 60.5).
Levis was better inside the pocket with a 75.6 QBR rating. Hooker, however, was still better as he had an 88.3 QBR inside the pocket.
From ESPN: Levis really struggled outside the pocket. His QBR there wasn't just last among these QBs; it was 118th out of 123 qualifying FBS quarterbacks. He completed 38% of his passes outside the pocket last season and averaged 5.5 yards per attempt. Questions about his 2022 campaign aside, including Levis' 2021 numbers, don't help his cause. Over the past two seasons, he's still completing fewer than half of his passes outside the pocket (49%) and averaging only 5.4 yards per attempt, with 5 touchdown passes, 3 interceptions and 3 sacks. Levis has shown mobility in his career, so why does he fare so poorly here?
The teams that have success in the NFL are the teams with elite quarterbacks that can make plays when things go south. Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts are all tremendous at making plays outside the pocket.
Levis simply hasn't demonstrated that ability. And if he didn't do it at Kentucky, then why should NFL teams expect him to do it as a pro?
I have a feeling that an NFL team is going to regret taking Levis in the top 10 — especially if Hooker goes in the second round and ends up thriving in the NFL.
