Latest 2-Round ESPN Mock Draft Has Texans Taking Kentucky QB Will Levis

In ESPN's latest two-round Mock Draft, the Houston Texans are slotted to take an unexpected player at No. 2.

Bryce Young vs. C.J. Stroud has, for the most part, been the central debate for who the Houston Texans should select in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft in April. 

But on Monday, ESPN proposed an alternate scenario in their latest two-round mock draft, in which the Colts move up past the Texans for the No. 1 pick via a trade with the Chicago Bears, stealing Alabama's Young away from Houston.

However, this mock also has the Texans passing on the quarterback many believe to be the clear No. 2 selection in Stroud and instead opting for Kentucky gunslinger, Will Levis. 

Says ESPN:

Every team that wants a quarterback in this draft should be thinking about jumping the Texans to secure its top-ranked passer, and it wouldn't be out of the question for Houston to move up a spot itself to block others. Although Levis is one of the most polarizing players in this class because of his interceptions (23 over the past two years), he has the best arm talent in the group, along with very good pocket mobility and toughness. He wasn't surrounded by elite talent at Kentucky and had a change at offensive coordinator that affected his development, but the Penn State transfer has to prove to teams in workouts and interviews that his decision-making can be reworked. On traits alone, Levis is a top-10 talent. It's on the Texans to see that talent developed.

Levis, who had an up-and-down 2022 campaign, has been widely compared to Buffalo Bills superstar, Josh Allen, due to his raw physical traits and propensity to take big risks.

Last season, he completed 185 of 283 passes for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 11 games. 

So what's next for the Texans after their surprise quarterback selection?

In this scenario, the Texans would then arm Levis with his own New No. 1 wideout, in USC speedster, Jordan Addison. 

Addison has been successful at every stop throughout his college career, winning the Biletnikoff Award at Pitt before transferring to USC. In his lone season as a Trojan, Addison grabbed 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns while lining up primarily in the slot, and he dropped just two passes all season. He doesn't have great size (6-foot, 170 pounds) but plays much more physically than you'd expect, and he'll likely be heavier for the combine and his pro playing career. Addison's quick cuts, strong hands and ability to sink his hips and accelerate out of breaks have him ready to immediately become Will Levis' new go-to target in Houston.

And in terms of No. 1 wideouts available in this class, Addison might be the most explosive, with the 2021 Belitnikoff winner catching 59 passes for 875 yards and eight scores, and averaging 14.8 yards per catch in 2022. 

During his award-winning season in Pittsburgh, Addison hauled in 100 catches for 1,594 yards and 17 touchdowns in tandem with now Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett.

Addison has also drawn comparisons to an NFL star, in longtime Chargers standout and potentially upcoming free agent, Keenan Allen.

However, the Texans wouldn't stop arming Levis with weapons there either, with ESPN predicting Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid to Houston with the 33rd pick. 

Kincaid finished the 2022 season as one of the best pass catchers in college football, bringing in 70 passes for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. 

And for a team who struggled mightily on the offense this past season, drafting three big-time talents on that side of the ball this April would certainly give the Texans an opportunity to fast track their rebuild. 

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