Titans, Patriots are workforce matches
Quarterbacks have been at all times sure to be the defining story of the 2023 NFL draft. However after three were chosen in the first four selections Thursday, the highlight turned to a participant who did not hear his title known as on Day 1.
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis endured an extended slide all the way out of the first round, creating a clumsy await a participant who was readily available in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, and absolutely anticipated to be celebrating by now.
As an alternative, Levis seems sure to have his skilled soccer destiny decided Friday. However figuring out his actual touchdown spot will not be straightforward.
Listed here are eight groups that might be candidates to take Levis:
Tennessee Titans
Let’s name Tennessee the front-runner for Levis, because the Titans have each the means (the No. 41 decide) and motivation to make this occur. Levis went on a pre-draft go to to Tennessee, and new common supervisor Ran Carthon has stored all choices on the desk at quarterback.
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With Ryan Tannehill getting into the ultimate yr of his contract, Levis may sit for a season earlier than Carthon takes inventory subsequent offseason of what he needs to do behind heart. If he develops to the Titans’ liking, Levis may permit the workforce to flip from a facilitator to a playmaker behind heart. USA TODAY Sports’ final mock draft pegged Levis to the Titans with the No. 11 total decide. Perhaps we have been only a spherical too early.
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles ought to have loads of intel on Levis provided that Liam Coen, the quarterback’s former offensive coordinator at Kentucky, served on the workforce’s employees final yr earlier than returning to the varsity. There’s additionally some schematic overlay with Sean McVay’s assault that might make this a extra pure match than a number of of the opposite options right here. And the Rams absolutely need to be pondering their choices behind heart given the retirement rumors which have swirled round 35-year-old Matthew Stafford.
Nonetheless, it is perhaps farfetched for the Rams to make use of their first choice on the draft at No. 36 total on a participant who will not present any returns for a minimum of a yr or two. McVay and Co. are hungry to return to the NFC’s contending ranks after a disastrous 5-12 marketing campaign, and the chance is definitely there given the state of the convention. To do this, nonetheless, GM Les Snead might want to tackle some key deficiencies within the draft, together with cornerback, edge rusher and tight finish.
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In brief, the Rams would actually have to be satisfied that Levis is one thing particular so as to pull the set off right here.
Minnesota Vikings
Sure, Minnesota is not scheduled to be again on the clock till effectively into Spherical 3 – No. 87 total. However Levis may make a becoming choice for the workforce to think about because it weighs its future with Kirk Cousins.
Regardless of backing the 11-year veteran as his starter all through the offseason, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has stored the door open for the workforce to show to a stylistically totally different participant behind heart. Levis is definitely that, his daredevil taking part in model and luxury working exterior of construction drawing a pointy distinction to Cousins. And bringing Levis in would give Minnesota its most well-liked timeline to weigh a attainable quarterback change, giving the Kentucky product a yr within the system earlier than Cousins turns into a free agent subsequent offseason. However it could take some urgency for Adofo-Mensah to make a transfer – until Levis tumbles considerably additional.
Detroit Lions
Detroit at all times appeared like a protracted shot to do something at quarterback with both of its two first-round selections, and the likelihood basically turned a moot level with the highest three gamers on the place flying off within the first 4 picks. Within the second spherical, nonetheless, the Lions appear to be the primary workforce that might be a consideration for Levis once they come on the clock at No. 34.
Like Minnesota, Detroit may entertain an eventual change of tempo behind heart by bringing on the rifle-armed passer who thrives throwing off platform. It is simply not clear that is what the Lions need after Jared Goff proved extraordinarily environment friendly in Ben Johnson’s assault.
Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll and John Schneider’s tour of the highest 4 quarterbacks’ professional days did not yield a signal-caller choice with both of the Seahawks’ two first-round picks. That is comprehensible given the high-quality gamers Seattle managed to snare in cornerback Devon Witherspoon and broad receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However it definitely appears that the Seahawks have completed their homework on Levis, who may sit behind Geno Smith whereas he receives wanted NFL tutelage.
However with Smith within the fold and backup Drew Lock having re-signed, it is solely attainable that Carroll and Schneider have been merely doing due diligence on the place.
New England Patriots
Do not giggle. Levis went on a top-30 go to to the Patriots, and Invoice Belichick hardly appears dug in on Mac Jones. The starter’s seat would not instantly be in jeopardy, however taking Levis may put him on discover and provides Belichick a extra bodily gifted different to Bailey Zappe if Jones falters below Invoice O’Brien’s steering.
There are ample different prospects for New England at No. 46, although – and no assure Levis will nonetheless be out there. The offensive line particularly seems due for extra help. And even when Belichick is interested in a quarterback, he might be drawn to Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker as a substitute.
Las Vegas Raiders
Had the Raiders chosen Levis at No. 7 total, many analysts wouldn’t have flinched. Earlier than signing Jimmy Garoppolo in free company, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels stated the workforce was in search of a quarterback who was “going to be right here for a very long time.” May Levis be that long-term choice at No. 38?
The alignment between ability set and scheme won’t be there. From Garoppolo to Tom Brady and Mac Jones, McDaniels appears to prioritize constant accuracy. That is hardly a powerful swimsuit of Levis, whose ball placement final season was erratic at greatest. And whereas the Raiders nonetheless have 11 choices remaining, they nonetheless have vital work to do find further starters on protection after scooping up Texas Tech defensive finish Tyree Wilson at No. 7.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have repeatedly been linked to quarterbacks all through the pre-draft course of, as Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask do not encourage a ton of confidence as sustainable starters. Of all of the choices for Levis, nonetheless, this one appears the least probably.
For one, pairing Todd Bowles – a coach who’s hypercautious along with his offensive method given his intolerance to turnovers – with a participant who threw 23 interceptions within the final two years is a recipe for catastrophe. Extra importantly, nonetheless, the Buccaneers have emphasised that they need their subsequent quarterback to be a distributor fairly than a world-beater. Levis’ taking part in model merely is perhaps untenable right here. And for a workforce that appears poised to pick a quarterback early subsequent yr, this might be a waste of a Day 2 asset.
Comply with USA TODAY Sports activities’ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
