We’re in the midst of one of the quieter parts of the NFL year. Some roster moves are being made, mostly just the release of higher priced veterans. Most of the action is behind the scenes and won’t bear fruit for another month, at least.

The scouting combine is coming up in about a week, then the new league year, and free agency frenzy, two weeks after that.

Until then, we busy ourselves with totally speculative mock drafts. Last week, I did seven round mocks for eight individual teams. I’ll do another eight teams this week.

Once again, I’m using Pro Football Network’s mock draft tool, I feel it offers the most realistic trade scenarios. Also, since I do each team individually, there will be overlap of players. I would also like to reiterate that these mocks are what I would do if I was the GM, not necessarily what I think will happen.

With no further ado:

DENVER BRONCOS

What I liked: Luke McCaffrey is a bit of a project, but the media will love the story of him being drafted by the team his dad starred for.

What I didn’t like: JJ McCarthy should definitely be a first round target for the Broncos, I am just not entirely sure they can land him without moving up.

Synopsis: This is a ho-hum draft class for Denver on the surface. It all depends on how McCarthy pans out. If they’ve got their QB, great, if not this will be a very weak class.

HOUSTON TEXANS

What I liked: The first two picks are home runs. Jer’Zhan Newton at #23 is realistic and a no brainer pick for the Texans. Bralen Trice could be a perfect complement to last year’s first rounder, Will Anderson.

What I didn’t like: Houston should definitely address the offensive line before I did with Dylan McMahon at #235.

Synopsis: The Texans were one of the surprise teams of 2023 and are definitely on the right path. This is a good draft for them, but they should address offensive line earlier.

DALLAS COWBOYS

What I liked: The Cowboys running game was a bit of a disappointment last year, Braelon Allen should help kickstart it.

What I didn’t like: I love Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Dallas will too, but I think they should add another weapon to the passing game.

Synopsis: Dallas is a very good, but not great team. This draft probably doesn’t change that. The offensive line is showing cracks and probably needs addressed before the seventh round.

DETROIT LIONS

What I liked: I have the Lions heavily investing in their biggest weakness, the secondary. James Williams is a hybrid safety/linebacker that I’m particularly high on.

What I didn’t like: I would have liked to add another pass catcher, but if Jameson Williams steps up, it might be irrelevant.

Synopsis: Detroit is on the short list of NFC Super Bowl contenders for 2024. I went heavy on defense for them, while also grabbing their future at QB, a great value at the end of the first round.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

What I liked: Braelon Allen will slot in nicely behind Aaron Jones and should be ready to shoulder the load once he moves on.

What I didn’t like: I’m a Bears fan so I dislike everything that benefits the Packers. This is a very good draft for them. I especially dislike the Jer’Zhan Newton pick.

Synopsis: Packers are loaded with plenty of young skill position players with upside, they seemed to have moved on seamlessly from another HOF QB. Ugh! They could use reinforcements on the offensive line, and I found some high upside guys in the fourth and fifth round for them. I hate Green Bay.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

What I liked: The Rams landed possibly three eventual high end starters on the offensive line in JC Latham, Zach Frazier & Javion Cohen.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t address LA’s pass rush until their last pick with Jalyx Hunt.

Synopsis: The Rams haven’t had a first round pick since 2016, so it’s hard to tell how they’ll approach it. I played it safe and went with the top offensive lineman. Rams are a good but aging team in need of an infusion of youth.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

What I liked: Jeremiah Trotter Jr in the third round is great value and will fill the void left by Shaq Leonard.

What I didn’t like: I wasn’t able to address the secondary at all.

Synopsis: This is a pretty strong draft for the Colts, the first five picks should all play significant roles in the near future.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

What I liked: Jer’Zhan Newton is an obvious choice, but I really think the other Newton, Josh Newton, could be a tremendous value for the Jaguars.

What I didn’t like: I like Jalen McMillan but Jacksonville might need a more high end receiver.

Synopsis: The Jaguars disappointed in 2023 by collapsing down the stretch, but they have a decent foundation and this draft should help that.

That’s a wrap on another NFL season. Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions. Please, stop with the beginning of a dynasty narrative, this IS a dynasty. AFC champions four of the last 5 seasons, Super Bowl champions 3 out of 5, including back to back. The beginnings of this dynasty was years ago.

A quick recap of my prognostications. After starting out 3-3 straight up and 2-4 versus the spread in the Wildcard round, I caught fire, going 6-1 straight up and an astounding 7-0 versus the spread to make my postseason record 9-4 straight up and versus the spread. Hopefully, my hot streak continues through the draft.

Now that the draft order is set, it’s time to enter the next phase of mock draft season. Over the next several weeks, I’ll do seven round mocks for all 32 teams. These drafts are my “If I was the GM” mocks. I don’t necessarily think this is what will happen, but what I would do if I’m making the decision.

I use Pro Football Network’s mock draft tool, because it offers the most realistic trade scenarios. I did each team individually, so there will be overlapping of players. Without further ado, let’s kick this pig:

BALTIMORE RAVENS

What I Liked: Johnny Wilson is a VERY big bodied receiver who could be a perfect complement to the smaller and shiftier Zay Flowers.

What I Didn’t Like: There is no way Jer’Zhan Newton lasts until the 32nd pick, but it would be a typical Baltimore pick. Not a pressing need, but clearly the best player on the board and a tremendous value.

Synopsis: The Ravens were the best team in the NFL right up until running into that post season juggernaut of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. They don’t have any glaring needs, but I added several players that could have an impact during their rookie season.

BUFFALO BILLS

What I liked: The first four picks could have an immediate impact in their rookie seasons Leonard Taylor is an especially good value since I have him as a fringe first rounder.

What I didn’t like: If I’m the Buffalo GM, I’d want to add a receiver well before pick #161, where I took Luke McCaffrey, who is definitely a project.

Synopsis: Like Baltimore, the Bills season ended at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that has proven to be Buffalo’s nemesis. I’m not sure there is any draft haul that can get them past that.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

What I liked: This is a strong draft for Arizona, addressing a lot of their needs without any egregious reaches. Jeremiah Trotter Jr in the third round is tremendous value.

What I didn’t like: This is nitpicking but… They missed out on MHJ, but I opted to trade back and add more capital and landed a pretty good consolation prize in Rome Odunze.

Synopsis: As stated before this is a strong draft class for the Cardinals. It won’t make them contenders in the upcoming season, but it does set a pretty good foundation.

ATLANTA FALCONS

What I liked: JJ McCarthy is an upgrade at QB without mortgaging the future in Atlanta.

What I didn’t like: The pick itself is a no brainer, but there’s no way Byron Murphy II falls to the third round.

Synopsis: The Falcons may opt for a veteran free agent at QB or make a splash trade for one (Justin Fields?), but landing a possible franchise QB in the second round is a good second option.

CHICAGO BEARS

What I liked: If I’m the Bears GM, I’m sticking with Justin Fields and trading the #1 pick for an historic haul. New England gave it to me here and I landed my favorite player in the draft, Marvin Harrison Jr and with the added second round pick landed the best center, Jackson Powers-Johnson.

What I didn’t like: Need and value didn’t align just right for the second second rounder I acquired. Ja’Tavion Sanders is a fine player and will do well in Chicago, but I’d have rather had a safety or another wide receiver or edge rusher here.

Synopsis: Ultimately, I think the Bears will move on from Fields and draft Caleb Williams first overall, but this is “what I would do”. With the added draft capital of a trade back, Bears can plug most of their holes and build depth.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

What I liked: I used Carolina’s first five picks to improve the supporting cast around Bryce Young. Ben Sinnott should provide a security blanket and safety outlet for the young QB.

What I didn’t like: The Panthers pretty much emptied the cupboard to land Young last year, and proceeded to put him in as bad a situation as they possibly could. Jalen McMillan is a fine receiver but he’s not a #1 like DJ Moore, the one they gave up last year.

Synopsis: The Panthers will have to dip heavily into free agency to help improve the situation around Young. They’re paying the price for an overzealous move to land a franchise QB.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

What I liked: T’Vondre Sweat is the best run stuffer in the draft, landing him near the end of the second round is tremendous value.

What I didn’t like: Seeing the state of Cleveland’s offensive tackles at season’s end, I would have preferred landing one before Matt Goncalves at #154.

Synopsis: Like Carolina, the Browns lack a first round pick because they mortgaged their future on what may or may not be a franchise QB. Luckily, for Cleveland, they have a much more solid foundation and are better able to deal without a high draft pick.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

What I liked: Kool-Aid McKinstry is good value at #18 overall and should be a day one contributor.

What I didn’t like: The Bengals may lose two of their top 3 receivers in free agency and I didn’t address that until the third round with Devontez Walker.

Synopsis: Cincinnati likely would have been a playoff team had Joe Burrow not gotten injured. If they retain at least one of those two free agent receivers, this is a contending team. Not many holes, just little upgrades and depth needed.

Let me start by saying that I will be rooting hard for the San Francisco 49ers. Why? It’s not because I hate Kansas City, far from it. It’s because the Niners have become my second team, and really they should be all Chicago Bears fans second team.

Why? Because San Francisco has vanquished our enemies for us. They’ve bounced the hated Green Bay Packers from the postseason 3 times since 2020. This season, they even added the Detroit Lions to their list of Bears rivals they’ve eliminated.

No true Bears fan will ever forget Bears legend, Robbie Gould, hitting a game winning field goal against Green Bay and celebrating with Jimmy G by emphatically saying ‘F#%* the Packers’.

Then there’s George Kittle, born and raised a Chicago Bears fan and not afraid to let it be known. Yes, the Niners are my second team.

But,

There is a part of me that wants to see the Kansas City Chiefs win. I want the Chiefs to win and Travis Kelce to get MVP. I want Taylor Swift on the field celebrating with him, post game.

I want MAGA conspiracy theorist heads to explode. Especially, when Tay-Tay and her Super Bowl MVP boyfriend go on to publicly endorse President Biden a few weeks later, and then appear, together, in a Pfizer commercial promoting the Covid-19 vaccine boosters. I want the chaos!

But, this has nothing to do with what I want, but what I think will happen. I’ve said it many times, bet against Patrick Mahomes at your own peril.

He hasn’t taken the GOAT mantle from Tom Brady, yet, but he’s well on his way. Post-season Mahomes just finds ways to win, regardless of his supporting cast.

In the last 5 years, only Tom Brady and an upstart Joe Burrow have been able to vanquish the Chiefs in the post season, and it took Burrow and the Bengals overtime to do it.

I’m not betting against that. I have to go with Chiefs (+1.5) 27-24.

Your MVP won’t be Kelce, and surprisingly won’t be Mahomes either. My pick for MVP is inspired by the NFL Network’s Peter Schrager (if you know, you know). I’ll go with Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie, who will have a fourth quarter pick six that will all but seal the Lombardi Trophy for Andy Reid and the Kansas Chiefs.

I have to finish this by celebrating the long overdue Hall of Fame induction of a true GOAT. The greatest to ever do it, and the man that gave me more thrills as a Bears fan than anyone else in years, if not decades.

The Super Bowl matchup is set. For the record, I was 2-0 straight up and versus the spread on Championship Sunday, making me 8-4 both straight up and against the points in the postseason. I’ll have my Super Bowl pick next week. (Spoiler alert- my mantra has been ‘bet against Mahomes at your own peril’).

This will be my last mock draft until after the Super Bowl. This mock draft includes one trade, with the Chicago Bears sending Justin Fields to the Las Vegas Raiders for a second rounder this year and a conditional second rounder next year.

I used Pro Football Network’s mock draft tool and did a three rounder. Let’s hit it:

ROUND ONE

(Pick acquired from Carolina)

(Pick acquired from Cleveland)

(Pick acquired from Houston)

ROUND TWO

WAS acquired #40 from CHI

GB acquired #41 from NYJ

* CHI acquires #44 from LV (mock trade for Justin Fields)

NO acquired #45 from DEN

NYG acquired #47 from SEA

PHI acquired #50 from NO

ROUND THREE

ARZ acquired #71 from TEN

DET acquired #73 from MIN

ATL acquired #74 from JAX

SEA acquired #78 from NO

HOU acquired #86 from PHI

ARZ acquired #90 from HOU

GB acquired #91 from BUF

* Picks #96-100 are compensatory picks

WAS acquired #100 from SF

And then there were four…

This weekend we find out who will meet in the Super Bowl, as the NFL season winds down. Seems like it just started, but it’s almost February.

Last weekend, I went 3-1 straight up but an even more impressive 4-0 versus the spread. Leaving me at 6-4 in the postseason, both straight up and versus the spread. Let’s see how I do this week:

Kansas City at Baltimore

Detroit at San Francisco

TRADES!!!

We’re down to 4 teams left in the NFL postseason. A couple coaching vacancies have been filled and more seem close to being filled. I decided to do one mock draft with trades. My Chicago Bears are the key to the draft, holding two top ten picks, including #1 overall and a young QB they may decide to build around. In this mock, they do just that, trading out of number one and building around Justin Fields.

Here we go:

1. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (from Chicago via Carolina)- Caleb Williams, QB, USC: Bears decide to build around Fields and shop the first overall pick, Commanders are motivated to overpay a bit to move up one spot and grab their new face of the franchise.

2. ATLANTA FALCONS (from Chicago via Washington)- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: Bears do it again, taking advantage of a QB needy team, this time the Falcons. Atlanta doesn’t have a coach yet, but no matter who lands there, QB is a must.

3. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State: Patriots miss out on the top two QBs, but ‘settle’ for the best player in the draft.

4. ARIZONA CARDINALS- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU: I think Arizona is a prime candidate to trade back, but here they stick and take WR who isn’t as far back of MHJ as some may think.

5. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia: Tight ends in the top five is a very rare occurrence, but TEs of Bowers capabilities are just as rare. Chargers are also a perfect fit.

6. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (from NY Giants)- Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: I don’t think the Raiders will roll into 2024 with Aidan O’Connell as QB1. They may shop for a veteran, but here I have them making the move for the Heisman Trophy winner.

7. TENNESSEE TITANS- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame: Titans continue to rebuild their offensive line by adding the top tackle in the draft.

8. CHICAGO BEARS (from Atlanta)- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: Bears stick with Fields and recoup a windfall to move down twice to number eight, where they add a perfect complement to DJ Moore.

9. NEW YORK GIANTS (from Chicago)- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State: After trading out of number 6, the Giants move back up to snag Fashanu ahead of the Jets.

10. NEW YORK JETS- JC Latham, OT, Alabama: Jets almost surely have to go offensive line here, Latham is the best on the board here.

11. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama: Vikings could potentially lose Danielle Hunter in free agency, they draft a replacement here.

12. DENVER BRONCOS- Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois: Broncos are in QB limbo, Russ is almost surely gone & they’ve been boxed out on the top prospects in the draft. They pivot and address their defensive line instead of.

13. CHICAGO BEARS (from NY Giants via Las Vegas)- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State: Ryan Poles puts on a master class, moving down again, adding more capital & then drafting a perfect book end pass rusher from Montez Sweat.

14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA: Latu’s injury history is the only reason he’s not the top edge rusher off the board, the Saints gladly scoop him up here.

15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: Colts take the top corner in the draft.

16. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Seattle)- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson: Eagles need to address their secondary and they make a move up the board to get their guy.

17. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa: Jaguars beef up their secondary.

18. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State: Bengals may lose Tee Higgins in free agency, here’s a replacement.

19. LOS ANGELES RAMS- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: Rams continue to rebuild their offensive line.

20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama: Steelers bolster their secondary.

21. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State: Offensive or defensive line feels like the play for the Dolphins, they go tackle here.

22. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from Philadelphia)- Demeioun Robinson, EDGE, Penn State: Seahawks trade down and add a premium pass rusher.

23. HOUSTON TEXANS (from Cleveland)- Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington: Texans take a pass rusher to line up opposite Will Anderson.

24. DALLAS COWBOYS- Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia: Cowboys need to bolster their secondary.

25. GREEN BAY PACKERS- Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington: Packers take a possible successor to David Bakhtiari.

26. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Tampa Bay)- Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU: Is there a playoff team with a more glaring need than KC and WR? Here, the Chiefs move up to grab their guy.

27. ARIZONA CARDINALS (from Houston)- Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo: Cardinals use their second first rounder to address their secondary.

28. BUFFALO BILLS- Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon: Bills add another weapon for Josh Allen.

29. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (from Kansas City)- Kalen King, CB, Penn State: Buccaneers move back and take the next great defensive back from Penn State.

30. DETROIT LIONS- Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami-FL: Lions add more talent to their secondary.

31. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- Graham Barton, IOL, Duke: Niners address one of their few weaknesses by taking the top interior lineman in the draft.

32. BALTIMORE RAVENS- Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas: Ravens add another receiver to their arsenal.

Eight teams left. Super Wildcard Weekend was definitely wild & surprising. I went 3-3 straight up, 2-4 versus the spread. Here’s hoping I do better this week.

Houston at Baltimore

Green Bay at San Francisco

Tampa Bay at Detroit

Kansas City at Buffalo

24 of the first round spots are now locked. Eight more to be decided.

Once again, I’m not doing trades in this mock, with one exception. With the Chicago Bears holding the first overall pick, a decision has to be made about Justin Fields. Since I’m not trading picks here, I am mocking a trade of Fields to the Atlanta Falcons. I don’t think the Bears will get the #8 pick, as Mel Kiper suggests, so I gave them Atlanta’s second rounder.

I did two full rounds for this mock. Let’s go:

ROUND ONE

1. CHICAGO BEARS (from Carolina)- Caleb William, QB, USC: Bears get their new franchise QB.

2. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: Commanders get a new face of the franchise.

3. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State: Patriots ‘settle’ for the best player in the draft.

4. ARIZONA CARDINALS- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama: Cardinals biggest issues are on defense.

5. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia: Chargers take the best TE prospect since Kyle Pitts.

6. NEW YORK GIANTS- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU: Giants need more reliable pass catchers.

7. TENNESSEE TITANS- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame: Titans continue to rebuild their offensive line.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA: Falcons land perhaps the most dynamic pass rusher in the draft.

9. CHICAGO BEARS- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: Bears give their new QB another top notch weapon.

10. NEW YORK JETS- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State: Jets have to strengthen their offensive line.

11. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama: Vikings continue to rebuild their defense.

12. DENVER BRONCOS- Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: Broncos move on from Russ and draft his replacement.

13. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: Raiders take another stab at corner.

14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- Jer’Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois: Saints add the best interior defensive lineman in the draft.

15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State: Colts add a top notch pass rusher.

16. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State: Seahawks add a pass rusher to their defense.

17. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa: Jaguars opt to upgrade their secondary.

18. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State: Bengals draft a possible replacement for Tee Higgins.

19. LOS ANGELES RAMS- JC Latham, OT, Alabama: Rams continue to rebuild their offensive line.

20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson: Steelers add to their secondary.

21. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State: Dolphins opt to upgrade their offensive line.

22. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami-FL: Eagles need fresh blood in their secondary.

23. HOUSTON TEXANS (from Cleveland)- Troy Fautanu, IOL, Washington: Texans add the best interior offensive lineman in the draft.

24. DALLAS COWBOYS- Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia: Cowboys pass defense needs work.

25. GREEN BAY PACKERS- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: Packers need new blood on the offensive line.

26. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU: Buccaneers work on their offensive line.

27. ARIZONA CARDINALS (from Houston)- Leonard Taylor, IDL, Miami-FL: Cardinals stay on the defensive side of the ball.

28. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU: The Chiefs’ need at wide receiver is glaring.

29. BUFFALO BILLS- Kalen King, CB, Penn State: Bills opt to upgrade the secondary.

30. DETROIT LIONS- Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas: Lions could use another pass catcher.

31. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- Graham Barton, IOL, Duke: 49ers biggest weakness is interior offensive line.

32. BALTIMORE RAVENS- Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo: Ravens go with a corner.

ROUND TWO

33. CAROLINA PANTHERS- Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon: Panthers need to give Bryce Young better weapons.

34. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan: Patriots nab their new QB.

35. ARIZONA CARDINALS- Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina

36. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS- Jeremiah Trotter, LB, Clemson

37. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

38. TENNESSEE TITANS- Sedrick Van Pran, IOL, Georgia

39. NEW YORK GIANTS- Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

40. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (from Chicago)- Brandon Dorlus, EDGE, Oregon

41. GREEN BAY PACKERS (from NY Jets)- Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas State

42. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama

43. CHICAGO BEARS (from Atlanta)- Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon: Bears get a new center with the pick they acquired for Fields.

44. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington: Raiders need an upgrade at QB.

45. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (from Denver)- Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

46. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

47. NEW YORK GIANTS (from Seattle)- Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

48. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington

49. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas

50. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from New Orleans)- Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia: Eagles get a replacement for the retiring Jason Kelce.

51. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- T’Vondre Sweat, IDL, Texas

52. LOS ANGELES RAMS- TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State

53. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas

54. CLEVELAND BROWNS- Patrick Paul, OT, Houston: Browns ended the season with two backups at tackle.

55. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Byron Murphy II, IDL, Texas

56. DALLAS COWBOYS- Michael Hall Jr, IDL, Ohio State

57. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- Beau Brade, S, Maryland

58. GREEN BAY PACKERS- Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

59. HOUSTON TEXANS- Ruke Orhorhoro, IDL, Clemson

60. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Kris Jenkins, IDL, Michigan

61. BUFFALO BILLS- Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina

62. DETROIT LIONS- Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB, Missouri

63. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest

64. BALTIMORE RAVENS- Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

Cleveland at Houston

Miami at Kansas City

Pittsburgh at Buffalo

Green Bay at Dallas

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay

SUPER BOWL PICK

San Francisco over Buffalo

I didn’t want to pick total chalk, though I do think Baltimore is the best team in the league, they have a tougher path. I think Buffalo & Cleveland are real threats to the Ravens. The 49ers, on the other hand, have no threats in the NFC. Book San Fran in the Super Bowl.

The NFL regular season is over and since my Chicago Bears aren’t in the playoffs, it’s the first day of mock draft season for me!

The top 18 picks are locked, 19-32 the order is subject to change. I will not be doing any hypothetical trades until after the Super Bowl, so all these picks are who I think these teams will take at that spot.

Here we go:

1. CHICAGO BEARS (via Carolina)- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: Ultimately, I think Chicago trades this pick, but if they stay it has to be a QB. I think Maye will be more to their liking than Caleb Williams.

2. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS- Caleb Williams, QB, USC: New owner, new coach & new face of the franchise in DC.

3. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State: Patriots need a QB, desperately, but they’re going to have to move up to get one worth a top 5 pick. Here they just take the best player in the draft, and another position of need.

4. ARIZONA CARDINALS- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama: Cardinals could go many directions here, but fixing the defense has to be a top priority.

5. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia: Chargers & Bowers seem like a perfect fit. Best TE prospect since Kyle Pitts.

6. NEW YORK GIANTS- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame: Giants may be in the QB market, they may go WR here too, but I think Alt is too good to pass up.

7. TENNESSEE TITANS- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State: WR is a possibility & Bowers would be a perfect fit, but Fashanu is a dominant left tackle.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama: Full disclaimer here: This mock involves no speculative trades, except one. The Bears having the first pick requires a trade, either the pick or QB Justin Fields. In this exercise, Fields lands in Atlanta. So, instead of taking a QB, Atlanta goes defense.

9. CHICAGO BEARS- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU: Bears have a number one WR, but they need more for whoever is under center.

10. NEW YORK JETS- JC Latham, OT, Alabama: Aaron Rodgers will return so the Jets desperately need to improve his protection.

11. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama: I believe Kirk Cousins will return to Minnesota, making defense the top priority.

12. DENVER BRONCOS- Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: I think Denver moves on from Russell Wilson, they’ll start over with the Heisman Trophy winner.

13. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa: Raiders need a QB, but I don’t see them doing it here.

14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois: Saints take the top interior defensive lineman in the draft.

15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State: WR is a possibility, but I think the Colts will go defense.

16. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA: Injury red flags will push him further down the board than his talent warrants.

17. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson: WR or OT are possible if Jags go offense, but I think they’ll go defense.

18. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington: Bengals get a steal and a replacement for Tee Higgins.

19. GREEN BAY PACKERS- Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State: Packers get a long term replacement at left tackle.

20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State: Bucs get younger on their pass rush.

21. ARIZONA CARDINALS (from Houston)- Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State: Cardinals get their WR with their second first rounder.

22. LOS ANGELES RAMS- Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State: Rams replace Jalen Ramsey.

23. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami-FL: Going interior defensive line feels like a Steelers kind of pick.

24. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia: I feel like Miami has to go offensive line here, can never go wrong with a Georgia Bulldog.

25. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami-FL: Eagles take the best safety in the draft,

26. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU: Chiefs need for wide receivers is one of the most obvious in all of football.

27. HOUSTON TEXANS (from Cleveland)- Troy Fautanu, IOL, Washington: Texans take the top interior offensive lineman in the draft.

28. DETROIT LIONS- Kalen King, CB, Penn State: Detroit needs to vastly improve their pass defense.

29. BUFFALO BILLS- Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU: Bills opt to upgrade the offensive line.

30. DALLAS COWBOYS- Jeremiah Trotter Jr, LB, Clemson: Cowboys take the top off ball linebacker in the draft.

31. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- Graham Barton, OT, Duke: Niners get maybe the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft.

32. BALTIMORE RAVENS- T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas: Ravens land the best run stuffer in the draft.