Patriots Host QB Will Levis as Part of Their Top 30 Visits

[Hammer of Thor]

Something to keep in mind with these 30 visits, is they're not really an indicator of what the team is prioritizing in a vacuum. For 99% of the guys they could be drafting, they can get all the information they need from watching college tape, combine results, combine interviews, or giving their coaches a call in some cases. What these visits are good for or checking on guys that may have questions outside of the normal evaluations:

- Giving physicals for guys with recent injuries
- Asking questions about recent character concerns
- Drilling them on scheme if they're from a program that runs a very different one than you have
- Finding out if a guy with a questionable reputation for work ethic is actually dedicated.

In Levis' case, I think it's a few things: They want to do diligence on QBs, because it's the single most important position on the field. They know that Young and Stroud aren't falling to them, and likely think Richardson is gone by then too, so they bring Levis in as the only potential top guy who could drop. From what I've read, kid has the raw physical tools to succeed, so what you need to find out is if he has the IT factor, that drive to keep working on his craft and shore up the areas where he's weak. Basically, is he the next Josh Allen, or the next Zack Wilson?

If he's the next Josh Allen (in their minds), I think they'd be willing to take him, regardless of how they feel about Mac on his own. I doubt they'll be able to learn enough to be THAT sure of it, but that's what this is about: If we feel this is the next top-5 guy in the league, can we pass on him at 14? Let's bring him in and find out if he's actually that guy and go from there.

For the record, I think he's more likely to be Wilson than Allen. But it's worth one of their visits, because there aren't 30 guys in the draft that they NEED to have visit Foxboro in order to learn everything they need to about him.

This makes a lot of sense in general. One story I liked involved Nate Solder in 2011. He had a top 30 visit scheduled with them. Last minute, Patriots call up and say they’re canceling. He never saw the Pats at the stadium until after they drafted him. Scar wound up seeing him elsewhere.

Clearly the Pats liked him since they picked him. They basically canceled the top 30 because they decided they had enough information they needed and decided to bring someone else in instead for whom they still needed more info.

 

[Ian]

I will say that for those hoping for Levis, I would say be careful what you wish for. He may have a gun for an arm but having seen a fair amount of his games last season, especially against SEC teams (which aired a lot last season down here), he's certainly flawed. He puts the ball in harm's way a fair amount and is late getting the ball out in tight coverage on a "gotta have it" type of play. And there were a fair amount of his turnovers where it was just an awful decision.

His accuracy also isn't great. A lot of times the ball gets there, but the receiver has to adjust (it's either high, behind them, a little too far out in front) and as a result, isn't able to get a lot of yards after the catch.

While Mac may not have the best arm, his accuracy and the ability for guys to get yards after the catch has clearly been one of his strengths. He also doesn't throw it right to the other team, with most of his picks last year (and even his rookie year) being balls that were slightly underthrown or one where a guy made a great play.

As I said in another thread, I think Mac's worst throw decision-wise came in the preseason game against Las Vegas where he missed the linebacker hiding behind the line and threw it right to him. But he's at least more careful with the football than Levis. Those who want to argue otherwise, especially in the first few games of last year, have to remember most of those turnovers came on 50/50 balls to Parker, not balls that were stupid decisions and thrown right to the defensive back.

All I'm saying is for those who may want Mac gone, I don't feel like Levis would be the best option. At least not having seen him play here. I won't pretend to have a better option because I usually only watch film on guys once their names start coming up in April for the Patriots. But I did see a few of his games last year and watched several abbreviated versions last night against SEC teams, which tend to be a good benchmark compared to NFL competition. I just feel like he's basically a lateral move from Jones with upsides in other areas but drawbacks that would probably make him and Jones a push. And given how much Belichick hates turnovers, I just don't see him being much of an improvement. I'd rather see Zappe in there than Levis, honestly. Especially considering who else they'd be able to add with that selection.

LOL, this might be the post that people look back on years from now and needle me for it if it works out, but I'm just not a fan. At least not based on what I've seen from him against better competition.

 

[Patriot Missile]

The interest is the knowledge they gain may or may not help them down the road

It's like some of you have never seen this before

It's like a few of you have an agenda with every post you

What tf do you gather from my post that describes an agenda? Read before you post because obviously you are misinterpreting something there.

 

[Pape]

At this point I think Belichick is just doing things to troll the media

I'm fine with that

 

[PatsfanTN]

it's almost like some of you haven't been paying attention to what this organization under BB has done for the last 20 years

Maybe, but I also think Brady covered a lot up. That is becoming apparent.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

But to only be able to visit 30 prospects choosing him and Richardson is intriguing.
That means there is something else they wanted to see that they couldn’t see on film.
If it was just to update the competitive Rolodex to me that was a waste of a visit.
I’d rather make sure to hit on my targets and vet them thoroughly as opposed to learning how Levis and Richardson do on a chalkboard because with one or two training camps that will drastically improve.

Or they're playing mind games to get players they want to drop a couple more spots.

They canceled Nate Solder's 2011 visit to keep their interest off other teams' radars.

 

[yukon cornelius]

What tf do you gather from my post that describes an agenda? Read before you post because obviously you are misinterpreting something there.

Don't think I was referring to your post specifically, I had another in mind

 

[yukon cornelius]

They’ve kicked the tires on a multitude of prospects over the years. Hard to say without being a fly on the wall what their interest is.

Yes I was agreeing with this, and the agenda part was in reference to a different posted, who only knows one trick

 

[ctpatsfan77]

This makes a lot of sense in general. One story I liked involved Nate Solder in 2011. He had a top 30 visit scheduled with them. Last minute, Patriots call up and say they’re canceling. He never saw the Pats at the stadium until after they drafted him. Scar wound up seeing him elsewhere.

Clearly the Pats liked him since they picked him. They basically canceled the top 30 because they decided they had enough information they needed and decided to bring someone else in instead for whom they still needed more info.

As I've noted elsewhere, a critical point of these facility visits is that they are disclosed on the transaction wire to all teams. So by cancelling the visit, they didn't have to reveal their interest in Solder.

And although it ended badly because of injuries and whatever TF went on the end of last year, they had no contact at all before the draft with Jake Bailey.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Likely just due diligence, albeit interesting nonetheless:

Now just imagine Levis in a Patriots uniform?



Let's be honest, how excited would you feel to welcome a new top QB to the Patriots?

I feel there would be quite a lot of excitement from the general fan base.

Kraft could sell more tickets, BB would get "his guy", and at least a couple of more years to develop the new QB.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Have we ever drafted anyone who had a 30 visit with us?

N'Keal Harry. He was interviewed by BB & crew and gave really great interview (we know how important that is to BB ).

But yes, I have to agree in principal that predicting who the Patriots will draft based on pre-draft visits does not work very well, but it has led to some "exciting" discussions on this board. I sure hope that the Patriots address their needs (protecting Mac and giving him some weapons) instead of drafting a QB or RB.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

That trade should get BB fired immediately.

If BB was not fired for overruling the scouts and drafting N'Keal Harry, then nothing will.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Now just imagine Levis in a Patriots uniform?

View attachment 50955

Let's be honest, how excited would you feel to welcome a new top QB to the Patriots?

I feel there would be quite a lot of excitement from the general fan base.

Kraft could sell more tickets, BB would get "his guy", and at least a couple of more years to develop the new QB.

Sure there would be a lot of fan interest, at least for the first few games, but once the Patriots started losing, which they surely would by ignoring their needs and getting yet-another-QB, then the fans would turn on the team.

Drafting a new QB would signal the decline of a once-great coach/GM and ultimately the franchise.

 

[DarrylS]

Perhaps his visit was to add fuel to the fire BB already started under Mac Jones butt..

 

[Ivan]

Seems like a lot for a Guy who ain't going First overall unless someone special falls to us I would rather not poke that bear. Also Trey Lance might be available what's your thoughts on him?? Swap Mac 10 who the 49ers like and a Second for Trey Lance Hmmmm.

Why would they swap Jones and a 2nd round pick for a guy who has shown absolutely nothing to this point. That’s idiotic. Lance is like Zach Wilson, wait until they cut him and then give him a workout.

 

[Ivan]

Zero chance of a QB drafted in the 1st 3 rounds. This is more likely smoke for draft posturing for trading picks.

That may be true, but given what 2nd contracts are now for even ****ty QB’s I would draft one in the first 3 rounds every year from now until they find a Mahomes, Burrows, or Allen. And unless Mac Jones turns into Brady I’m sure as hell not giving him 40 million a year.

 

[TomPatriot]

Maybe, but I also think Brady covered a lot up. That is becoming apparent.

The biggest single contribution Brady made that we haven’t seen since are those late, game-winning or game-tying drives. It feels like there were hundreds of them over the course of his career.

 

[Ivan]

Seems like a lot for a Guy who ain't going First overall unless someone special falls to us I would rather not poke that bear. Also Trey Lance might be available what's your thoughts on him?? Swap Mac 10 who the 49ers like and a Second for Trey Lance Hmmmm.

My apology, I missed the genius in this post. I now want to make this deal, minus the 2nd round pick. Trade Jones for Lance, and then take Caleb Williams, QB USC, with the 1st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

 

[patfanken]

I think the reason for the visit was just part of the pre-draft lying and positioning that goes on in ALL drafts. I believe the Pats are HOPING that Levis starts to drop for all the obvious reasons that have been noted. He's an unfinished athlete who plays QB but is not one....yet. By having him visit, some team below them might perceive (if they are idiots) that the Pats MIGHT pick him and if he falls to 14, might want to give the Pats a good enough package to 'change their minds'.

I know, its a bit out there, but its possible . The REAL reason is more likely that they view Levis as physically very talented and someone who is raw enough that 4 or 5 years down the road they might have a shot at, so it doesn't hurt to know the guy a bit more personally in the draft process.

Over the years most NFL teams, including the Pats, have tried to HIDE who they are interested in, not try and bring attention to it.

 

[Ollie]

Maybe, but I also think Brady covered a lot up. That is becoming apparent.

Brady this year showed that you still need good coaching. If you look at any great coach's record when they lose a Hall of Fame QB it usually will be worse. That stands to reason.