Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › round 7, pick 254 … Rams take G KT Leveston
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April 27, 2024 at 7:09 pm #150546znModeratorHEIGHT6’ 4’’WEIGHT326 lbsARM34 3/8’’HAND9 7/8’’,By Lance ZierleinDraft ProjectionRound 5Overview
Full-time college tackle who might need to become a full-time guard in order to minimize his weaknesses and maximize his strengths. Leveston doesn’t play with the best pad level but still flashes impressive pop and an ability to maul and strain at the point of attack. His hands and body control get sloppy at times and could limit his consistency against NFL competition. Leveston’s background in pass protection at tackle should help with a move inside to guard, but only if he’s quicker with his punch. Leveston doesn’t always look fluid and clean, but he has the power traits to become a good backup who can step in and start if needed.
Strengths
- Improved body composition has translated into better football from him.
- Wide pass sets as a guard will be challenging to maneuver around.
- Ability to bounce and brake when recovering from a bull rush.
- Bulldozes opponents into a new gap on double-teams and down blocks.
- Good maul-and-brawl mentality when his hands get locked in as run blocker.
- Has adequate foot quickness for short pulls and to get into space if needed.
Weaknesses
- Needs to have hands more punch-ready and work with better timing in pass pro.
- Play can creep out on his toes, opening him to rush counters.
- Tall pad level and sloppy entry points lead to sustain inefficiency.
- Inconsistent finding his target and adjusting to movement as move blocker.
- Below-average hand technique and body control as run blocker.
April 27, 2024 at 7:17 pm #150549znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueAt pick No. 254, their final selection in this year’s draft, the Rams are taking guard KT Leveston, a depth pick who Dane Brugler notes has the right power and frame, but needs more developing at the position. He did previously play tackle.April 27, 2024 at 7:22 pm #150551
canadaramParticipantOurlads has nothing on him, but lists him as a guard. Looks like the heaviest player that the Rams drafted this year.
April 28, 2024 at 10:32 pm #150626znModeratorRound 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.
May 6, 2024 at 12:17 am #150772znModeratorfrom PFF, Favorite picks for all 32 NFL teams: https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-favorite-picks-all-32-nfl-teams#LAR
LOS ANGELES RAMS: T KT LEVESTON, PICK 254
Truth be told, this could have been several Rams selections, as their draft was one of my favorites. But I don’t often get to point out a seventh-rounder as my favorite, so I am going to take the opportunity to do so. I had Leveston ranked No. 181 on my big board, and even that felt low, so the Rams getting him at Pick No. 254 is a big steal. I think he has the experience and skills to be a spot starter at tackle or guard.
May 6, 2024 at 12:44 pm #150775znModeratorfrom 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.
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