Mistakes will be made in the 2023 NFL Draft, but what if every team botched their first-round pick? We explore those options in this latest NFL Mock Draft.
As we approach the 2023 NFL draft, you can expect to see numerous mock draft projections predicting what teams will do, what they should do, and a mixture of both. However, you won't come across many projections highlighting what teams could do to completely botch their draft selections in 2023.
In this 2023 NFL mock draft, we'll be taking a look at what the first round could look like if every team completely botched their pick, similar to Frank Reynolds and his toe knife. It's important to note that just because a pick is labeled as "bad" doesn't necessarily mean that the prospect in question is a poor choice. Instead, it's a combination of factors such as the pick's value, team needs, and other circumstances that make it an unwise use of draft capital.
If any of these scenarios do occur and you find yourself needing to patch up the wound with garbage, don't panic - there's still a chance that it could work out. However, based on our knowledge of these prospects and teams, here's how every team could potentially mess up their first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL Mock Draft 2023, Botch Job: Every team screws up its first-round pick
With just over a week left until the draft, it seems like the Carolina Panthers have their sights set on Bryce Young, and that he'll be the top pick in the draft as an Alabama quarterback.
Suppose the Panthers wanted to make an unconventional and strategic move with the top pick in the 2023 draft. In that case, they could opt to choose Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson over Young or C.J. Stroud. Despite being a Gator product, Richardson possesses every physical trait and skill required to excel in the position. Additionally, I believe that he's more advanced as a project quarterback than some might think.
While Richardson possesses excellent tools and attributes, the reality is that he only has one year of starting experience, during which he didn't perform at a high level. Unless he finds himself in an ideal situation, there's a high likelihood that selecting him as the top quarterback could result in failure, even if his physical abilities are enticing enough for a team like the Panthers to consider using the first overall pick on him.
The situation surrounding this pick is a bit complicated. According to reports, the Texans are only interested in drafting one quarterback in this draft - Bryce Young. As a result, with the Panthers looking to select him as the top pick, rumors suggest that Houston is considering moving out of this position.
In this NFL mock draft scenario, we're considering the possibility that the Texans could make a significant error by not selecting a quarterback with the second overall pick.
Let me be clear - Houston has shown that they're committed to giving head coach DeMeco Ryans all the support he needs with the six-year contract he was given. However, it would be discouraging to see the Texans repeat their mistake of relying on Davis Mills as their primary quarterback option, especially considering Ryans is a first-year coach. The Texans need to start addressing their QB issues sooner rather than later, and with the second overall pick in a top-heavy draft class, they have a prime opportunity to do so. Waiting should not be a viable option for them.
