AFC Rival GM Expected Chargers to Pass on Zay Flowers in 2023 Draft

He's playing chess, we see.

One of the biggest skills that any GM must learn when heading into the draft each year is to be able to have backup plans. There are 31 other NFL teams that are looking to improve their roster with how ever many picks they hold to their name and none like to reveal who they are targeting.

Chargers fans knew this feeling very well heading into this most recent draft as when Quentin Johnston's name was called in the first round, there was silence. The Atlanta Falcons' selection of Bijan Robinson about 13 picks earlier broke their hearts but they were still hoping for the lightning-fast Zay Flowers or top TE Michael Mayer.

The reaction at the Los Angeles Chargers #NFlDraft Party after the team selected TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston. pic.twitter.com/0fWeRa0GA1

— The Sporting Tribune (@SportingTrib) April 28, 2023

Even though fans are now realizing that Johnston was the right selection for the direction the franchise is trying to go in, it appears that opposing GM's knew this all along. The biggest knock on someone like Flowers during the pre-draft process was his size.

Speed and athleticism were never an issue for Flowers during his time at Boston College but due to the fact that he is just 5'9 and weighs 182 lbs, certain franchises were scared to make a bet on him.

Highlights of #Ravens 1st round pick WR Zay Flowers first practice with the team.

This kid is going to be so good 🔥

(Edited @Ravens 🎥)https://t.co/6Q37gN0NmV

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 9, 2023

However, the Baltimore Ravens wasted no time as they had their first round selection right after the Chargers and immediately took Flowers. 

And it appears that Baltimore's GM had a hunch the whole time that LA was going to pass on the 22-year-old pass-catcher.

"Tom Telesco, the GM, he does a phenomenal job. I felt like they would be potentially looking at Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston or Addison in different ways. They might be looking for an outside guy, an inside guy, but historically they've liked the bigger receivers, the route-runners. So I felt like probably one of those three guys made the most sense for them. But you never know."

(Via BaltimoreRavens.com)

Nonetheless, we love what we've seen Johnston so far in Rookie camp and can't wait for some real games to start,