NFL Draft Blockbuster? Rams Trade Up, Select QB Will Levis in CBS Mock
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When the NFL draft officially begins next month the Los Angeles Rams won't be on the clock until day two when they make their first selection at No. 36 overall.
For a team facing a critical roster retool, lacking a first-round pick will definitely make that task more difficult. However, they could attempt to trade back into the first round if a guy they like starts to slip down the board - a scenario that CBS Sports has happening in its latest mock draft.
Rd. 1 No. 18 (via Detroit Lions) - Will Levis - QB (Kentucky)
"He's built like a linebacker and watching him throw the ball in person is something to behold -- you can actually hear the passes whistle -- but questions remain about his ability to layer the ball to all three levels, and some inconsistencies when he rolls to his left.
There's talk that he could slip on draft day and depending on how long he lasts, maybe a team like the Rams would make a move to get him. Because if anyone can get the most out of Levis' ability, it's Sean McVay."
The Rams and Lions have plenty of familiarities to work out a potential draft day trade, with the trade that saw Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford swap teams only two years old.
Going back to the Lions in this mock trade is the No. 36 pick, the No. 77 pick and a second-round pick in the 2024 draft while Sean McVay and the Rams select their potential future franchise quarterback.
For Levis, the Rams would offer him an environment with little pressure right away to be "the guy" early in his NFL career. Rather, with Stafford firmly entrenched as the starter, he could sit and learn from Stafford and McVay as he adjusts to the NFL.
After transferring to Kentucky from Penn State, Levis became one of college football's most polarizing draft prospects. In his two seasons starting for the Wildcats, he showed flashes of elite traits, throwing for 5,232 yards with 43 touchdowns and 23 interceptions while completing 65.7 percent of his passes.
It is easy to see the fascination with Levis - a 6-4, 229-pound quarterback with a cannon for an arm which is a similar build to Stafford that could make him desirable to McVay.
However, just as likely is the Rams are content with their quarterback situation for now and choose to keep all their picks with the possibility of selecting a quarterback in 2024 when they own their own first-round pick.
For now, the Rams won't be on the clock until day two with the No. 36 pick. Despite that, though, it would be foolish to completely rule out a draft day trade to go up and get someone they like - even if it isn't Levis.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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