In Will Levis The Titans Trust After Second-Round Trade Up

It didn't take long for the Tennessee Titans to make their move in round two of the NFL Draft, trading up from No. 41 to No. 33 in a swap with Arizona to pick Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE — Will Levis endured the longest night on Thursday as he sat and watched 31 other players get their names called as first-round draft selections in the 2023 NFL Draft.

His wait wasn't long on Friday night, as the Tennessee Titans traded their second and third-round picks, No. 41 and No. 72, along with next year's third-round selection, for Arizona's second-round pick, No. 33, and their third-round pick, No. 81 for the rights to select Levis.   

The former Kentucky signal-caller was projected throughout the pre-draft process as a sure-fire, first-round talent and a potential top-five pick. However, Levis went undrafted through the first 32 selections, including having been passed on by the Titans at No. 11 in round one. 

Shortly after his selection by the Titans, Levis joined members of the local media on a Zoom call where he spoke about his experience of Thursday  night's wait, to today's excitement of being selected as the second selection of round two. 

"Last night was tough, but I stayed positive, and I knew that what was meant to be was going to happen, and when I saw that they had traded up, that alone was telling me they wanted me," said Levis. "They wanted this to happen, so I'm really, really excited and thankful for the opportunity."        

Levis also spoke on what the phone call was like when he first heard his wait was over. 

"It was great. I heard from Mr. Carthon, and coach (Mike Vrabel) and I knew I was gonna cry," admitted Levis. "The tears came immediately, and I didn't really know how the conversation was going to go, but you feel like you are going to handle himself, and be composed, but the waterworks began and my emotions just began."    

While the response to the Titans’ move was less than positive on social media, Levis is now a Titan, and if Carthon and Vrabel are correct, the Titans might have found themselves the steal of this draft class. 

For reference, Levis became the first quarterback to be taken with the No. 33 pick since Atlanta selected Brett Favre, with that pick in 1991. 

 

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