Suggestion for a rule change next year. Having the consolation bracket decide the top pick of the draft to give them something to play for is fine with me. However, it’s not necessary to put the entire consolation bracket at the top of the draft with all 4 picks to have this effect. If only the #1 pick is up for grabs to the winner, then the consolation bowl still means something. I see no reason why the losers in the race to the consolation bowl should get picks 2 3 and 4, and it runs contradictory to the idea of draft order parity.
So I propose next year we give the consolation bowl winner the #1 pick, but schedule everyone else in reverse order of standings. It’s a less disruptive solution that scratches the itch just as well.