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It is the time of year when NFL teams are clinching and being eliminated from the playoff picture on a weekly basis. As the draft order comes into focus, it will become easier to start dissecting each possibility and putting the puzzle together in time for April. In today's thought exercise, we explore which teams will take a quarterback and what happens if a team is not in love with one of the remaining options at the position.

The draft order below is now the official order based on team records and tiebreakers. There is not a No. 24 pick here, as that's the pick the Dolphins forfeited due to tampering violations. 

Without further ado, let's kick this off!

NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Alabama • Soph • 5'10" / 204 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st
Houston is a mere few weeks from officially locking up the No. 1 overall selection and securing its position to take a potential franchise quarterback. Young is the top quarterback prospect for me, but he may not be everyone's cup of tea because of his lack of ideal size.
Round 1 - Pick 2
Kentucky • Soph • 6'4" / 229 lbs
Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
3rd
I have been pushing the narrative that Seattle needs to take a quarterback this year. The Seahawks have lost three of the last four games, so while Geno Smith is a good option presently, it is not a sustainable long-term plan.
Round 1 - Pick 3
Alabama • Soph • 6'4" / 243 lbs
Projected Team
Chicago
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
Chicago is in a position to take the first non-quarterback or trade to a team looking to take one of those potential franchise quarterbacks. In this situation, the opportunity to take a potential defensive tentpole is too much to bypass.
Round 1 - Pick 4
Georgia • Soph • 6'3" / 314 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
1st
It's December, so we can occasionally play out a scenario where Detroit does not take a quarterback. What if C.J. Stroud is not highly thought of inside that building? The Lions would theoretically add a defender who can take pressure off of Aidan Hutchinson.
Round 1 - Pick 5
Clemson • Soph • 6'5" / 275 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Philadelphia has a philosophical strategy to build the roster through the trenches. Myles Murphy would be a staple on that unit whereas the Eagles primarily feature short-term options on the edge.
Round 1 - Pick 6
Georgia • Soph • 6'2" / 207 lbs
Projected Team
Arizona
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
1st
Arizona is towards the middle of the league in regards to man and zone coverage distribution. Ringo is a player with exposure to both defensive elements. He checks all of the height, weight and speed boxes.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Ohio State • Soph • 6'3" / 218 lbs
Projected Team
Indianapolis
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Indianapolis was probably sweating out the possibility of Stroud lasting until its selection. After years of chasing veteran options to replace Andrew Luck, the Colts finally take the plunge with a rookie quarterback.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Oregon • Soph • 6'2" / 205 lbs
Projected Team
Las Vegas
PROSPECT RNK
24th
POSITION RNK
4th
It should come as no surprise that Las Vegas plays one of the higher rates of man coverage in the league considering Josh McDaniels' roots in New England. Gonzalez is a lengthy cornerback with the physical attributes to excel in man coverage.
Round 1 - Pick 9
Florida • Soph • 6'4" / 244 lbs
Projected Team
Carolina
PROSPECT RNK
19th
POSITION RNK
4th
Carolina's desperate pursuit of a quarterback continues as it selects Richardson. It would be an awful situation for Richardson, in theory, if the Panthers expect him to play and succeed immediately. He needs time, which comes with trial and error.
Round 1 - Pick 10
Texas • Soph • 5'11" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
2nd
If Atlanta gets shut out of the quarterback market, the blue-chip defenders are off the board and there is a lack of high-end wide receiver talent, then Robinson may be the best option. He is a blue-chip player, but not at a critical position.
Round 1 - Pick 11
Clemson • Soph • 6'5" / 305 lbs
Projected Team
Jacksonville
PROSPECT RNK
34th
POSITION RNK
4th
It will be interesting to see what ultimately comes of Bresee's draft stock. He has battled injuries and other adversity throughout his career. Jacksonville continues stockpiling first-round picks in its defensive front seven.
Round 1 - Pick 12
Texas Tech • Soph • 6'6" / 275 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Houston has consistently had a physically gifted pass rusher, whether it be Mario Williams or Jadeveon Clowney. Wilson has the length that NFL defensive line coaches covet. Can he continue developing into the player his talent suggests he can become?
Round 1 - Pick 13
Ohio State • Soph • 6'6" / 313 lbs
Projected Team
Pittsburgh
PROSPECT RNK
17th
POSITION RNK
2nd
The NFL draft is setting up well for Pittsburgh. It should be able to fill a big need at either offensive tackle or cornerback at this stage of the first round. In this scenario, it adds the left tackle from Columbus.
Round 1 - Pick 14
Georgia • Soph • 6'7" / 265 lbs
Projected Team
Green Bay
PROSPECT RNK
27th
POSITION RNK
2nd
When envisioning what kind of player Green Bay would want to support Aaron Rodgers, one way to impact both the pass and run games, is to add a tight end. Washington is a red zone threat with insane size, but he also excels as an inline blocker who can positively impact the wide zone run scheme.
Round 1 - Pick 15
Notre Dame • Soph • 6'4" / 265 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
1st
Detroit chose not to take a quarterback, so it leans into a future with Jared Goff by continuing to add talent on offense. Mayer is a reliable, physical player who should endear himself to head coach Dan Campbell and a suddenly surging Lions franchise.
Round 1 - Pick 16
Northwestern • Soph • 6'4" / 313 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Chargers
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
1st
I am intrigued to learn what plans Los Angeles has for Jamaree Salyer upon Rashawn Slater's return. Will he slide inside or flip sides to right tackle? Skoronski has five-positional flexibility, so that at least gives the Chargers options on the offensive line.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Florida State • Jr • 6'4" / 260 lbs
Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
11th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Seattle has a potential pass rusher in Boye Mafe, but it doubles down by adding Verse. In an ideal situation, both develop into key contributors.
Round 1 - Pick 18
Clemson • Soph • 6'2" / 238 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
38th
POSITION RNK
1st
Robert Saleh had Fred Warner when he was defensive coordinator of the 49ers. I trust he can find ways to utilize Simpson's well-rounded, unique skillset. There could be opportunities to mix and match blitz packages with threats up and down the line.
Round 1 - Pick 19
Penn State • Soph • 6'2" / 194 lbs
Projected Team
Tampa Bay
PROSPECT RNK
30th
POSITION RNK
5th
Tampa Bay's future is the most difficult to predict. Will the Bucs run it back with Tom Brady or has that window closed? Are they rebuilding or attempting to extend their contention window?
Round 1 - Pick 20
TCU • Soph • 6'4" / 215 lbs
Projected Team
Tennessee
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
POSITION RNK
2nd
Tennessee does not apparently believe in lucrative wide receiver contract extensions, so it brings in a first-round rookie for the second consecutive year to stagger the financial burden while also diversifying the talent at the position.
Round 1 - Pick 21
Georgia • Soph • 6'5" / 311 lbs
Projected Team
New England
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
3rd
New England theoretically moves on from one former Georgia left tackle (Isaiah Wynn) only to select another. Jones is a work in progress, but he has more of the length that is often coveted at the position and restarts the financial clock on a rookie's salary.
Round 1 - Pick 22
South Carolina • Soph • 6'1" / 180 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Washington has invested a significant amount of resources into the defense, and that investment finally reaches the third level of the defense.
Round 1 - Pick 23
USC • Soph • 5'11" / 175 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
22nd
POSITION RNK
1st
New York needs cornerback and wide receiver help, but a run at the former leads to the Giants building a wide receiver room with Wan'Dale Robinson and Addison.
Round 1 - Pick 25
Alabama • Soph • 6'0" / 203 lbs
Projected Team
Denver
PROSPECT RNK
13th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Denver builds out its secondary with Patrick Surtain II and Branch. Communication should be clean with two defensive backs coached by Nick Saban on the backend.
Round 1 - Pick 26
Illinois • Soph • 6'0" / 185 lbs
Projected Team
Baltimore
PROSPECT RNK
35th
POSITION RNK
7th
Marcus Peters is scheduled to hit free agency after the season, so Witherspoon allows the position to remain a strength.
Round 1 - Pick 27
Utah • Soph • 5'10" / 183 lbs
Projected Team
Cincinnati
PROSPECT RNK
32nd
POSITION RNK
6th
Injuries have led Cam Taylor-Britt to get more run of late, and those repetitions will benefit him in the long run. Cincinnati continues getting younger and more talented at the position with Phillips.
Round 1 - Pick 28
Georgia • Soph • 6'2" / 238 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
39th
POSITION RNK
7th
Smith is coming off an injury so the medical evaluations will be important, but that does not stop Dallas from using a first-round pick on a player who provides the team with more pass-rush ability off the edge while giving defensive coordinator Dan Quinn the freedom to mix and match pre-snap looks.
Round 1 - Pick 29
Alabama • Soph • 5'9" / 200 lbs
Projected Team
Kansas City
PROSPECT RNK
15th
POSITION RNK
1st
Gibbs gets shoehorned into this mock draft each week because he is talented enough to be here. Andy Reid's creative nature should allow the Alabama running back to be his most effective.
Round 1 - Pick 30
Ohio State • Soph • 6'0" / 197 lbs
Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Smith-Njigba is a good route runner, and that should lead to an easy transition to the NFL. He has missed most of the season with an injury, but the hope is that he is healthy enough to turn some heads during the pre-draft process. Minnesota gets a wide receiver to complement Justin Jefferson long-term.
Round 1 - Pick 31
Florida • Soph • 6'5" / 347 lbs
Projected Team
Buffalo
PROSPECT RNK
9th
POSITION RNK
1st
Buffalo fills out its offensive line with the selection of Torrence.
Round 1 - Pick 32
Texas A&M • Soph • 6'3" / 195 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
1st
The Eagles have few needs, so it really boils down to best player available for them. I could see them trading back and gaining draft capital in the process if the opportunity presents itself.