The National Football League’s 88th “Player Selection Meeting” kicks off this Thursday night in Kansas City, Missouri, marking the beginning of draft week.
And the smoke that has recently been billowing and breathed by draftniks (and league personnel) across the country has added to the air of uncertainty surrounding the 2023 draft. It will become obvious soon enough whether or whether the comments made by Colts general manager Chris Ballard last week are indicative of sending mock drafts like this one up in flames.
“No one is sure. Ballard, who is now ranked fourth overall, stated, “Nobody is giving out information,” which might provide him some surprising alternatives if the AFC South rival Texans reverse months of conjecture and choose a quarterback with the second overall pick.
“Oh, everybody is lying,” Ballard replied, denying that his team had zeroed in on a single guy. I fear that, of all of us, I may be the most forthright. But they’re all fibbing.”
But when the first 31 names are called in Round 1, the truth will be revealed. For illegally interfering with quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton while they were under contract with other organizations, the Miami Dolphins, who were set to select 21st, forfeited their pick.
Even by draft week standards, this might be a crazy one as more twists are likely to arise before the Panthers officially go on the clock. One such twist occurred Monday afternoon when the Jets and Packers ultimately secured a deal for QB Aaron Rodgers.