NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Tennessee Titans traded to select quarterback Will Levis in the NFL draft two weeks ago. But it wasn’t where they expected it to be.
To their surprise, and most of the World Draft, Levis was available at the close of Day 1. When the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t take the Levies with the first pick of the second round, Tennessee made a ferocious move to shoot eight of their 41st pick.
Ran Karthon, Titans General Manager: “He was a highly ranked player on our board.” “It’s something of value. I’m glad we were able to apply for a player like Will.”
At 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, Levis’ size and large arm helped establish him as the #4 overall prospect on ESPN senior analyst Mel Kepper Jr.’s draft plate.
As for the Titans quarterback room, things get a little interesting. The room already consists of current starter Ryan Tannehill and 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis, who Tennessee also traded for its pick. Titans coach Mike Vrabel gave an overview of what the starting quarterback hierarchy will look like when entering the OTAs.
Ryan will be the starting quarterback [when the Titans started OTAs after the draft]Vrabel said: Malik will be the supporter. He will be the third midfielder, and what I said to them is that whatever happens after that is up to the players.”
QB1: Ryan Tannehill
Questions arose regarding Tannehill’s status with the team due to his high number and the arrival of first-year general manager Carthon.
Carthon said at the team’s initial press conference that he spoke with Tannehill back in February to tell him “exactly where he stands with the organization.”
“I appreciate that being pointed out,” Tannehill said. “But you’re not given anything in this league, and I’ve seen that over the course of 12 years here in the NFL. Things can change quickly.”
The Titans established a winning tradition with Tannehill leading the team to three straight AFC South League titles in four seasons. Things really looked like they were heading up for the Titans after their 2019 AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
That deep run was followed by back-to-back home losses in the divisional round of the playoffs in 2020 and 2021.
After being named the AFC’s top seed and having a first-round game, the Titans were one and finished in the playoffs after Tannehill threw three interceptions in a 2021 divisional loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. This seemed to get the ball rolling towards the receiver. Tennessee selected Willis in the draft a few months later.
However, Tannehill remained the starter in 2022 before an ankle injury kept him out for five games — including a pivotal stretch to close out the season as the Titans failed to reach the playoffs.
The Titans went 6-6 with Tannehill starting but was 1-4 in games not played. Tannehill finished last season with 2,536 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
With two years left on his contract, this season will likely be the last dance for the 35-year-old who has led the Titans to a 36-19 regular season record since taking over the starting position. Sixth week of the 2019 season.
QB2: Malik Willis
Willis was always a developmental player for the Titans. He was to watch and learn under Tannehill and eventually compete for the starting spot.
Meanwhile, Willis beat Logan Woodside for the reserve spot last season. Development was derailed when Willis was pressured into starting three games last season and finished with a 1-2 record.
Willis attempted 49 passes, 25 of which were completed for 234 yards and no touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions.
Tennessee signed veteran Joshua Dobbs and installed him as the starter over Willis for the remaining two games after being with the team for just over a week, including a season-ending showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars with the AFC South League title and playoff games on the line.
The result resulted in the Titans missing the playoffs for the second time under Vrabel—who took over at Tennessee in 2018. That Willis lost his spot to Dobbs is evidence that more development is needed.
“This is a process that will take some time,” former Titans quarterbacks coach turned passing game analyst Pat O’Hara said of Willis in January. “Sometimes you can’t take the elevator. You have to take the stairs.”
QB3: Will Levis
Even if he opens up as the #3 quarterback, a touchdown with the Titans is a perfect match for Levis.
Levis’ best season at Kentucky was in 2021 when he passed for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns. Then Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen’s offense had Levis 353 pass attempts to play of which he completed 139 passes (39.4%).
Under Vrabel, the Titans have a total of 2,361 pass attempts to play, which is the third highest during this stretch behind the Ravens (29.9%) and Rams (30.8%). Although some veterans have said the scheme is different under new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, expect to see the passing game continue.
That bodes well for Levis, whose 39.4% game play rate in 2021 ranks 39th out of 123 FBS players with at least 50 attempted games that season. The Titans believe his experience and success in college will carry over nicely into what he will be required to do at Tennessee.
“Their formations, their concepts, their safeguards, there’s a lot of staging, a lot of similarities to what I’ve been exposed to over the last couple of years,” said Levis.
The AFC South will feature three rookie quarterbacks with Levi’s and CJ Stroud (No. 2 overall) to the Houston Texans and Anthony Richardson (No. 4) to the Indianapolis Colts. Of the three, Levis, at 24, is the oldest (Stroud is 21 and Richardson is 20) and will likely have the longest wait to become the starter.
The Levi’s will get their first crack on Kelly’s offense when the Giants hold a junior rookie camp on Saturday.