A draft expert sees a new quarterback in the Packers’ future
Brian Gutekunst will earn his paycheck this offseason. The Green Bay Packers general manager has a few decisions to make with the offense. Gutekunst needs to decide the fate of David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins. He will also need to determine if the Packers will bring back Aaron Rodgers or if he needs to trade Jordan Love before his fifth-year option comes up for the 2024 season. One draft expert suggests the Packers will plan for a future without Rodgers or Love.
Kent Platte with Pro Football Network published their mock draft for 2023. Platte predicts the Packers will take Kentucky quarterback Will Levis with the 12th overall pick of the draft.
“Have we seen enough of Jordan Love to know he isn’t the guy? Probably not. But we haven’t seen enough of Jordan Love to know that he is the guy, and the Packers are facing a crucial crossroad coming into the 2023 season. Aaron Rodgers has seen his on-field ability nosedive in ways the organization isn’t used to, making quarterback a huge priority for the franchise’s long-term health.
Will Levis won’t be for everyone, but if you’ve got a little time and patience to bring him up to speed, you will have one of the most talented QBs in the class. Levis has solid size, a strong arm, and better athletic talents than you’d think just looking at him. He’s a bit wild in his decision-making, and his accuracy can waver under pressure. But when he’s on, you’ll have some serious “WOW” moments at QB.”
Levis could be a solid pick up
Levis started his college career at Penn State. He transferred to Kentucky to play for head coach Mark Stoops before the 2021 season. Levis has impressed scouts since playing for Kentucky. He’s thrown for over 5,000 yards in his two seasons at Kentucky.
One thing Levis needs to work on is his propensity for turning the ball over. The gunslinger has taken some risks, throwing 43 touchdowns to 23 interceptions at Kentucky. That ratio won’t please coaches in the NFL. If head coach Matt LaFleur can develop Levis while Rodgers finishes out his contract, it might not be a bad pickup. Levis won’t likely be a year-one starter. For this move to happen, Rodgers would need to stay with the Packers, and Gutekunst would need to trade Love in the offseason.
Here’s a link to Levis’ highlights from this season.