NFL Mock Draft 2023, Botch Job: Every team screws up its first-round pick

NFL Mock Draft 2023: Every team screws up its first-round pick

I have a strong inclination that, if the Packers end up dealing Aaron Rodgers before the draft, this pick will be for either a tight end or a wide receiver when it’s all said and done. Green Bay infamously ignored those areas in the first round throughout the quarterback’s tenure at Lambeau. So it would be perfect if the fed-up organization went with a spite pick that, in truth, the roster also needs too as Samori Toure is currently the WR3.

Subsequently, though, the pitfall that the Packers could fall into is their old habits as they hand the keys to Jordan Love. Pass-catchers and offensive line help should be top priority for this team, but seeing a great cornerback like Devon Witherspoon on the board when Green Bay could use some help there would be extremely on-brand and extremely the wrong pick at this point and time.

If a team outside of the Top 20 wants to take Hendon Hooker or, better yet, if a team early in the second round wants to give the Tennessee product a long look, I’d be more than okay with that.

Hooker has a great arm, nice athleticism, and a clear feel for processing even coming out of a gimmicky college offense that won’t suffice in the NFL. But the undeniable truth of the matter is that he’s already in his mid-20s and won’t play in the 2023 season as he recovers from a late-season torn ACL with the Vols.

Yes, the Commanders need some answers at quarterback. But Washington is much better off trying to build out the rest of the roster still and seeing what they have in a Sam Howell rather than reaching heavily on a player like Hooker who they won’t get true answers on until 2024.