We are approaching the end of the college football season. 

The regular season has ended, and conference championships are this weekend. 

And you know what that means, it's mock draft season. So here is my first mock draft of the year.

1. Chicago Bears via Carolina Panthers (1-10):

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Justin Fields has had multiple moments where his potential has flashed in the NFL. The problem is that he hasn't been able to consistently, and the Bears have yet to be successful during his tenure. While there are some in Chicago who believe in Fields, if the Bears truly end up getting the number one overall pick from the Panthers, I'm not sure how they can pass on using it two years in a row. And with two excellent QB prospects in USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye. With the Bears offensive line and skill positions still needing significant improvements, I think they would lean toward Williams and his ability to improvise and make plays from outside the pocket. 

2. Arizona Cardinals (2-10):

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

With Kyler Murray already back on the field after tearing his ACL last season, I have the Cardinals bypassing QB and instead giving Murray a new best friend in WR Marvin Harrison Jr. He has been one of the most anticipated draft prospects over the past few seasons as teams have been licking their lips at the thought of adding Massarati Marv to their WR room. And with a franchise QB already in place, the Cardinals have the luxury to make it their reality. 

3. New England Patriots (2-9):

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina 

This has been a season to forget for the New England Patriots. But if it results in them getting a QB prospect of Drake Maye's level, I think the franchisees and fans would be able to turn it into one to remember. This year has proved that Mac Jones isn't a franchise QB, and if the Patriots have the opportunity to draft either of the top two QBs in this class I don't think they would hesitate to pull the trigger. 

4. Chicago Bears (4-8):

Olu Fashanu, OT Penn State

While Bears fan's dream has been to draft Marvin Harrison Jr. with one of their two firsts, offensive tackle Olu Fashanu out of Penn State is quite the consolation prize. Some may prefer Joe Alt out of Notre Dame, and I don't think any team can go wrong with either tackle. For the Bears to pair their first pick (Caleb Williams) with a blue-chip left tackle prospect like Fashanu, who excels as a pass blocker, makes too much sense to pass up. 

5. Washington Commanders (4-8):

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Washington Commanders roster has multiple needs and could go many different ways with this pick. With so many needs present, going best player available seems like the only way to go. In this case, Notre Dame's Joe Alt is the pick. The Commanders must be pleased with 2nd-year QB Sam Howell, who leads the NFL in passing yards heading into Week 13 with 3,339 yards. Alt day one would be a foundational piece for the Commanders rebuild and start on either side of the line to protect Howell, who has been sacked 15 more times this season than any other QB (55). 

6. New York Giants (4-8):

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU 

Here is the first big shocker of this mock with LSU QB Jayden Daniels heading to New York to be Giant. A year after winning a playoff game, the Giants find themselves at 4-8 and have lost QB Daniel Jones to a season-ending knee injury. Even before his injury, the Giants had to regret the massive contract they gave him last offseason. Daniels' play as of late has him in the discussion for the Heisman and as the QB 3 in the upcoming NFL draft class.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7):

Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

The Buccaneers and Mike Evans seem on the verge of a split this offseason, which will leave a giant hole to be filled in Tampa. The Buccaneers are certainly a team that will monitor this QB class throughout the cycle. In this case, three QBs went before their pick, so instead of reaching on the fourth QB in the class, they land my WR 2 in Florida State's Keon Coleman. 

8. New York Jets (4-7):

JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Jets season was derailed before it could even begin when QB Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles during their season opener. The QB's play since has held the team back from the goals they had set for themselves in the offseason. But the offensive line has also been a major issue all year long. While they missed out on the top two offensive linemen in this mock, Alabama's JC Latham is still a great option to improve their line. Latham is solid in both the pass and run game and could start day 1.

9. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7):

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Chargers have multiple needs they could address on the defensive side of the ball, but gifting Justin Herbert and the Chargers one of the most highly anticipated TE prospects in recent memory in Georgia's Brock Bowers. It may seem like a luxury pick, with the Chargers already having a high-powered offense. But with the Chargers likely having a new head coach, making the strength of their team even stronger can help them hit the road running. 

10. Tennessee Titans (4-7):

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

For the Titans, the three positions I expect to be at the top of their draft board are WR, CB, and OT. With two WRs and three OTs taken ahead of them, they would have the opportunity to select the top CB on their board. I think the best fit for them would be Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry. Of all the CBs in this class, McKinstry has the best chance to start day 1 in the NFL, and the Titans will likely value that with the current state of their CB room. 

11. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7):

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

After zero defensive players in the first nine picks, we have back-to-back CBs off the board. The Raiders are another team with a massive need at CB, and the top three in this class will likely have teams who rank them at the top of their board. Wiggins' length and speed combo could be deadly at the next level and would fit right in with the Raiders gritty defense. 

12. New Orleans Saints (5-6):

Malik Nabers, LSU, WR

The Saints offense has not been able to get on the same page this season with new QB Derek Carr. As a result, it is beginning to look like this will be the last year Michael Thomas is a saint. Luckily for the Saints, this WR class is loaded, and they can land a WR that won't have to travel far in LSU's Malik Nabers. A one-two punch of Chris Olave and Malik Nabers could gas out opposing teams DB's and open up the potential of the Saints drafting a QB in coming years to pair with the young WR tandem. 

13. Green Bay Packers (5-6):

Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

The Packers first-year post-Aaron Rodgers has had its ups and downs. But QB Jordan Love is playing his best football as of late, which should give the Packers enough to build around him. A big step in doing so would be adding to their offensive line. There are rumors that veteran David Bakhtiari could be on the move this offseason, so I have the Packers grabbing Georgia's Amarius Mims as his replacement. Mims was believed to be a top-10 talent before the season began, but an ankle injury has caused him to miss time and hurt his draft stock as a result. 

14. Los Angeles Rams (5-6):

Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama 

For me, going edge rusher for the Rams was an easy decision. My top edge rusher in this class is Dallas Turner out of Alabama. Turner has been one of the most disruptive forces in all of college football this season. He's had some controversial hits that have made some question his character. But if a team feels good about the person he is after meeting him during the draft cycle, this pick would be a home run for the Rams, who need a difference maker off the edge to pair with Aaron Donald, who is holding down the interior. 

15. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6):

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

With Joe Burrow lost for the season, there's a real chance that the Bengals will continue to rise the draft order. But no matter where they land, it seems the team could be moving off WR Tee Higgins during the offseason, leaving an opening at the position. I have them taking Rome Odunze out of Washington. I think his skill set would pair really well with Jamarr Chase and continue to give the Bengals one of the best WR duos in the entire NFL. 

16. Buffalo Bills (6-6):

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

It feels weird drafting so high for a team like the Bills, but this is where things stand. With two CBs off the board, I went with the player I thought would be the best fit to come in and be an outside CB for the Bills and landed on Alabama's Terrion Arnold. Arnold may not be as flashy of a pick as some of the CBs in this class, but he is so technically sound that I believe he could make a more significant day-one impact than many realize. With the Bills missing on their 2022 1st round pick at CB in Kaiir Elam, this pick being able to produce for them is crucial.

17. Arizona Cardinals via Houston Texans (6-5):

Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

The Cardinals landed their top WR with their first pick, and they just might be landing their top edge rusher with their second with Jared Verse out of Florida State. This class's top-four edge rushers could go in any order, and it wouldn't shock me. Verse may be the best fit for Jonathan Gannon's defense with his ability to disrupt both the run and the passing game. Verse was considered high on multiple team's boards last season but elected to spend another year in college. This means this could be a player many teams have had their eyes on for quite some time. 

18. Denver Broncos (6-5):

Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

As I said above, the top four in this edge class will likely be ranked differently by just about every team, depending on what they are looking for at the position. When it comes to the Broncos, I believe a high-upside edge rusher with next-level traits that Laiatu Latu out of UCLA possesses would be a perfect fit. 

19. Atlanta Falcons (5-6):

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

The Falcons have too much talent on the offensive side of the ball to waste it with a subpar QB like Desmond Ridder. While Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington isn't a perfect prospect by any means, I believe his strengths match up really well with the talent already in place in Atlanta. A QB like Penix Jr., who can attack defenses vertically, will help the Falcons better use players like WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, who are being held back from reaching their full potential with Ridder under center.

20. Minnesota Vikings (6-6):

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

The Vikings saw their QB and leader, Kirk Cousins, go down with a torn Achilles this season. They were already having to discuss when they would have to pull the trigger on a rookie QB, and with that level of recovery now on the horizon for Cousins, now may be the perfect time. Michigan's J.J. McCarthy has impressed me this season with the touch on his passes and his aggressiness to attack tight windows that the defense gives him to make big plays. Giving McCarthy a veteran like Cousins to lean on with the weapons already in place in Minnesota might be the perfect spot for him to be successful at the pro level. 

21. Indianapolis Colts (6-5):

Demeioun "Chop" Robinson, Edge, Penn State

The Colts have a few different positions they could go with here. I considered WR, CB, and Edge rushers in this class. When it came down to making the pick, I believe the depth at WR and CB make it easier to pass on them here, whereas the drop-off at edge rusher is more drastic. With three already off the board, I have the Colts taking Demeioun "Chop" Robison out of Penn State. Robinson is more raw than the other three edge rushers drafted ahead of him here, but he may have the highest ceiling of them all. If an NFL team can find a way to channel the high points that Robinson has shown this year and make them occur more consistently, they will have an animal on their hands that no offense is going to like lining up against. 

22. Seattle Seahawks (6-5):

JT Tuimolau, Edge, Ohio State

The Seahawks remain in the thick of things in the NFC. But games this season where they have struggled to disrupt offenses with their defensive line has loomed large. A player like JT Tuimolau out of Ohio State would be able to make an impact for the Seahawks early in his career as a solid run defender off the edge. He may not have the elite speed most dominant pass rushers have, but his ability to make tackles uncomfortable with his hands and overall strength raises his floor to the next level tremendously. 

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4):

Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

How the Steelers sit at 7-4 with how lackluster their offense has been this season is beyond me, but here they are. While no one should be sold on Kenny Pickett at this point, there isn't a clear upgrade available for them at 23, so the best thing they can do is continue improving their offensive line. They added tackle Broderick Jones last year, who is already looking like a long-term starter for the team. I believe Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State can slide right in opposite of Jones on day one and create a solid OT duo to protect Pickett and give the Steelers the best shot at evaluating his play going forward. 

24. Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns (7-4):

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Adding another WR for QB CJ Stroud to pair with Nico Collins and Tank Dell should be of high priority for the Texans this offseason. And it just so happens one of his former teammates is ripe for the picking here at 24 in Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka could slide right in and be the Z WR in the Texans offense, allowing Collins to be their X, and Dell to play more out of the slot going forward. The best part about this move is that Egbuka has the ability to play multiple roles at the next level, which would allow the Texans to get creative in how they deploy their wideouts. 

25. Miami Dolphins (8-3):

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma 

The only thing that can slow down the Dolphins high-powered offense seems to be their offensive line. They've seen their top-dollar tackle, Terron Armstead, struggle with injuries ever since signing with the team, and it could lead them to turn to the draft for help on the line. Tyler Guyton, out of Oklahoma, would fit right in with the Dolphins offense with his speed and athleticism at the OT position. He can come right in and start opposite Armstead for the time being, but he would have the upside to develop into his replacement down the road. 

26. Dallas Cowboys (8-3):

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The Cowboys secondary has its ups and downs at CB and Safety. Cooper DeJean out of Iowa can be a Swiss army knife for any NFL defense. He can play inside and outside as a CB and has the ability to drop back and play as a safety with excellent open-field tackling skills. That level of versatility is invaluable at the NFL level and is a trait that will have him as the top DB in this class on multiple team's boards. 

27. Detroit Lions (8-3):

Kalen King, CB, Penn State

I'm sure Lions fans would have liked to see one of the CBs taken above them fall here, but Kalen King out of Penn State could be a great fit for the Lions. King has experience playing in the slot and on the outside as he plays bigger than his 5'11 size suggests. He plays with a level of aggressiveness that can get him flagged at times, but I think his play style would fit perfectly with Dan Campbell's team. 

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3):

Jer'Zhan Newton, IDL, Illinois

Adding a reliable piece to man the interior for the Jaguars defense would be a big win at this pick. Luckily, my top IDL is on the board for them in Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton. Some may rank Newton lower because he is undersized at 295, but it doesn't hold him back on tape. He often overpowers offense linemen and has been a true force on the interior for Illinois. 

29. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3):

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Chiefs lack of impact from their WR room has held their offense back all year. Patrick Mahome's favorite target is, of course, still TE Travis Kelce, but that number two spot is up for grabs as no WR on the roster has been consistent enough to take the reigns of the job. LSU's Brian Thomas Jr., at 6'4, is a style of WR we haven't seen Mahomes have at his disposal. Thomas Jr. isn't just your typical big body; he has the speed to go with his big frame and could be a player who plays multiple roles for an NFL offense. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (8-3):

Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington

What do you give the team that has everything? A versatile Troy Fautanu out of Washington. Fautanu has played left tackle in college, but some teams around the league think he may better translate to the NFL as a guard. The 49ers would be able to bring Fautanu into camp and see where on the line he could fit best without the pressure that some other teams may put on him to fit one specific role. 

31. Baltimore Ravens (9-3):

Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

For the Ravens, adding a CB would be wise. They've struggled to find a long-term starter opposite of star CB Marlon Humphrey. Ohio State's Denzell Burke has a knack for making a play on the ball. Offenses would hate having to line up against a CB duo as physical and handsy as Humphrey and Burke together, as it would be exhausting. Burke's aggressive nature gets the better of him sometimes, which leads to him giving up big plays. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) :

Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

I was so tempted to go with a Georgia player here, knowing how much GM Howie Roseman has loved adding Bulldogs to his team as of late. But I love the fit of Miami's Kamren Kinchens in Philadlahia's defense too much. Kinchens' play recognition on the back end will have multiple teams interested. He struggles when asked to play a very strict role and to make open field tackles, but if a team allows him to play to his strengths and let his high motor drive his play more freely, I believe it will lead to multiple big plays at the next level. 

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