The weather has turned cold, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it’s nearly time to start thinking of sunnier days. College football’s regular season has reached its expiration date; the NFL is nearing its final stretch. With all this finality looming, let’s set our sights on, perhaps, the most fun part of The Process: the NFL Draft. It’s a season that bridges the very different worlds of college and professional and one where every collective eye from those vastly different fan bases hones in on.
This year has been a weird one for the National Football League. Teams expected to be world-beaters (Colts and Packers, for example) have stumbled and sputtered. Other squads that were expected to suck hind tit (Vikings and Redskins, for example) have played better than expected.
This year’s draft class is absolutely stacked. And, unlike in some years, teams relegated to middle-road purgatory will be able to pick up franchise-altering players from the college ranks. So while a Vernon Hargreaves III pushes for a top slot, there’s a Reggie Ragland in the middle of the pile ready to be a defensive stalwart for the next decade. This is one fun class.
With all the wordy introductory formalities out of the way, let’s jump right into the Mock Draft heading into Week 13. And, yes, even though the Patriots do not have a first round pick, we dialed one up for them – one, because hypotheticals are a hoot; two, because it ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none.
Tennessee Titans, you’re on the clock.
**Note: Draft order is from CBS Sports
Next: No. 1 Tennessee Titans