5 daring 2023 NFL Draft predictions: QB historical past, Bijan Robinson mistake, Eagles commerce splash
If predicting the NFL Draft usually seems like throwing at a dartboard then doing so in 2023 might be like aiming blindfolded after having fun with pleased hour.
The bizarre circumstances of three groups with successful information final season holding top-10 picks, a consensus shallow first-round class of prospects and a rise in smokescreens have left groups much less positive than regular when predicting the occasions that may unfold earlier than their activate the clock.
Listed here are The Submit’s 5 daring predictions for a 2023 NFL Draft pushed wild by quarterback motion:
1. 4 quarterbacks go within the first 5 picks for the primary time ever … and the Texans look silly
Within the widespread draft period (since 1967), quarterbacks have been the primary three picks 3 times (1971, 1999 and 2020) and 4 of the primary 10 picks as soon as (2018).
By no means earlier than has a draft began with 4 quarterbacks within the top-five picks.
That’s about to vary.
Bryce Younger is a near-lock to go No. 1 to the Panthers.
The Texans may do the good factor and decide C.J. Stroud or get chilly ft and pivot to a defensive participant. (It’s by no means too-bold to say the Texans will look silly).
If the Texans go quarterback, the Cardinals go protection.
In the event that they don’t, Arizona creates a bidding conflict between the Raiders, Titans and another groups eager to land Stroud at No. 3.
The Colts – aimless at quarterback for the reason that Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck back-to-back eras ended – get their subsequent prototype with Will Levis at No. 4.
And the Seahawks reap the benefits of having two first-round picks (No. 5 is their highest since 2009) to pick out high-ceiling Anthony Richardson, figuring out he has a yr to develop on the bench after Geno Smith earned one other likelihood to start out … however on a contract with a possible $17.4 million dead-cap cost if changed in 2024.
2. The Eagles commerce for security Budda Baker and draft defensive deal with Jalen Carter
Nobody makes a splash like Eagles basic supervisor Howie Roseman.
To commemorate the one-year anniversary of stealing receiver A.J. Brown in a commerce with the Titans, Roseman has one other “How’d he do it?” second.
Earlier than quarterback Jalen Hurts’ greater salary-cap numbers kick in, the Eagles will go all-in.
Most groups selecting within the high 10 can’t afford to swing and miss, whereas the defending NFC champions can gamble on the boom-or-bust Carter, who might be the draft’s most-talented player however has on-field (effort) and off-field (arrested on reckless driving and racing cost in connection to a deadly accident) character considerations.
With the Eagles, who at all times look to draft on the road of scrimmage first, Carter finds two acquainted faces who can steer him from unhealthy influences in former Georgia teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean.
With one other first-round decide (No. 30) and $19.6 million in salary-cap house, per spotrac.com, to play with, Roseman can commerce the Eagles’ second- or third-round decide to get a lacking championship piece just like the five-time Professional Bowler Baker, who’s searching for a brand new contract and a commerce from the Cardinals.
So what that the Eagles already don’t have picks within the fourth, fifth or sixth rounds?
3. Bijan Robinson slips previous decide No. 20 and a wise group capitalizes on a commerce again
Bias in opposition to working again worth has jumped the shark.
After main the NFL with 17 speeding touchdowns, Jamaal Williams signed for 3 years, $12 million.
Professional Bowler Miles Sanders acquired the most important free-agent deal (4 years, $25 million) (12th-biggest common annual worth on the place).
Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs are caught on the franchise tag with fading hopes of a multi-year extension.
The Chargers’ Austin Ekeler is idling on the commerce market after main the NFL in touchdowns from scrimmage the final two years (38).
No working again has been picked larger than No. 24 since Barkley (No. 2) in 2018.
Which group will stray from groupthink to select a working again? The Falcons at No. 8? Eagles at No. 10? Commanders at No. 16? Robinson is No. 3 on The Post’s Top 100.
It might be as much as the Patriots – maybe after buying and selling down from No. 14 – to maintain Robinson from falling into the arms of the rival Payments at No. 27.
4. The Packers lastly draft a first-round receiver … to assist Jordan Love with a decide that was a part of the Aaron Rodgers commerce.
Oh, the irony!
Rodgers threw 501 landing passes (common season plus playoffs) for the Packers earlier than one was caught by a former first-round decide (17-year veteran tight finish Marcedes Lewis) final season.
To this present day, Rodgers has thrown 520 and Lewis’ two receptions stand alone partially as a result of the Packers haven’t used a first-round decide on a receiver since Javon Walker in 2002.
You’ll be able to think about that Rodgers will chuckle then when the Packers use the No. 13 decide that belonged to the Jets on receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to provide Rodgers’ successor Love the very best likelihood to succeed.
No. 13 was a part of a first-round decide swap with No. 15 within the commerce that introduced Rodgers to New York this week.
5. The Ravens draft Hendon Hooker to show up the warmth on Lamar Jackson
The Ravens made at the least one commerce with their first-round decide in three of the final 5 drafts, together with the final two instances selecting at No. 22.
The pattern continues as they transfer down from No. 22 with a two-fold plan: Recoup property to atone for not having a second-round decide and drop as little as potential whereas remaining within the first spherical to safe the coveted fifth-year choice on Hooker’s contract.
Some scouts assume the extremely correct Hooker, 25, may need been a top-10 decide despite his age if he had not torn his ACL in late November.
Seeing the writing on the wall after failed attempts to sign Jackson to an extension, the Ravens draft Hooker, who can get wholesome as Jackson performs on the franchise tag.
Then the Ravens can resolve whether or not to provide Jackson a second franchise tag or flip to Hooker in 2024.