round 7, pick 254 … Rams take G KT Leveston

from https://theathletic.com/5426661/2024/04/27/los-angeles-rams-2024-draft-picks-grades-scouting-reports/

Round 7

No. 254 (compensatory): KT Leveston, G, Kansas State

Dane Brugler’s analysis

Leveston needs to introduce more technical control and finesse to his execution, but he has the functional movements and power in his lower half and hands that the NFL requires inside at guard. He projects as an NFL reserve who should continue to see more snaps as he gets comfortable on the interior.

from Can KT Leveston’s versatility win a role on the Rams offensive line? — https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/5/6/24148356/la-rams-kt-levestons-offensive-lineman-profile

Squared-off monolithic build. Coaches say Leveston has worked hard to re-shape his body over his college years and he could still use work in that area. He’s a downhill player with a rough-and-tumble style of play. He hustles downfield and plays hard to the whistle. Has good length and strong hands, just needs to take better advantage of them.

His strength is run blocking. He shows the striking power and push to crumble defenders on down and drive blocks, Can get better in this area with work on consistently getting his pad level lower to complement a natural low center of gravity. Leveston has fairly nifty feet, works hard to make reach blocks, and really clamps on to seal. Good strength to torque defenders out of the action. He pulls adequately, but much better if he doesn’t have to go along way laterally, and kicks out well, very sticky. Although he looks smooth working off double teams and up to the next level, his change of direction (or lack) make linear strikes his best moves.

In pass protection, it’s a more of a mixed bag. When Leveston strikes quickly and clamps on, he easily controls rushers, but too often, he’s not aggressive with his punch and hits high and outside. He just doesn’t have the lateral agility or reaction time to mirror speed and/or reaction time to recover from outside speed or quick inside counters if beaten at the get-go or the defender slides by. He’s aware on twists/loops, but again, he struggles if he has to go too far.

He sets a wide base and has a stellar anchor. Leveston needs to trust his base, anchor, and footwork, when he reaches and gets out of balance, he is limiting his best attributes, power and strength. In the college game, his girth and wingspan were enough to force speed to go the long way around, but pro rushers will have the bend to navigate around his edge.

Me. On this: He just doesn’t have the lateral agility or reaction time to mirror speed and/or reaction time to recover from outside speed or quick inside counters if beaten at the get-go or the defender slides by. He’s aware on twists/loops, but again, he struggles if he has to go too far.  Those are limitations at tackle but Leveston is most likely a guard in the NFL, and in that role he’s the same general “type” as Dotson and Jackson. I see Ryan Wendell all over this pick.