USA Today

● By Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

Accuracy: 5.05%972nd Place
An NFL mock draft constructed in January can only go so far in accurately predicting what will transpire in April. Even the full first-round order won't be set until after the Super Bowl. The pre-draft process – from the Senior Bowl to the scouting combine and pro days – will further shape the work already done by scouts and front offices. More importantly, however, is that team needs and assets will be radically restructured by free agency deals and trades.  Consider this, then, a snapshot of where things stand for teams with the regular season complete. For the first time in the common draft era (starting in 1967), the Chicago Bears will hold the top overall pick. That and the Miami Dolphins' lack of a first-round choice after being penalized for tampering are just two of the surprising wrinkles already evident this early in the process.

Top Players Not Included

These players appear in the top 31 of our

Consensus Big Board

, but do not show up in this mock.