With the 2024 NFL Draft and major free agent signings now in the rearview mirror, the landscape of the upcoming season is coming more clearly into focus. Covered in this series are players who find themselves in a better position today as a result of off-season moves (or lack of moves) made by their teams than they did at the end of 2023.
What We’ve Seen So Far
Following an unexpected 2023 draft day slide, Will Levis was selected with the 33rd overall pick and landed as the backup in Tennessee’s run heavy offense. In week 8, Levis got his chance to start, taking over for an injured Ryan Tannehill. His debut was a laser show that highlighted his undeniable arm talent and resulted in 4 pass TDs. The remaining 8 starts were more of a mixed bag, however. On 4 occasions he produced fewer than 200 passing yards and only once did he record more than 1 passing TD. Additionally, his lack of rushing (just one game of more than 15 yards on the ground) hampered his fantasy upside. The team finished 3-6 in games he started, but a late season come from behind victory on the road against a playoff bound Miami team showed us that Levis isn’t afraid of the bright lights. All in all, 2023 gave us a snapshot of both Levis’ fantasy ceiling as well as his floor.
What’s Changed Entering 2024?
Few NFL teams have undergone a facelift over the last 4 months quite like the Titans. Gone are defensive guru Mike Vrabel and All-Pro RB Derrick Henry. The team is turning the reins over to an offensive minded Head Coach in Brian Callahan, who oversaw the development of Joe Burrow during his 5-year tenure as Offensive Coordinator in Cincinnati. As far as personnel goes, the team added prized free agent, Calvin Ridley, to their Wide Receiver Room via a 4-year $92 million contract. Ridley will now start opposite DeAndre Hopkins, forming a formidable duo for opposing defenses to handle. The team was also able to scoop up Tony Pollard off the market, inking the former Cowboy to a 3-year $24 million deal. Pollard will split backfield responsibilities with Sophomore Tyjae Spears, as the team appears content to roll with multiple RBs to replace the Bell Cow that was Derrick Henry. But the team went beyond just the skill positions to help add to this retooling offense. The Titans used the 7th overall selection on Alabama’s J.C. Latham to help solidify one of their starting Tackle spots. Mason Rudolph was the lone addition to the QB Room, and is slated to serve as a veteran backup on a one year contract.
What Should We Expect Going Forward?
The range of outcomes for Levis in year 2 varies widely. On one hand, he is stepping into a QB friendly system with a revamped set of weapons and an upgraded offensive line. The team has done their part in providing enough around Levis to find out if he can play at this level or not. On the other hand, Callahan has no ties to Levis and if he doesn’t hit the ground running, the possibility exists that the plug could be pulled on the experiment during or after the 2024 campaign. That’s a lot to ask of a signal caller with just 9 career starts and 255 career pass attempts to his name. Despite the risk, the juice may very well be worth the squeeze when it comes to taking a shot on Levis in dynasty, particularly in Super Flex formats. I am in on buying Levis in such formats at the following price points.
Super Flex Valuation – Assume a 12 Team League
- 1.11
- 2.02 & 3.02
- A projected late 2025 1st
