2023 NFL Draft Thoughts, Ideas, and Predictions
If I were the Philadelphia Eagles, I would be sprinting to the podium to add Bijan Robinson with the 10th pick and giving Jalen Hurts a real threat next to him in the backfield and another way to annoy Cowboys Nation. Running backs have fallen out of favor as a first-round pick, but there haven’t been many like Robinson in the past few years. Bijan Robinson and Brian Branch are a perfect day-one draft for the Eagles.
Carolina Panthers will play the game, but I will be shocked if anyone but Bryce Young is the draft’s top pick.
Houston Texans have to go QB next but could a curve ball choice be in the mix? Take some lumps with the guys on the roster while someone develops.
Arizona Cardinals would need to be overwhelmed to miss getting the most talented guy on the board and the perfect franchise replacement with Will Anderson.
Will Levis and Indy seem like a good match for the first round?
Dallas Cowboys will make a mistake if they go tight end in round one. They should look for a running back but assume Robinson won’t be there then, if you can’t trade down, take the best offensive linemen on the board and come back for an RB in round two. Dallas might be the only team to hit gold with two talented but cheap tight-end options in Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, and then come back and want to add a much more expensive option in round one. Someone like Sam LaPorta in round three makes much more sense than a number-one pick selection.
Could Saquon Barkley be on the move on draft day? A Barkley for Diggs swap? Buffalo gets a real running threat, and Daniel Jones gets his #1 WR.
Aaron Rodgers finally becomes a member of the NY Jets next weekend.
What happens with the Lamar Jackson situation? If I am Baltimore and they cannot meet his demands, I consider telling him to find a team and see what can be worked out. It seems like the Falcons would give up draft capital and be all over getting Lamar on the roster. Plus, moving him out of the conference lessens the reminder regularly.
This draft will be fascinating to watch for the Washington Commanders. New ownership is looming. Do they draft for the future or look to move a few picks for a more win-now mode? Anyone with the team has to know they are coaching, playing, and drafting for their jobs.
Be interesting to watch if hometown flavor has anything to do with some picks in round one: Say, Darnell Wright to the Titans, Zay Flowers to the Patriots, Peter Skoronski to the Bears, Calijah Kancey to the Steelers (although would they ever consider Jordan Addison that might tough for the fanbase to swallow), Quentin Johnson to the Cowboys and anyone from Ohio State to the Bengals to help the offensive line.
Granted, that is a little extreme, but I wonder if a team with two players tied for a pick would subconsciously factor that element into the evaluation. You were the Cleveland Browns, and player A played at USC and player B at Ohio State. It would make sense to take a guy who has played in your weather elements more recently and is comfortable in that area.
I remember a player I interviewed years ago that I got to know very well from an SEC school that the Steelers drafted. He landed on their practice squad for a season, and when it came time to either resign with the Steelers or join the Dolphins, he quickly jumped to sign with Miami. I asked him why, and he said in his 22 years on the planet, he has never been out of the state of Georgia, so returning closer to home made sense. An interesting underlying factor only a few people consider.
If you are looking for a great NFL head coaching candidate, the first call next off-season should be to former Stanford HC David Shaw. Very underrated and would be a home run selection. Say, maybe with LA Chargers or Washington Commanders? He is an egoless version of Sean Payton. I am a big Payton fan admirer and think highly of David Shaw.
Recent NFL signings
Blaine Gabbert to the KC Chiefs
Reaction: Good sneaky move by Andy Reid. You get a guy who has nearly 50 starts to take over the Chad Henne role on the team.
Jeff Driskel to the Arizona Cardinals
Reaction: Jeff is an excellent player (one of the nicest I ever interviewed), but the Cardinals are an attractive fit as they appear to need a more front-line starter type with Murray out for the season.
Driskell to a team like the Cowboys to compete with Will Grier makes more sense, and Arizona needs a more established vet like Teddy Bridgewater instead of Driskell. Interesting to watch what develops in the desert.
Allen Robinson was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Reaction: Good for the Steelers. You get a proven veteran in Robinson, and assuming he’s healthy is an absolute steal. Granted, you are paying a portion of his deal but bringing the old PSU grad back to the Keystone State and giving Pickett another weapon makes total sense. As for the Rams, they are still digging out from going all in for one Super Bowl and now only get to move up slightly in round 7.
If I had a magic wand and could fix three things in football, I would want:
1. Change the bye week so divisions do it. Have each division off on the same week, then return the following week to play each other. Eliminating any unfair divisional advantages.
2. Creation of the NFLDL. (National Football Developmental League) Purchase the CFL, USFL, and XFL and create a 32-team minor league system. Not only develop players but coaches, officials, broadcasting, new rules
3. Change the NFL Network to the Football Network and expand programming to include all things football: scouting shows, tailgate shows, college football spring games, and a rebroadcast of football movies.
I will write more about these three ideas in a future post.
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