NFL Draft 2023: 5 worst picks of the first round
Bijan Robinson and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. These five picks were so bad that the GMs who made them should request a do-over.
The NFL Draft was certainly wild this year as uncertainty reigned over the event for days. The first-round saw plenty of trades and shocking moves, but not everyone was up for the assignment of making strong picks to improve their franchises.
While draft night reactions to picks are definitely way too early, let’s have some fun and discuss five picks that definitely shouldn’t have been made. Let’s start in the Top 10 as Atlanta made a curious choice.
2023 NFL Draft: 5 worst picks of the first round
The Atlanta Falcons added a luxury in the NFL Draft, Bijan Robinson (No. 8)
There was plenty of buzz in the pre-draft process that Bijan Robinson could be a special player who could go inside the Top 10. Running backs are undervalued in the modern NFL and Robinson is a unique talent who could put a contender over the top, which is why many mocks had him going to the Philadelphia Eagles at 10.
The Falcons may have been reading those mocks and took Robinson at No. 8, adding a very talented player to their offense alongside recent Top 10 picks at tight end (Kyle Pitts) and wide receiver (Drake London). The problem is that Atlanta already had a solid running game and had a litany of other needs, including pretty much everything on the defensive side of the ball.
This is not a knock on Robinson, who should be an outstanding NFL running back and will be a tremendous fit in Arthur Smith’s system. The issue is that Robinson is a luxury pick for the Falcons, who opted to buy a Cadillac when the roof of their house was leaking and the plumbing needs to get fixed.
