This story has been updated from a previous version.
The Steelers' 32nd overall pick is believed to be a top trade target for multiple teams ahead of Friday's second and third rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.
According to a report from NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, multiple teams contacted Pittsburgh with offers for the first pick of the second round.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Friday morning that four unidentified teams have been in touch with "legitimate interest" in acquiring the pick. Fowler later reported the Titans, Rams, Patriots and Falcons were interested in trading up, though he didn't specify whether that was in relation to Levis.
Four teams have engaged the #Steelers with legitimate interest in trading for the No. 32 pick, per sources. Pittsburgh would need an aggressive offer to move off the pick, given the talent available to it should the Steelers stay put.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 28, 2023
The top target for teams looking to move up is reportedly Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, among the more notable players to go undrafted Thursday:
Will Levis was the most surprising name to slip out of the NFL Draft’s first round last night. His wait shouldn’t be long tonight. https://t.co/Qvu5C46Jes
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 28, 2023
Levis' draft-day slide was something of a surprise; though technically unrefined, he has an arm talent that alone led most mock drafts to consider him a first-round selection. The Sporting News' own mock draft had him falling out of the top 10, all the way to the Vikings at 23.
MORE: NFL mock draft 2023 for Rounds 2, 3
His time on the board might not last much longer, however. It all depends on pricing, but the Steelers might receive too lucrative an offer to sit on the 32nd pick. The question is whether a team would want to trade up to grab Levis — a potential long-term project — instead of waiting to see how other teams draft.
With that, The Sporting News looks at teams that could potentially move up and trade for the Wildcats quarterback:
Steelers' trade options for 32nd pick in NFL Draft
Lions
- Round 2, Pick 34
Jared Goff is the starter in Detroit, but the Lions — which already made a bold draft-day decision to select running back Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall — could use the 34th overall pick acquired in the Cardinals trade to move up two spots and grab Levis. This move would allow Levis to develop under Goff, whose contract expires after the 2024 season.
Los Angeles Rams
- Round 2, Pick 36
The Rams were one of several teams without a first-round pick on Thursday, so this essentially is akin to a first-rounder for Los Angeles. Matthew Stafford is 35 years old and dealt with several injuries in 2022, a year after leading Los Angeles to the Super Bowl. Levis could at least provide some valuable depth to a team struck multiple times by injuries last year — but is that worth a trade up?
MORE: NFL Twitter roasts bettors who trusted Levis No. 1 pick Reddit rumor
Tennessee Titans
- Round 2, Pick 41
Tennessee got some much-needed improvement on the offensive line by taking Northwestern' Peter Skoronski 11th overall. But that still doesn't address a glaring need at the quarterback position, with Ryan Tannehill playing in his final contract year and Malik Willis coming off a disappointing rookie campaign. Only Tennessee's front office knows what the franchise thinks of Levis, but a trade up from the 41st overall pick to grab a player some deemed worthy of a first-round grade is, on the surface, a much better value than taking him in the first round.
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, Pick No. 44
The Falcons are among the rumored teams to be interested in trading up, but it remains to be seen whether they would and, if so, for whom. They already have second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder as a young, unproven prospect and added Taylor Heinicke via free agency. Levis has better raw talent than both, and could provide some competition to draw the best out of the QBs already on the roster.
