As the new year begins, this is the time when the world of college football and the NFL begin to merge. The biggest games of the college season take place as the College Football Playoff begins the three-game process to crown a champion as all eyes are on how the top NFL prospects perform on the biggest stage. For NFL teams, the draft order is cemented as the draft process begins even though all teams have been working for months identifying the top players across the country. You will notice we have quarterbacks going high in our latest mock draft. While we are not ignorant to the talk that this is not a great quarterback class, there are as many as five teams picking inside the top ten that could be looking at the position. What history has taught us is quarterbacks have the most potential to shoot up draft boards especially as coaches get involved late in the process. Teams are more likely to reach for a player at quarterback than any other position. Few players are more polarizing than Deshaun Watson. While Watson has had an inconsistent season, he has put a lot of great football on tape over the course of his career. There will be a team likely picking high in the draft that will be willing to bet they can correct Watson's mistakes. The order is based on where teams stand as of now and will continue to be updated as games are completed. We will continue to update the picks as the draft order becomes final. Click the arrow on the right side of the above image to see Heavy's New Year's NFL mock draft. (Getty)
No. 10 Buffalo Bills: LB/S Jabrill Peppers
School: Michigan
Position: Linebacker/Safety
Class: Junior
Outlook: Buffalo could go any number of directions, but it depends on what direction the new coaching staff wants to go. Quarterback could even be in play if Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer or Mitch Trubisky are available. Peppers is a best available player selection. He fits with the Bills defense and his versatility will be an asset to whatever team he lands with. Many teams will question where he plays at the next level, but the right team will select him high with plans to use him all over the field. Peppers was even involved in the return game at Michigan. (Getty)
No. 9 Cincinnati Bengals: LB Reuben Foster
School: Alabama
Position: Linebacker
Class: Senior
Outlook: The Bengals could have their pick of several Alabama defensive players. Foster is as talented as they come with great athleticism and versatility. He can run from sideline to sideline to cover the field but has no problem getting to the quarterback. Foster, Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams are three Crimson Tide players that will likely be battling each other to be selected as top draft picks. Foster paired with Vontaze Burfict would make for nasty combo at linebacker for Cincinnati. (Getty)
No. 8 Carolina Panthers: RB Leonard Fournette
School: LSU
Position: Running Back
Class: Junior
Outlook: This would be a steal for the Panthers as Fournette is a top-five talent. Fournette has the size and speed needed to succeed in the NFL. Critics will point to his lack of involvement in the passing game at LSU as to why a player like Dalvin Cook should be selected higher than Fournette. The LSU offense has had its challenges over Fournette's tenure, and he is likely to benefit from leaving Baton Rouge. Jonathan Stewart has had trouble staying healthy and the younger Panthers running backs have not looked like three-down backs. Fournette would add a dimension to the Carolina offense which would help Cam Newton. (Getty)
No. 7 San Diego Chargers: WR Corey Davis
School: Western Michigan
Position: Wide Receiver
Class: Senior
Outlook: Safety Jamal Adams along with several other players could be in play here. While the Chargers receiving core has played well in the absence of Keenan Allen, his injury history could have the Chargers looking for backup at the receiver position. Davis played at a small conference but is a big-time player. While he is already known about by teams, he has an opportunity to make a name for himself against a good Wisconsin defense in the Cotton Bowl. Davis had 91 receptions, 1427 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He also has the size NFL teams covet as he's listed at 6'3" and 213 pounds. (Getty)
No. 6 New York Jets: DE Jonathan Allen
School: Alabama
Position: Defensive End
Class: Senior
Outlook: Allen has been the centerpiece of the great Alabama defense. While a player like Leonard Fournette is tempting for the Jets, the defense greatly under-performed this season. Allen would join Leonard Williams and other talented players on the Jets defensive line as Todd Bowles looks to right the ship. Allen has a knack for getting to the quarterback as his 8.5 sacks show. Alabama defensive players tend to be looked at favorably come draft time given they were coached by Nick Saban. (Getty)
No. 5 Tennessee Titans: WR Mike Williams
School: Clemson
Position: Wide Receiver
Class: Red-shirt Junior
Outlook: While I think Corey Davis has a good chance to be the top wide receiver selected, it looks like Williams has the edge as the draft process steps into high gear. Williams finished the regular season with 84 receptions, 1,171 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. It is hard to imagine the College Football Playoff could do much to increase his stock given he is already one of the top prospects but a strong showing could not hurt. At 6'3", Williams checks the boxes for great size for a wide receiver. Marcus Mariota needs a true WR1, and Williams could be that guy. (Getty)
No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Myles Garrett
School: Texas A&M
Position: Defensive End
Class: Junior
Outlook: Leonard Fournette would make sense here for the Jaguars, but the talent level of Garrett is too much to pass up. Garrett is in the running to be the top pick in the 2017 draft and quarterbacks would need to go early for the Jaguars to have a chance at drafting him. Garrett is an elite pass rusher and has all the physical tools needed to make NFL teams salivate. The only question he will have to answer surrounds the nagging injuries that plagued his 2016 season. Garrett seems to have played through a lot of pain this season and only missed three games despite numerous setbacks. (Getty)
The Browns get their man at number 12. (Getty)
No. 2 San Francisco 49ers: QB Deshaun Watson
School: Clemson
Position: Quarterback
Class: Junior
Outlook: No player has more to gain in the College Football Playoff than Watson. Two straight wins and a championship could bump Watson up to the top pick. This is especially true if Watson can get a rematch with Alabama and play well against a Crimson Tide defense loaded with future NFL players. It remains to be seen what a bad showing could do for Watson who has not had the best 2016 campaign. Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage said in a recent radio interview Watson has a Senior Bowl invite. The jury is still out on whether Watson would head down to Mobile to show off his arm. Watson in San Francisco could be a great fit. It would be the first time in Chip Kelly's NFL coaching career that he would be able to pinpoint the quarterback he wants for his offense. While we have Kizer being selected above Watson based on his size, the gap is not insurmountable. (Getty)
No. 1 Cleveland Browns: QB DeShone Kizer
School: Notre Dame
Position: Quarterback
Class: Junior
Outlook: There seems to be a buzz growing again around Kizer who was part of a terrible season for Notre Dame. Kizer has the tools and put enough on tape to demonstrate he is an NFL-caliber player. He will face the same question Jared Goff faced last draft season. If Kizer is such a good player, why did Notre Dame only manage to win four games? Kizer has a few months to prepare a good answer. For now, he will sit back and watch DeShaun Watson take center stage. Kizer has benefited from Watson's missteps this season, but he could lose his top status with stellar play by Watson in the College Football Playoff. As it stands now, the Browns have two top ten picks. If they think their quarterback is going to be there when their second pick rolls around, they could opt to take a player like Myles Garrett with the top selection. Right now, I have them not taking any chances with so many quarterback-needy teams picking high in the draft. (Getty)
NFL Mock Draft 2017: Deshaun Watson Goes to 49ers