Latest NFL mock draft has Vikings taking eventual Kirk Cousins replacement

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis seems to be dropping down mock draft boards, and for the second time in a week an NFL.com mock draft has him going in the back-half of the first round.

After NFL writer Daniel Jeremiah mocked Levis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19 this past week, fellow NFL analyst Charles Davis has Levis going even further back and ending up with the Minnesota Vikings at the No. 23 overall pick to serve as an eventual replacement for Kirk Cousins. Davis goes on to add that if Tennessee's Hendon Hooker had not suffered a torn ACL late in the 2022 college season, there would have been a heavy debate here. 

While the Vikings will almost certainly still fancy themselves as a contender, there is a strong argument to select a quarterback in the draft if the opportunity presents itself.

Cousins is a free agent after the 2023 season and will be 36 when the 2024 season begins. How much money will the Vikings be willing to invest in a quarterback in his late 30s that, while having varying levels of individual success, has never actually led a team anywhere meaningful in the postseason, or to the playoffs at all?

Cousins is one of the worst types of quarterbacks a team can have because he is good enough that you do not need to get rid of him, but he is not quite good enough to get a team to a championship-level. 

At some point the Vikings need to prepare not only for his successor, but to also find a long-term answer at quarterback that can get them over the hump. 

Levis remains a fascinating prospect. Not too long ago, he seemed to be a lock to be a top-10 pick, or maybe even the top pick, in the NFL Draft because of his measurables and arm strength. But his production in college never really matched the hype. 

Now that C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young seem to be the consensus top-two selections, and Anthony Richardson rocketed up draft boards with his incredible combine workout, Levis seems to be falling back into the draft pack.