Here It Is- The Official Nudge Mock Draft 2009 Edition

Are you sure this is where I sign my contract for the Detroit Lions

Nudge 2009 Mock Draft

I’ve waited and watched on the sidelines like a cat waiting for the mouse to pop its head out of the hole. I’ve watched draft pundits and experts drop guys from the top five pick because he left the Combine early without telling anyone, to boosting that same player all the way up again after an exceptional pro day workout. I’ve watched draft stock plummet after a cornerback’s forty yard dash time resembled that of a three hundred pound lineman, only to have that player’s stock status rise up like a phoenix out of the ashes and be projected to be a top fifteen prospect.

I’ve watched quarterbacks who left school with a year of eligibility left take heat from his own coaches and media alike all saying the same thing, the guy would be a great draft pick next year. Only, that same player, after a pro day workout in which he threw without pads, without helmet and without defensive linemen trying to rip his mothers womb out of his spleen make the all important fifteen yard out throw. Now all of a sudden, that same kid, who was knocked up and down is now seen as a franchise Peyton Manning type player who will never get out of the top ten picks.

I’ve waited and watched the illogic of individuals who state that their picks are based on logic. I’ve watched linemen press two hundred and fifty pounds and if they were ten reps short had scouts tell them “Sorry kid, no contract for you.” I’ve watched running backs run forty yard dash times and heard the pundits say “Too slow to hit the whole or reach the corner, second round tops.” To seeing that same player cut an amazing two tenths of a second off his forty just a few weeks later at his schools pro day—Amazing.

Let me preface all of this by saying, I am not an NFL GM. My opinion is my opinion and opinions are like uhhh eyelashes- most of us have them. So here it is, what I think the teams will take, what I would take if I was a GM, and what the experts who get paid to do this stuff say will happen. I threw in some off season moves that teams made.

It’s all just a crap shoot. For every Colston, there are five Mandarich’s. For every Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, there are Ryan Leaf’s, Heath Shuler’s and Lawrence Philips. That’s why we all love this stuff.

The experts are wrong 70 percent of the time. Imagine if you were wrong seventy percent of the time at say, an air traffic controller’s job. “Yea, I had an about average day at work tonight Honey, five crashes, but hey at least I landed two of em safely.”

So without further ado, I present the Nudge Mock Draft 2009 Edition. Remember, it’s all about fun.

1) Detroit- Mathew Stafford QB Gawgia- I fought this pick. I went back and forth. I’ve watched this kid for years since he was a junior in High School and have been saying he has number one NFL draft pick written all over him. But why did I fight it? I figured the Lions would try to build an offensive line first and keep relying on their QB by rotation for at least another year-the stop gap approach. To me, when your building a team, you start with the O-Line first, and Detroit is definitely building a team from scratch. If you can average three yards or more every carry, you have a chance to at least compete in most games.

But I think the Lions are enamored with Stafford and don’t want to pass on the chance to take him. Can you say “The Next David Carr!” Why, because after he is put in way too early, and believe me they will throw him in there early, probably fourth or fifth game in the season, the guy will be susceptible to many, many injuries. I would not put money against it that he won’t suffer a concussion this season. And to me, that is a real shame. If he were to fall, possibly to the eight pick with the Jaguars, I see many pro bowls in his future. He’s definitely the type of player you build a team around, but you have to keep him healthy. And the Detroit offensive line has been specifically built on the motto of “let’s get the QB injured.” He’ll be running for his life.

Kiper’s pick: Stafford
McShay’s pick: Stafford
NFL Draftdog: Stafford
Walter Football: Stafford
If The Nudge is the GM: Jason Smith, OT Baylor

Off Season Moves: Signed CB Philip Buchanon, RB Maurice Morris, OG Stephen Peterman, Fired Rod Marinelli (surprising move, the guy was a genius)


2) St. Louis, Jason Smith, OT Baylor- Former tight end. He’s very fluid with his pass protection. He’s been tagged as an athletic Left Tackle with great footwork. Quality left tackles are a rare breed and I don’t think the Rams pass up on the chance to grab Smith. With the release of Orlando Pace, Jason Smith can step right in and be a starter from day one. All I have seen from all of the other mock drafts, just about each one has the Rams taking an OT. They might surprise some people and grab Aaron Curry LB from Wake “we graduate you don’t” Forest, but I doubt it.

Kiper’s pick: Jason Smith
McShay’s pick: Jason Smith
NFL Draftdog: Jason Smith
Walter Football: Jason Smith
If The Nudge is the GM: Andre Smith

Off Season Moves: Signed QB Kyle Boller, Released Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Named Sly Croom all around super stud and RB Coach

3) Kansas City, Aaron Curry LB Wake- The kid is almost like a tackling machine. He offers you everything you want at the linebacker position. Character, work ethic and a major plus to me is that he chose to go to Wake. Wake is a school that doesn’t skimp on academics. You’re not sliding there. No ball room dancing for your last semester at school, ahem Matt Leinart. What else do you want me to say about Curry. He reminds me of Keith McCants coming out of college. All over the field, wraps, great speed, sideline to sideline. To me, this is pretty much a lock pick. Curry doesn’t get past the third pick.

Kiper’s pick: Curry
McShay’s pick: Curry
NFL Draftdog: Curry
Walter Football: Curry
If The Nudge is the GM: Curry

Off Season Moves: Signed LB Zach Thomas, Acquired QB Matt Cassell and Mike Vrabel. Released QB Damon Huard, Donnie Edwards and Patrick Surtain. Named Mo Carthon International Bad-Ass.

4) Seattle, Eugene Monroe OT Vah-Ginny- Great prospect coming out of high school. He went to play for Al Groh in hopes that the former NFLer would prepare him for the NFL. He will be a very good pro, but I have my doubts if he will ever reach pro bowl status. Let’s just call it “The D’Brickashaw Fear Factor.” I have something that is blocking me from saying that Monroe will be pro bowl caliber because I was very high on D-Brick coming out of the same college and he has just not impressed me so far in his pro career. I know that the comparison shouldn’t be made, they’re two separate people, two separate players and you can’t say that one is going to be a bad prospect because the other didn’t pan out so far, but I don’t care. The Seahawks take the OT anyway, but I wouldn’t. If I’m Seattle’s GM, I jump on the Crabtree here, without a doubt in my mind.

Kiper’s pick: Eugene Monroe
McShay’s pick: Monroe
NFL Draftdog: Brian Orakpo, DE Texas
Walter Football: The Crabtree
If The Nudge is theGM: The Air Crabtree

Off Season Moves: Traded LB Julian Peterson for DE Cory Redding, signed Houshmandzadeh (spelled without looking, Hah!)

5) Cleveland, Michael Air Crabtree WR, Texas Tech- After Seattle passes on Crabtree, look out in the aisles as the Browns GM runs through the arena to scream “We like Mike.” Don’t head to the refrigerator for this one. No brainer here. Crabtree was a top high school basketball prospect coming out of Dallas’s famed Carter High School. He played Quarterback throughout his prep career. Believe it or not, some of the schools that offered him a football scholie actually wanted him to play defense for them, and they’re still called experts. So why tell you all this? Because this means that Crabtree is still growing his skill set as a receiver, which is absolutely unbelievable.

He has a tremendous ceiling for athletic ability. What I love most about his playing is inside the redzone. He is actually impossible to match up with down there. He cuts out of his breaks better than any college football receiver I have ever seen. Plus, he catches with his hands, away from his body and keeps his feet on the ground when catching. Really, really important to me. Gets great YAC. But really with me picking the Browns to make this pick I am giving Mangenius credit for possessing football knowledge, which I haven’t done since he came to the Jets from the Pats. Given the confidence I have in him, which isn’t much, he might just take Orakpo in this spot. If he does, run him out of town Cleveland (I Love That City).

Kiper’s pick: Crabtree
McShay’s pick: Orakpo
NFL Draftdog: Crabtree
Walter Football: Orakpo
If The Nudge is the GM: Stafford (bye bye Brady, we hardly knew ye’)

Off Season Moves: Named a guy named Mangenius as Head Ball Coach, should be a good move. Released WR Joe Jurevicius, signed TE Robert Royal, WR David Patten.

6) Cinncinnati, Andre Smith OT Bama- The true definition of a road grader. Loved the press conference when he declared to go to Bama and he put on the Bear Bryant Houndstooth. Starter from day one and he never, ever looked back. Left the team before their bowl game, but I have a sneaking suspicion that someone got in his ear and told him that he was going to be a millionaire in a couple of months and he shouldn’t risk getting injured if the team wasn’t playing for a national championship.

Knock on him is his footwork, but I think that he has been so dominant with his pure God given skill that he never really had a need to develop outstanding footwork. If he falls to Cinncinnati with this pick, they have to jump on him.

Then, after that, go google everyone’s press release from the Combine after all the experts said that his draft status would tank after he left without telling anyone. Write down their names and don’t listen to those guys anymore. Their dead to you, their opinions sleep with the fishes.

Kiper’s pick: Andre Smith
McShay’s pick: Andre Smith
NFL Draftdog: B.J. Raji, DT Bawstun College
Walter Football: Eugene Monroe
If The Nudge is the GM: Michael Oher, OT Ole’ Miss

Off Season Moves: Signed QB Don’t bet against me Mr. Nudge J.T. O’Sullivan, signed WR Laveranues Coles, re-signed RB Cedric Benson, placed a franchise tag on a kicker.

7) Oakland B.J. Raji, DT Bawstun- The sexy pick, the one everybody and their mother is saying that Al Davis is going to go with is Jeremy Maclin his speed, his excitement and his world class play making ability. I think Davis might wake up draft day and be all intent on taking Maclin, but the team needs a defensive tackle badly, and I think Davis picks substance over style. Not to say that I’m all that high on Raji personally or that Davis isn’t absolutely in love with forty yard dash times.

But I have a suspicion that Raji is taken by the Oakland BadBoys here at the seven pick. I know I will get a lot of flack for this prediction, I have already. But Tommy Kelly has been a disappointment and I think the Raiders D is just one run stuffing tackle away from being very legitimate. They do need receivers, but can address that early in the second round pretty easily. I’m already taking a lot of heat for this prediction. The next John McCargo.

Kiper’s pick: Maclin
McShay’s pick: Maclin
NFL Draftdog: Maclin
Walter Football: Michael Johnson, DE Gawgia Tech
If The Nudge is the GM: Vontae Davis, CB Illini

Off Season Moves: re-signed CB Asomugha, named Tom Cable as next victim at Al Davis’s creepy press conferences

8) Jacksonville Mark Sanchez, QB USC- I know, I know, they need receiver’s big time, and Garrard is still growing as a player. But Sanchez offers this team a shot at getting a franchise-possible QB and I don’t think that he lasts past this pick. It wouldn’t surprise me if there was some type of movement with this pick either. A trade possibility is a possible scenario, especially if the team that wants to get its hands on Sanchez packages the deal with an established wideout. Teams that would want to get their hands on Sanchez’s arms include Washington, Dnever and the 49ers. Don’t leave the seat for this one either.

Kiper’s pick: Brian Orakpo
McShay’s pick: Air Crabtree
NFL Draftdog: Monroe
Walter Football: Sanchez
If The Nudge is the GM: The Dirty Sanchez

Off Season Moves: release RB Fred Taylor, signed OT Tra Thomas and DE James Wyche.

9) Green Bay Brian Orakpo, DE Texas- New Coordinator Dom Capers forces the deal here and makes his case that Orakpo will fit the role of an outside backer in Green Bay’s new 3-4 defensive system. I’m not that high on Orakpo. To me he’s a high second round draft pick, not a top ten pick. He is very strong and very athletic, and maybe I’m a little biased against Texas players (I’ll admit that), I just think he’s going to be one of those prospects that disappear into the abyss ala Vernon Gholston. This might be a toss up between Aaron Maybin and Orakpo, but I see the Packers going with the warm weather player.

Kiper’s pick: B.J. Raji, CB Ohio State
McShay’s pick: B.J. Raji
NFL Draftdog: Aaron Maybin, DE Penn State
Walter Football: B.J. Raji
If The Nudge is the GM: Knowshon Moreno, RB Gawgia

Off Season Moves: Might have to wake them up up there and tell them there’s an off season.

10) San Francisco Aaron Maybin, DE Penn State- Niners need a lot of help, specifically at the quarterback position where the team has just about given up all hope of one Alex Smith, the man who was famous in all those you tube videos as the guy who handed the ball off to Reggie Bush during his Bush’s junior year of high school. Man, Smith could really get a snap and hand off, then grab a cup of coffee as Bush ran for eighty yards. Niners though need a true pass rusher on the outside and Maybin is the guy that fits that role perfectly. If the Niners don’t trade up to get Sanchez (they certainly aren’t going to trade up to get Stafford) and they do take Maybin, I think he’s a starter from Day 1 and can really help their defense. Maybin might surprise a lot of people in the NFL, call it a hunch.

Kiper’s pick: Maybin
McShay’s pick: Maybin
NFL Draftdog: Andre Smith, OT Bama
Walter Football: Maybin
If The Nudge is the GM: Maybin

Off Season Moves: Angered children of divorced parents everywhere by chastising Matt Stafford into believing he needs therapy. Re-signed LB Takeo Spikes and signed QB Damon Huard and CB Jimmy Williams.

11) Buffalo Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma State- The Bills need a lot of help on the defensive line so a DE being picked up in this spot is a definite possibility. And taking a TE with the eleventh pick is just not sexy. But an athletic TE like Pettigrew that can stretch the middle of the field is a great weapon that I think the Toronto Bills might not be able to pass up on. I’m real high on Pettigrew and the TE that Toronto has right now Derek Schouman is not exactly what you would call the type of player that keeps safeties awake the night before a game. I wouldn’t be surprised if Toronto put this pick up for sale and took maybe a seventh round draft pick in return. They might be trying to piss off all of the city of Buffalo, not just the sports fans. Burn Buffalo Burn!

Kiper’s pick: Robert Ayers, DE Tennessee
McShay’s pick: Everette Brown, DE Florida State
NFL Draftdog: Pettigrew
Walter Football: Brown
If The Nudge is the GM: Michael Johnson, DE Gawgia Tech

Off Season Moves: Released TE Robert Royal and OG Derrick Dockery. Signed OL Seth Mckinney

12) Denver Robert Ayers, DE Tennessee- In my opinion, this is where Ayers comes off the board. With Orakpo and Maybin not available with this pick, the Denver brain trust who let their franchise QB go for peanuts gets antsy and tries to catch lightning in a bottle with Ayers. Ayers has all the ability that you look for in a DE when you draft one coming out of college. The sexy pick is Tyson Jackson, DE out of the Bayou, but I think that Denver goes for Old Rocky Top. They definitely need a safety, but according to everyone’s charts, Bama safety Rashard Johnson won’t be drafted till sometime after the week of the draft, so look for them to try and scoop him up in the second or seventh round.

Kiper’s pick: Tyson Jackson, DE Bayou
McShay’s pick: Mark Sanchez
NFL Draftdog: Peria Jerry, DT Ole’ Miss
Walter Football: Vontae Davis CB Illini
If The Nudge is the GM: Rey Maualuga, LB USC

Off Season Moves: Traded their franchise QB for a bucket of chicken and a coupon for fifty percent off at Circuit City. Signed RB JJ Arrington, Lamont Jordan and the future of the franchise QB Chris Simms. Signed LB Andra Davis and Safety Brian Dawkins. Named Mike Nolan future fall guy or defensive coordinator to be fired in seven months.

13) Washington Tyson Jackson DE, Bayou Bengals- This is a tough one. First, I think that Washington and Daniel “I have a Billion dollars just give me my championship ring now” Snyder will make a major push to try and get an earlier pick to grab Sanchez. Poor Jason Campbell, after he’s released (if this scenario plays out) he’ll be playing for his sixtieth offensive coordinator in about the last six years. I also figure that the Redskins need an offensive tackle and an OG, but Duke Robinson out of Oklahoma might be a stretch here at thirteen (not for me, but for experts you see).

Oher is still available in the mock thingy and so is Maclin, so they would both be possibilities, but I don’t foresee Oher heading to Washington and WR isn’t really a need for Snyder. But with the release of Jason Taylor they have to make getting to ELI and Lil Jess Simpson’s boy toy a priority. Therefore, I am predicting that the Snyder Family Trust opts to take Tyson Jackson here, but really I think they move up and get Sanchez.

Kiper’s pick: Sanchez
McShay’s pick: Robert Ayers
NFL Draftdog: Brian Cushing, LB USC
Walter Football: Andre Smith
If The Nudge is the GM: Jeremy Maclin

Off Season Moves: Re-signed DE Phillip Daniels, CB DeAngelo Hall, signed DE Renaldo Wynn. Gave Abert Haynesworth the dollar equivalent of the Gross National Product of the independent nation of Peru.

14) New Awrlens Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State- The huge knock on Jenkins is his less than stellar forty time at the Combine. The experts are saying that he’s too slow to play cover corner in the NFL. Only time will tell on that one. I’ve never watched Malcolm Jenkins play and said while he was running on the field “man look how slow that guy is!” But what do I know, I’m not a stop watch and that’s what’s important in football, stop watches. Not game speed, I mean, you never hear about that guy Anquan Boldin ever do you, he’s super slow on the track.

The Saints would like a capable back in their backfield with the so far disappointing career of Reg Kardash-tastic Bush. But I think they look to replace a very capable Randall Gay in their secondary or shift Jenkins over to free safety. I think they look to pick up a very capable running back in the second round (ahem Shonn Green).

Kiper’s pick: Beanie Wells, RB Ohio State
McShay’s pick: Beanie Wells
NFL Draftdog: Vontae Davis
Walter Football: Malcolm Jenkins
If The Nudge is the GM: Eugene Monroe, OT Vah Ginny

Off Season Moves: Re-signed OT Jon Stinchcomb, released Deuce Bigalow the male gigolo.

15) How-Stun Jeremy Maclin, WR Mizzoo- By this time of the day, all anyone is talking about is how far Maclin has fallen in the draft. The ESPN guys sitting behind the desk are asking all of the draft gurus how this guy has fallen, what’s wrong that teams aren’t jumping on him. Then all the pundits will turn to the camera and start picking apart Maclin and saying that his stats were products of a pass happy system that spread the ball around and that he doesn’t have any experience in an NFL pro-set offense. They will talk endlessly about this.

The only thing is, they’re not saying it now before it happens. That’s the beauty of these guys (and don’t get me wrong, I love em to death in a football sense) but after these guys drop in the draft, they always bring up a knock about the kid that they never said before. How-Stun drafts Maclin, not because they have a need at WR, although I wouldn’t call Kevin Walter a pro bowler, but because the guy was high on everyone else’s draft boards and he fell into their lap. And what happens next? He will become Matt Schaub’s favorite target and probably be ROY.

Kiper’s pick: Brian Cushing, LB USC
McShay’s pick: Malcolm Jenkins
NFL Draftdog: Jenkins
Walter Football: Clay Mathews, LB USC
If The Nudge is the GM: Sen Derrick Marks, DE Auburn

Off Season Moves: Signed LB Buster Davis, Cato June, DT Shaun Cody, QB Dan Orlavsky, released RB Ahman Green and LB Morlon Greenwood.

16) San Diego Darius Heywood-Bey, WR Mary land- Teams are enamored by Heywood-Bey’s size and speed. At 6’3” 205 pounds, he does have a very quick forty time. NFL teams are in love with this guy. The Nudge…not so much. San Diego takes him because lining up with Chris Chambers and TE Antonio Gates would be a pretty good arsenal for young ACC Stud Philip Rivers. Me, I’m calling shenanigans.

I think Heywood is the bust of the draft. I’m sorry. Yes he has size and speed, but size and speed does not a pro bowl receiver make. You have to want the ball, and watching Maryland play and watching Heywood play the past three seasons, he’s never really looked like a very hungry receiver. He disappears in games, especially in the red zone. Maybe that’s Freidgen’s play calling, but I think not. Really, who knows? With my luck he’ll probably be carried into Canton with a bevy of beauties throwing rose pedals in front of him like a returning Roman Emperor. The lack of TD receptions in the college game scares me about this kid.

Kiper’s pick: Rey Maualuga
McShay’s pick: Michael Oher
NFL Draftdog: Percy Harvin, WR Gators
Walter Football: Michael Oher
If The Nudge is the GM: Little Jimmy Laurinaitis, Destroyer Ohio State

Off Season Moves: They did name Rob Chudzinski the new TE coach so they really are trying to build a winning program. And they kept their backfield in check so I guess that counts too, but not as much.

17) New Yawk(AFC) Everette Brown, DE Florida State- The sexy pick would be the Jets taking either a running back with Beanie Wells and LeSean McCoy still available. Or a WR with Percy Harvin still available. The Jets could also use a cornerback to compliment former first rounder Darrelle Revis, I don’t think new pick up Lito Shepard is going to cut it. But I think New HC Rexy Sexy Ryan goes the tried and true way of drafting a FSU defensive end. The knock on Brown is that he’s undersized at 6’4” 248 pounds of solid muscle, and that he can’t be a defensive end in a 3-4 defense, but rather would be a better fit as an outside speed rusher. I don’t get it, but there are a lot of things I don’t get. Like why do they sell ten hot dogs in a pack but only eight hot dog rolls at a time? Weird huh!

Sort of like a draft pundit saying a guy is too small at 6’4” 248. Brown’s a beast, but I think the Jets should jump on McCoy with this pick. Thomas Jones has shown the team nothing since he got there. And although Leon “Mr. Football” Washington is as great as can be, he’s just not an every down back. Other’s think the Jets should jump on Kansas State QB Josh Freeman with this pick, but he is way too much of a project for the team. This year, they roll with Kellen Clemmons and try and let the defense keep them in games. Let the booing begin Jets fans as everyone in the stadium wants Josh Freeman’s name to be called. Prepare your lungs.

Kiper’s pick: Darius Heywood-Bey
NFL Draftdog: Mark Sanchez
Walter Football: Chris Wells
If The Nudge is the GM: LeSean McCoy

Off Season Moves: Said goodbye to an unknown kid out of Hattiesburg Mississippi named Brett something or other. I think he was the one in that movie with Matt Dillon and Cammie Diaz. Signed S Jim Leonhard, got CB Lito Shepard

18) Denver Peria Jerry, DT Ole’ Miss- With this pick, Broncos new QB of the future Chris Simms, I mean Kyle Orton breathes a sigh of release. The offense is officially his to run into the ground. Next year, Denver fans will rest easy knowing that with the second pick in the 2010 draft, they will have their choice of picking either Colt McCoy or Sammie Baugh Bradford, that is if Detroit hasn’t already destroyed Matt Stafford’s bodily health. Blue Skies in the Rocky Mountains…in 2014.

Kiper’s pick: Everette Brown
NFL Draftdog: Robert Ayers
Walter Football: Tyson Jackson
If The Nudge is the GM: RB Knowshon Moreno Gawgia

Off season moves: Not again

19) Tampa Bay Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State- This year, the NFL decided to invite more players to attend the draft in mid-town Manhattan. They invited two quarterbacks, Stafford and Freeman. Stafford can basically keep the meter running on the cab outside the arena while he runs in and grabs the loot that the Detroit Lions are looking to give him. Freeman is in for a long day. He will do his best not to look Brady Quinn-like, but you know as he’s sitting there the comparisons are going to be made, and I think it smacks of malicious intent on the part of the Goodell machine.

I know the Goodell family personally and they have never been anything more than of the highest ethical standards that can be imagined. But something smells fishy with inviting more kids into Manhattan. It seems like they are trying to invent extra drama here, sort of re-create the Brady Quinn squeamish look on some future millionaire 20 year old kid’s face for all of our enjoyment. I don’t like it. Tampa gets Freeman and a three year project before he’s ready to take his first NFL snap. He has all the tools and if they can afford to sit him out for three years behind Leftwich, he could be a serviceable QB in the future.

Kiper’s pick: Josh Freeman
NFL Draftdog: Knowsho Moreno
Walter Football: Freeman
If The Nudge is the GM: What the hay, take Freeman. You’re not getting your hands on McCoy or Bradford next year.

Off season moves: signed QB Byron Leftwich, RB Derrick Ward (a big pick up, mark my words), DT Ryan Sims. Got TE Kellen “I’m a soldier” Winslow for a gravy recipe and some old socks. Released LB Derrick Brooks, Cato June, Warrick Dunn, WR Joey Galloway and Ike “Turner” Hilliard.

20) Detroit Brian Cushing, LB USC- Detroit needs offensive line help here and I still have Michael Oher available in the mock debauchery, but I think the brain trust up in Detroit grabs Cushing. I have to say, I’ve watched the kid for years especially as a force in New Jersey prep playing for one of the best programs in the state, and I have’nt been impressed with him during his college career. I know he sat at USC his first year, he has said all the right things, he’s switched positions when they asked him and there’s no doubt he has all the physical tools.

But I’m calling him a bust, especially if he lands on a horrific defense like that of the Detroit Lions. They really should be building up their O-Line, but I think they don’t start addressing those needs until the second round. They’ll probably end up doubling their win total in the 2009 season, if that’s statistically possible. You can’t double a zero get it.

Kiper’s pick: Michael Oher
NFL Draftdog: James Laurinaitis
Walter Football: William Beatty, OT UCONN
If The Nudge is the GM: Beatty

Off season moves: They fired Marinelli right? Just checking, I thought I might have dreamt that one.

21) Philadelphia Beanie Wells, RB Ohio State- No one thinks Beanie is going to last till the 21st pick in this draft. I know the Eagles are real high on UCONN RB Donald Brown cause they also probably think that Beanie is going to go way higher. I just think that the high ankle sprain that Beanie suffered last season might really hurt his draft stock come actual draft day. I do think he falls to the Eagles with this pick. If he gets this far, having him share carries with Westbrook will make for a very interesting tandem for the next couple of years and it could really be a situation where Beanie excels.

Kiper’s pick: Knowshon Moreno
NFL Draftdog: Michael Oher
Walter Football: Robert Ayers
If The Nudge is the GM: No brainer for me, roll with the Beanie

Off season moves: Signed S Sean Jones, signed OL Stacey Andrews

22) Minnesota Hakeem Nicks, WR Butch Davis’s Thugs- With Percy Harvin still sitting available at this point, all the speculation before this pick is whether or not the Vikings will grab the game changing atomic ant receiver. I think Childress will go for the receiver with the bigger frame and the thug like swagger and grab Hicks. Just give him the same jersey that Troy Williamson wore, you don’t even have to change the name, just let him wear it. How this team keeps winning games with Tarvaris is anyone’s guess. I see a lot of losses for them next year.

Kiper’s pick: Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers
NFL Draftdog: Hakeem Nicks
Walter Football: Eben Britton, OT Arizona Mildcats
If The Nudge is the GM: Rashard Johnson, S Bama

Off season moves: Re-signed TE Jimmy Kleinsasser

23) New England Clay Mathews, DE/LB USC- Here is where I wish HC extraordinaire Bill The Sweatshirt would grab QB Pat White and make him a first rounder, but I think the Pats make a move for him in the second round. Mathews was tremendously under used during his college days, but has since made a name for himself during the draft workouts.

Anyone who’s old enough remembers his father during his playing days with that terrific Cleveland defense. The Pats draft better than anyone and Mathews is that type of player that they would go after. Don’t be surprised if they trade down to pick up more second round picks and still grab Mathews a bit later. Pat White and The Sweatshirt sounds like a great reality show. Don’t pitch that idea it’s mine.

Kiper’s pick: Donald Brown, RB UCONN
NFL Draftdog: Tyson Jackson, DE Bayou
Walter Football: Rey Maualuga, LB
If The Nudge is the GM: Pat White, nuff said

Off season moves: signed WR Joey Galloway, CB’s Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs, TE Chris Baker (nice pick up), RB Fred Taylor, LB Tully Banta-Cain

24) Atlanta Michael Oher, OT Ole’ Miss- The storybook continues with Oher being drafted to protect new NFL Poster-Boy Matt Ryan’s blind side. Atlanta needs help on their OL with Tyson Clabo not filling the role and Sam Baker not living up to his potential. If the Falcons can grab Oher this late in the draft it will be the steal of the 2009 draft. Oher and Baker could give Atlanta two young OT’s that will be around for years to come. I can’t say it enough how I’m rooting for this kid.

Kiper’s pick: Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State
NFL Draftdog: Clay Mathews
Walter Football: Pettigrew
If The Nudge is the GM: Percy Harvin, WR Florida

Off season moves: Signed LB Mike Peterson, C Brett Romberg, placed the franchise tag on a punter (let me know how that works out).

25) Miami Vontae Davis, CB Illini- If Davis falls into the Fins laps, I don’t think they’ll hesitate for a second to pull the trigger on drafting him. Vontae will be a starter in Miami from day one and should be a real boost to their secondary. He’s my highest rated cornerback in this years crop. Look out AFC East, they’re putting together a team down there.

Kiper’s pick: Malcolm Jenkins
NFL Draftdog: Everette Brown
Walter Football: Darius Butler, CB UCONN
If The Nudge is the GM: Larry English, DE/LB Northern Illini

Off season moves: Signed C Jake Grove, CB Eric Green, S Gibril Wilson, re-signed Vernon Carey to whatever he wants.

26) Baltimore Percy Harvin, WR Florida- The Ravens brass give Joe”I couldn’t start at Pitt for crying out loud” Flacco a new weapon to throw to. Derrick Mason is getting older, and putting Harvin on the line with Mark Clayton and Todd Heap would be pretty gosh darn nice. I know Baltimore lost Bart Scott and that’s a huge hole to fill, but they won’t be able to resist this one.

Kiper’s pick: Vontae Davis
NFL Draftdog: Maualuga
Walter Football: Jeremy Maclin
If The Nudge is the GM: Tyson Jackson, DE Bayou Bengals (and unleash Ray Rice to become a pro bowler and make me proud)

Off season moves: re-signed Ray Lewis, signed C matt Birk (great pick up), re-signed Samari Rolle, signed CB Dominique Foxworth, signed TE L.J. Smith

27) Indianapolis D.J. Moore, CB Vandy- With Percy Harvin off the board, the team waits to address its gaping hole at wide receiver in the second round. They pick up a great corner that brings a huge plus in special teams play. Moore was a pleasure to watch at Vandy. He was all over the field and in my opinion is one of the best pure athletes in this draft. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people, especially if they let him return some kicks. The team also needs help on the D-line, but I think they opt for versatility here. Start spending your loot D.J., you deserve it.

Kiper’s pick: Peria Jerry
NFL Draftdog: Darrius Heywood-Bey
Walter Football: Peria Jerry
If The Nudge is the GM: Malcolm Jenkins

Off season moves: Released one Marvin Harrison, Peyton still hasn’t stopped crying.

28) Philadelphia William Beatty, Road Grader UCONN- With their previous pick, the Eagles addressed the need to develop a running back behind Westbrook, and with their second pick in the first round they address a need at the offensive tackle position. Runyon and Thomas are 35 years old and getting a little long in the tooth. They draft Beatty here and he becomes a fixture on their line for the next ten years. Anything else they need to do on draft day, oh yea, pick up some milk for the kids cereal. Don’t forget that!

Kiper’s pick: Eben Britton, OT Mildcats
NFL Draftdog: Beanie Wells
Walter Football: Alx Mack, C Cal
If The Nudge is the GM: Brian Orakpo, DE Texas

Off season moves: Not again

29) New Yawk (NFC) James Laurinaitus, Destroyer Ohio State- This pick is all predicated on the Giants trading with Cleveland for Braylon Edwards, which I have a sneeking suspicion they are going to do, a little bird told me. If part of this trade is this pick, then the Browns have it. But if they package the trade with their second pick and Mathias Kiwanuka, then they still have it and no longer have the need at WR. So, if that’s the case then the Giants draft Laurinaitus. He’s Hawk, I’m Animal. What you see is what you get with Little Jimmy. The typical bring your lunch pail to the field, blue collar destroyer. He’ll start from day one and make a few pro bowls.

Kiper’s pick: Hakeem Nicks, Thugs 4 Life
NFL Draftdog: Brian Robiskie
Walter Football: Brian Cushing
If The Nudge is the GM: Eric Wood, C Louisville

Off season moves: Released Plaxico Burress. If Plax had worn a holster that night instead of carrying his gun in his sweatpants….well, you know the rest. Lesson learned for all future NFL draft picks, wear your illegal handgun in a holster. Signed Michael “I could make a tackle in my sleep” Boley, Hired former Michigan Defensive Coordinator Jim Hermann as LB coach, and they showed some love to David Carr.

30) Tennessee Michael Johnson, DE Gawgia Tech- This is where the NFL starts to show Johnson some r-e-s-p-e-c-t along with a couple of million cabbages. There is a lot of people knocking Johnson, I’m not one of them. I think he fits right into the Tennessee defense and becomes a real pass rushing force on third and long. Look for him to get double digit sacks in his first year out of the box. Perfect fit for him. 13-3 is not so out of reach for this team again next year. What ever happened to that QB from Texas, he’s probably lighting up the scoreboard down there in Tennessee.

Kiper’s pick: Percy Harvin
NFL Draftdog: Alex Mack, C Cal
Walter Football: Macho Harris, CB VaTech
If The Nudge is the GM: Darrius Heywood-Bey (reluctantly)

Off season moves: Franchised Bo Scaife Texas

31) Arizona Knowshon Moreno, RB Gawgia- If Knowshon is still available, Zona stomps on him. He’ll add a nice piece to the puzzle that is the Arizona Cardinals offense. If both Knowshon, Britt and Cushing go in the first round, would that be the first time that three kids form Jersey were all taken in round one? Probably. I think Knowshon falls this far and has a very respectable rookie season. He might make 28 other teams go “Damn, we had a chance to take him back in 09’, who did we take instead? Oh yea, that Raji guy. I think he just sold me a new Iphone at the mall.”

Kiper’s pick: Larry English
NFL Draftdog: Donald Brown
Walter Football: Moreno
If The Nudge is the GM: Donald Brown

Off season moves- Signed Kurt Warner to play until his seventieth birthday. They agreed to pay for all the robotic joints that are going to be surgically implanted into his body when he turns 67 next month. Not bad for a stock boy.

32) Pittsburgh Eric Wood, C Louisville- with Wood still available, Pitt addresses this need on their O-Line. He’ll step right in and start from day one, either at center or at one of the guard positions. I have him as my top rated center in this draft.

Kiper’s pick: Wood
NFL Draftdog: Eben Britton, OT Mildcats
Walter Football: Sean Smith, CB Utah
If The Nudge is the GM: Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State


Remember, the draft is all about fun. No one knows absolutely nothing about how anyone will project in the NFL right now. So instead of getting upset or angry that your team opted to draft one player over another, stop, take a deep breath, and look at a picture of the FSU Cowgirls. It works for me. Enjoy it, Nudgites.