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Kentucky football 2023 NFL Draft tracker

By Mat Mlodzinski

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: Will Levis during the NFL Draft Red Carpet at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 27: Will Levis during the NFL Draft Red Carpet at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images) /
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Follow along with our Kentucky football NFL Draft tracker and see where all of the Wildcats are picked in this year’s draft.

Will Levis – 33rd overall to Tennessee

Levis slid down from my original projection, which was 4th overall to Indianapolis. In fact, Levis may have slid down as much as any projected top-five pick in recent memory, completely escaping the 1st round.

He’s still going to a team that can use him as their starting quarterback. The Titans will probably still make Ryan Tannehill their guy on day 1 this season, but Levis can learn from the veteran and eventually be the next man up.

We’ve also discussed Levis’s lack of weapons in college. That won’t be the case with the Titans. Derrick Henry at running back gives Levis a future Hall of Famer in the backfield. The receiving corps isn’t outstanding, but Treylon Burks, Chris Moore, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are serviceable.

While falling out of the first round seemed unimaginable for the Kentucky football star, landing close to the UK with Tennessee is a great fit. Playing alongside a QB with over 200 career passing touchdowns in the NFL should help his development tremendously.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. – 193rd overall to Washington

The Kentucky football running back fell down to 193d, only seven picks lower than my prediction. Still, he lands in a good situation in Washington.

Brian Robinson is the lead back, but after that, it’s an open competition. Antonio Gibson had his fewest touches in three years in the NFL last season, and it has a lot to do with his fumbling issue. Jaret Paterson only has 85 career carries in two seasons in Washington as the number three RB. Finally, Jonathan Williams is 29 years old and will be fighting to stay on the team.

In comes Rodriguez, an absolute beast at 6-foot, 217 pounds. He should push to be on the team, and might even pass Patterson and become the No. 3 rushing option in D.C.

Carrington Valentine – 232nd overall to Green Bay

Late round draft picks can get tricky, and such is the case with Valentine, who I had projected to go in the 5th round. Slipping to the 7th seems inconceivable.

Valentine is a big defensive back, which will translate directly to the NFL. He’ll also get to learn from one of the best in the game in Jaire Alexander, which will help his growth.

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