Battle for top pick heads to prime time … Probably not what the NFL, or the networks prefer, but this week’s Thursday night game between NFC South rivals Atlanta and Carolina likely will have more to do with the final selection order at the 2023 draft than with playoff positioning. That’s because the 2-7 Panthers would have the second pick overall in the current selection order for the opening round of the upcoming draft. And NFL types would probably prefer if no one mentioned playoff chances Thursday night as the 4-5 Falcons are somehow tied for the division lead in the woeful NFL South in which all 4 teams are under .500.
