2023 NFL Mock Draft: C.J. Stroud back on top, Cowboys with a surprise pick
By Randy Gurzi
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Kentucky. 87. QB. Will Levis. 8. player
8. Carolina Panthers: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Will Levis could end up being a decent starter, but he screams Blaine Gabbert to me. He has the height, the arm, and simply looks the part. The issue is, he struggles with pressure and his pocket awareness hasn’t been great. He would be an excellent pick on day two as a developmental prospect but since quarterbacks are always over-drafted, he lands with the Panthers at No. 8.
Carolina went through several quarterbacks this season including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and P.J. Walker. They need some consistency and will hope Levis can bring that. Unfortunately, this doesn’t feel like a situation where he’s going to have time to refine his game before being thrown into the fire.
EDGE. Texas Tech. player. 28. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Tyree Wilson. 9
9. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Las Vegas Raiders are having quite the finish to their 2022 campaign. Derek Carr has been benched for Jarret Stidham and left the team so he wouldn’t be a distraction. That doesn’t sound like the way to handle being demoted, but who can blame a guy for not wanting to show up to work when Josh McDaniels is your boss?
Stidham won’t be the guy either, and since McDaniels is the guy who drafted Tim Tebow it’s not likely that he’s going to figure things out under center.
The good news is they can land a talented and versatile playmaker at No. 9, which is what happens here. Tyree Wilson is huge at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds and uses that size to bully offensive linemen.
Wilson should be a success as a pro but the only question is where he needs to play. He might be best served to move inside as a 3-tech, but can still play on the edge on early downs.