Latest ESPN mock draft has Bucs trading up for Tom Brady's successor

After acquiring New England's 14th pick, the analyst predicts the Buccaneers will draft Will Levis, a 6-foot-4, 229-pound raw prospect from Kentucky. 

In this scenario, Tampa Bay trades the 19th overall selection, its third-round pick (No. 82) and a fifth-rounder (No. 153) to move up.

"Levis has some stuff to work on — namely his footwork and turnover avoidance — but he has the physical traits to be a franchise quarterback. He comes from a pro-style offense, has a massive arm and can tuck and run with physicality," McShay writes. 

Last season, Levis completed 65.4% of his passes, throwing for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns, down from the season before, but he sustained various injuries throughout the year. Although he had just two rushing touchdowns in 2022, his nine scores in 2021 indicate that he can make plays with his legs when healthy.  

McShay further analyzed Levis' game during the latest "First Draft" podcast episode, arguing he has the "best arm" compared to fellow prospects Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and Alabama's Bryce Young. 

However, McShay also feels Levis demonstrated similar inconsistencies at his Pro Day as in school, particularly regarding ball placement.

Considering the quarterback situation in Tampa Bay, trading up for Levis would make sense, even if it's risky. Its current options, Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, are far from ideal and unlikely to provide a long-term solution. 

Mayfield, who signed with Tampa Bay last month, is now on his fourth team since being the No. 1 overall selection in 2018. In 12 games with the Panthers and Rams last season, Mayfield threw for 2,163 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. While he can still string together decent performances, he's no more than a bridge quarterback. 

The unproven Trask, a 2021 second-round pick, didn't enter the NFL with much hype and has only attempted nine career passes in a mop-up role. It's tough to envision him becoming a star in the league this season, especially if Mayfield beats him out for the starting job. 

Some, including McShay's colleague Mel Kiper Jr., are high on Levis, but NFL analyst Chad Forbes suggests a draft day slide could unfold. Forbes reported last week that Levis "is bombing" his pre-draft interviews, and teams are not keen on his personality, which may cause him to fall out of the first round. 

Nevertheless, given the value of the quarterback position, one team drafting in the top half of the first round will likely be willing to gamble on the Kentucky product.

Fans and Levis must wait until April 27, when the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off, to hear his name called. In the meantime, check out his draft analysis here, written by Yardbarker's Drae Harris, an ex-NFL scout.