Baltimore Ravens might have considered drafting Will Levis if unable to come to terms with Lamar Jackson

Will Levis was one of the biggest fallers in the 2023 NFL Draft. One AFC North franchise may have had their draft plans change just moments before the mega-event started in Kansas City.

The Baltimore Ravens had been involved in hectic contract negotiations with star quarterback Lamar Jackson dating all the way back to the end of the regular season. When the two sides could not come to an agreement, Jackson signed a non-exclusive franchise tag with Baltimore that allowed him to speak with other teams. Throughout the process, things were looking bleak for both sides.

That changed on the night of the first round when the sides came to term on a five-year contract that made the Louisville product and 2016 Heisman Trophy winner the highest paid quarterback in the NFL. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes that the Ravens were considering taking a quarterback in the first round if the two sides were unable to come to an agreement. General manager Eric De Costa might have had his eyes set on Will Levis.

“Absent a Lamar Jackson deal by the start of the draft, I believe, after asking around, that the Ravens would have considered quarterback Will Levis with the 22nd overall pick,” Fowler wrote. “Finalizing a deal for Jackson before Thursday night was prudent for Baltimore, which could implement the possibility of drafting a passer as leverage. After the draft, leverage would shift to Jackson, potentially weakening the chance at a deal, because Baltimore’s QB options would be scarce … unless they selected one on Day 1 or 2. This is a moot point after Jackson and Baltimore agreed to terms on a five-year, $260 million extension a few hours before the draft kicked off. Had that not gone down, the QB option could have been tempting — and Levis was the best option at 22.”

At Kentucky’s pro day, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterbacks coach Tee Martin were both present in Lexington to see Levis workout. After not signing a quarterback in free agency, options were limited if Jackson was going to refuse to play for Baltimore again. Levis might have found a home in the first round if the long-term deal wasn’t agreed upon on draft day.

Instead, Will Levis fell into the second round before Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon traded up quickly to take the Kentucky product. An unfortunate draft fall for Levis might have been avoided if the Ravens and Jackson were still playing hardball.