CBS Sports releases updated NFL Mock Draft with Patriots trading up to No. 1

The halfway point of the college football season is upon us as teams continue their push to the national championship. For some players, they’re also trying to improve their NFL Draft stock, and CBS Sports has released an updated mock draft — and it features a big shakeup atop the board.

The Carolina Panthers are currently in position to receive the No. 1 overall pick and, as a result of last year’s trade, send it to the Chicago Bears. According to CBS Sports’ projection, though, the Bears would trade that pick to the New England Patriots. That would be quite the move, and it adds some flare to the mock draft.

It’s no surprise who goes atop the board. However, some notable names are generating some hype as the month of October rolls along.

1. New England Patriots (mock trade with Chicago Bears, via Carolina Panthers) — Caleb Williams, QB, USC

Caleb Williams has been seen as the consensus pick to be the No. 1 overall selection since he won the Heisman Trophy last year. While he has fallen off as the Heisman favorite ahead of Week 7, Williams hasn’t wavered as the most likely top draft pick.

Williams’ numbers have been impressive as he led USC to a 6-0 record to start the year. The schedule picks up in a big way, though, starting with a rivalry matchup at Notre Dame this week in a game that could help improve Williams’ Heisman chances.

2. Chicago Bears — Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Ohio State has had first-round talent at wide receiver for the last few years, but not many have generated the hype Marvin Harrison Jr. has. He has emerged as a possible top-five pick because of his unique skillset, and CBS Sports has him joining forces with Justin Fields and DJ Moore in Chicago in its latest NFL mock draft.

Harrison leads the Big Ten with 99.8 receiving yards per game this season as Ohio State takes a 6-0 record into Week 7. His draft stock is already sky high as a big-play receiver, and he’ll look to add to his stat sheet against Purdue on Saturday.

3. Denver Broncos — Olu Fashanu, OL, Penn State

Although he would’ve been a sure-fire first round pick in last year’s draft, Olu Fashanu opted to return to Penn State for another year anchoring the offensive line. He’s now considered a top-five pick in this year’s NFL draft, and CBS Sports has him going No. 3 overall in its latest mock.

Fashanu is considered one of the nation’s top left tackles, and he’d be a talented young piece for Sean Payton’s offense. This year, though, he and Penn State have their sights set on a Big Ten Championship and will take a break from conference play against UMass this week.

4. Minnesota Vikings — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Drake Maye is widely considered the No. 2-ranked quarterback in this year’s class behind Williams, and the North Carolina star continues to impress. Depending on how the board shakes out, he could find himself going higher in the top five, but CBS Sports has him going to the Minnesota Vikings in its updated NFL Mock Draft to seemingly replace Kirk Cousins.

Maye is in the midst of another solid season in Chapel Hill, leading the ACC with 325.8 passing yards per game this season to help North Carolina come in at No. 12 in the AP Top 25. The Tar Heels take their 5-0 record into a key showdown this week against Miami.

5. Chicago Bears (via mock trade with Patriots) — Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

As a result of the mock trade with the Patriots, the Bears move down to No. 5 to take star pass rusher Laiatu Latu out of UCLA. He’s tied for fourth in the Pac-12 with 5.0 sacks this year, and his stock has been on the rise this year.

Latu is coming off a monster 2022 season in which he had 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks to anchor the UCLA defense. The Bruins are back in action on Saturday when they head to Oregon State on Saturday.

6. New York Giants — J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

J.J. McCarthy has been one of the top passers in the country this year, ranking third in the nation in completion percentage entering Week 7. As a dual threat, he’s an interesting NFL prospect, and CBS Sports has him heading to New York — which has some issues on offense — in its updated mock draft.

McCarthy rushed for two touchdowns last week against Minnesota while throwing for 219 yards and a touchdown in the 52-10 victory. As Michigan ramps up its strength of schedule, all eyes will be on McCarthy and what NFL teams think of him.

7. Arizona Cardinals — Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State

Chop Robinson is one of the stalwarts on a talented Penn State defense, and his pass-rush ability is sure to catch NFL teams’ attention. He had a breakout year last year after transferring from Maryland, and he’s seen his draft stock rise lately.

Robinson totaled 10.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks a year ago, and he’s put up modest numbers with 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack this season. The Penn State defense looks strong heading into the game against UMass, but a big test awaits next week against Ohio State.

8. Green Bay Packers — Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Fashanu is the top tackle in this year’s draft, but Joe Alt isn’t far behind him. The Notre Dame offensive line had a rough go last week against Louisville, but Alt’s upside is something of interest as teams look to fill out their lines.

Alt hadn’t allowed a sack until last week’s game, but is still considered a top-tier left tackle on the board. He’ll try to bounce back this week against USC in a game filled with storylines in South Bend.

9. Las Vegas Raiders — Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

Kool-Aid McKinstry has gotten plenty of praise from Nick Saban over the last couple years as he became a staple of the Alabama defense. This year, he’s putting up solid numbers again as his draft hopes continue to increase.

McKinstry had 17 tackles and a tackle for loss this year while adding nine kickoff returns for 54 yards. His speed and athleticism are what jump off the page, which is why he’s a constant atop draft boards.

10. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston Texans) — Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Malik Nabers has emerged as a key playmaker for Jayden Daniels and the LSU offense this season. He already has more touchdowns than he did in 2022 as part of a breakout campaign, and he finds himself in the Top 10 of CBS Sports’ updated mock draft.

Nabers has 771 yards and a career-high six touchdowns through six games this season as he became a top weapon for Daniels. He’ll try to continue his rise this week in a key SEC matchup against Auburn.

No. 11-32

11. New York Jets: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
12. Washington Commanders: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
13. Tennessee Titans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
14. Cincinnati Bengals: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
15. Los Angeles Rams: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois
16. Los Angeles Chargers: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
17. Houston Texans: Graham Barton, OT, Duke
18. New Orleans Saints: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
19. Atlanta Falcons: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
20. Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
21. Buffalo Bills: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
22. Dallas Cowboys: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
23. Baltimore Ravens: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
24. Seattle Seahawks: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Taylor III, DL, Miami
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
28. Detroit Lions: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
29. Miami Dolphins: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
32. San Francisco 49ers: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

It’s safe to say NFL Draft boards aren’t done moving around yet with some big rivalry games — not to mention conference championship games — lying ahead on the schedule. It’s shaping up to be an interesting draft in April, and all eyes are on which team will wind up with the top pick.