Kiper's got: 1 Detroit Matthew Stafford QB Georgia
What Walter Football Say’s: Stafford's arm is much more powerful than Sanchez's, so he presents the Lions with more upside. Also, Stafford has much more starting experience than Sanchez. After going 0-16, the Lions can't afford to whiff here, and taking a signal caller with one real year of starting experience is really risky.
Kiper's got: 2 St. Louis Andre Smith OT Alabama
What Walter Football Say’s: It looks like this is going to come down to Andre Smith and ene Monroe. Steve Spagnuolo said in his introductory press conference that he wants to really emphasize the running game. Also, Orlando Pace is still under contract for three more years. I don't know if he'll last that long, but he'll at least be back for 2009. If the Rams take Monroe, what are they going to do with two left tackles? Smith makes more sense because he can man the right side until Pace's tenure in St. Louis is finished.
What Walter Football Say’s: This isn't as much of a lock as Matt Stafford going first or the Seahawks taking Michael Crabtree, but I think there's a pretty good chance that the Chiefs select Mark Sanchez. A new regime usually means a new quarterback, and Sanchez is way too talented to pass up. Some may argue that new general manager Scott Pioli has never taken a quarterback this high. That may be true, but it's fairly obvious why - he had Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady in New England. Why would he use a first-rounder on a signal caller?
Kiper's got: 5 Cleveland Aaron Curry LB Wake Forest
ene Monroe or Michael Oher to line up on the other side of the line from Joe Thomas. Establishing a running game for Jamal Lewis is more important. Look for Cleveland to address their defensive needs in free agency and take another offensive lineman.
What Walter Football Say’s:With the hiring of Eric Mangini and the continued use of the 3-4 defense, it looks like this selection will come down to one of three players: Brian Orakpo, Aaron Curry or Everette Brown. The Browns need help throughout their linebacking corps, so either one of the three would make sense. I'm saying it'll be Curry, who will be an instant upgrade in the middle of the 3-4. Orakpo didn't play well in the Doritos Fiesta Bowl, while Brown at No. 5 will be a bit of a reach unless he blows everyone away at the Combine
What Walter Football Say’s: See’s him dropping to number 8 with jacksonville
What the Nudge Say’s: Way over rated. I’ve watched just about every college game this kid has played and I still don’t know what the Hell all the hype is about. (If you go by The Cardinal Rule of Nudge Draft Analysis) that statement adds up to be that this kid will wind up having the best pro career of anyone. Since I am sleeping on this kid’s ability, that usually means he’ll be a perennial Pro Bowler.
What Walter Football Say’s: Dropping to 17 with the Jets. I definitely agree with Walter and not with Kiper on this one.
Kiper's got: 11 Buffalo Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma St.
What the Nudge Say’s: Excellant player. Played on an explosive offense. But no way is going this high, no way. I see Pettigrew on the board going into the second round. Buffalo needs a speed rusher off of the edge. I bet they take Orakpo here. No way you waste an eleventh pick on a TE, but hey it is Buffalo we're talking about.
What Walter Football Say’s: Same. He sees pettigrew falling to 24 with the Falcons.
What the Nudge Say’s: I watched a lot of BC football, wasn’t impressed with this kid. But everyone is talking about how great he is, so there must be something there. Denver jumps on my number one RB prospect and Nudge 2008 Pre-Season Heisman hopeful LeSean McCoy here. No one is talking about LeSean right now. Wait.
What Walter Football Say’s: Rey Maualuga. Josh McDaniels was just hired as the head coach, and he brought on Mike Nolan as his defensive coordinator. Nolan will implement his 3-4 defense, meaning the Broncos will be busy scouring for the right personnel to fit that scheme in the next two drafts. They can start by selecting Rey Maualuga, the top pure 3-4 inside linebacker on the board. Maybe he can help the team rank outside the bottom five in defense for the first time in ages.
Kiper's got: 13 Washington Brian Orakpo DE Texas
What the Nudge Say’s: Over rated, but hey, I’ve always hated Tex-Ass so what do I know. Orakpo will be drafted high no matter what. Everyone loves Tex-Ass. The guy can probably go to the combine and get a 3 on the Wonderlic and everyone will say what great shoes he was wearing to the test.
What Walter Football Say’s: Eben Britton, OT, Arizona. The Redskins have major problems at right tackle. Jon Jansen, who turns 33 in January, is playing on his last legs. Jansen will be back with the team, but it's clear that Washington will be looking for a major upgrade at the position. Eben Britton would fit in well on the right side, and could potentially slide over to the blind side once Samuels' time is up.
Nudgette Ashley Simpson showing that she can do whatever her sister can
What the Nudge Say’s: (Flat Out Player) I love this kid. Major upside. Swagger and poise that a CB needs. Plays hard, excellent closing speed, makes big plays. I don’t see him dropping this far, and I definitely don’t think he should be taken after Jenkins. Don't sleep on Vontae, he might be the steal of the draft.
What Walter Football Say’s: James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State. Thanks to Jonathan Vilma's recent arrest, the Saints will have better luck retaining him. There was no alcohol involved, so it's clear that Vilma wasn't training to be Cedric Benson's disciple, but teams could hesitate to offer the stud linebacker a massive contract. New Orleans will have to wait until the free agency period begins to re-sign Vilma. If they manage to do that, they can move him over to weakside linebacker and draft James Lauriniaitis to man the middle. The Saints could also keep Vilma in the middle and have Laurinaitis on the weak side. Either way, there's a good chance New Orleans goes with the Ohio State defender.
What the Nudge Say’s: What you get is what you see: FSU speed DE with strength. I like this guy. But I don’t think How-Stun spends a pick on a DE. They need to get Shaub some weapons. Look for Harvin if available or Maclin
What Walter Football Say’s: William Moore, S, Missouri. This could be a spot where the Texans trade down. William Moore hasn't exactly been lighting it up at the Senior Bowl, as other safeties are starting to close in on him. Any team desperate to obtain Chris Wells or Knowshon Moreno could move up to this selection. Either way, there's a good chance that the Texans land William Moore. Houston's secondary has been an abomination for years and has always missed a ball-hawking leader. Moore can be that guy. Malcolm Jenkins is also a major option if Dunta Robinson is let go.
What the Nudge Say’s: (Flat Out Player) What? Does Kiper know something about LT that we don’t know. Is LT done in Sandy Dog? I don’t think so. I’ve been following Knowshon since he was a junior in Joysey HS. He actually played the fullback position in a wing-T system. This is a guy that I project will do very well in the Big Show. Will he be the next LT? No way. Shifty runner, great breaks through the hole. Good hands out of the backfield. Makes tacklers miss. A wee bit small. I don't care what they are saying in San Diego about doing what's best for the team, they're not getting rid of LT, now way.
Nudgette Bianca Beauchamp
Kiper's got: 17 New York Jets Percy Harvin WR Florida
What the Nudge Say’s: (Player of all Players) I love this kid. Speed, excitement, hands, agility. I’m going so far as saying that this kid could carry the ball out of the backfield for four or five plays in the big show. This is the perfect receiver for the bubble screen pass in the NFL. But there’s no way he drops this far. I think The Jets definitely take a defensive player with Rexy calling the shots on the sideline. GM Mike Tannenbaum is going to let Rexy get a D prospect in this pick (if they don’t trade way up for Stafford which I think they should). I’m predicting D.J. Moore CB Vanderbilt. He’ll help out on Special teams and give them another CB with Revis. That’s all assuming that Maualuga is off the board at this point.
What Walter Football Say’s: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State. A few days prior to the Jets-49ers game, I wrote a short column for USA Today's Sports Weekly, opining that Shaun Hill was a great fantasy start that weekend. My reasoning was that the Jets gave out 240-yard passing performances like candy on Halloween. Hill went on to throw for 285 yards and two touchdowns. That's one of about 5,000 examples that proves the Jets desperately need corner help
Trade Away the Pick Possibility: 50% (I’m saying strong to quite strong)
Kiper's got: 18 Chicago Tyson Jackson DE LSU
What the Nudge Say’s: Not sold on him. The Bayou Bengals D disappeared to much this year. I don’t have a lot of confidence in Tyson Jackson. Da bears let Kevin Jones go and pick up a RB here, especially if LeSean is still on the board. Now that would be exciting seeing LeSean play in Chicago.
It sounds weird to say this, but the Bears need help at defensive end. Prior to playing the Rams, who count more as a Big XII team than an NFL squad, starters Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye had just five combined sacks in 10 games. Mark Anderson, meanwhile, recorded only one sack. Chicago needs to upgrade its pass rush. Everyone talks about Michael Johnson not performing up to his physical talents, but the athletic end recorded 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven passes broken up.
What the Nudge Say’s: Ladies and gentlemen, introducing your next JaMarcus Russell. This kid is 6'6" with all the physical tools. I just don’t think he makes the right decisions. He has trouble reading defenses and he played in the Big twelve for Christmas Sake. He faced zero defensive competition this past year. I’m just not sold on him. He’ll never be more than a second stringer. TB is going to go after a linebacker here (Laurinaitis) or Oher if he’s still on the board (depending on his Wonderlic).
Kiper's got: 20 Detroit (from Dallas) Rey Maualuga LB USC
What the Nudge Say’s: (Flat Out Player) Love this kid. Heart and soul player that was at the center of one of the best defensive units that I have ever seen. Pro Bowler for many years to come. Reminds me of a much better Tatupu. If Detroit can get their hands on him this high he’s a steal.
Kiper's got: 21 Philadelphia Chris "Beanie" Wells RB Ohio St.
What Walter Football Say’s: Alex Mack, C, California With Brent Celek's 10-catch performance in the NFC Championship, Andy Reid can focus on upgrading the offensive line in the first round.Alex Mack is the top lineman on the board. As Matt McGuire pointed out in his outstanding 2009 Senior Bowl Updates, Mack has distanced himself from Max Unger in terms of being the No. 1 center on the board. Center is not a weakness for the Eagles, but it's certainly not a strength. Getting a potential All-Pro like Mack would really bolster Philadelphia's pedestrian rushing attack - assuming Big Red actually decides to run the ball.
Trade Away the Pick Possibility: Nil
Kiper's got: 22 Minnesota Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina
What Walter Football Say’s: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. I really want to give the Vikings an offensive tackle, but with all of the top-tier players at that position off the board, Minnesota could look to address its second greatest need, which is cornerback. Cedric Griffin has had an up-and-down season, and Minnesota simply needs more consistency in its defensive backfield.
This is also another spot where Josh Freeman will be considered. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Minnesota went that direction in an effort to find an upgrade for the horrendous Tarvaris Jackson.
Kiper's got: 23 New England Brian Cushing LB USC
What the Nudge Say’s: I’m not sold on Cushing. I love this kid, but there’s something there that I don’t think he’s going to project well in the NFL. He’s not fast enough. I think his deficiencies were masked because of the quality of players around him. Had one Hell of a high school career though. But, if he is drafted by New England here, look for him to have a Vrabel type career. Belicheck’s a genius. He can turn water into wine (see Tommy Brady and Matt Cassell)
What Walter Football Say’s: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State. Bill Belichick added a young inside linebacker to his roster last April. He may look to upgrade the exterior this time around. The Patriots struggled to put pressure on the quarterback at times (31 sacks) and Mike Vrabel, though still dependable, will be 34 in August. Something has to be done about this.
Trade Away the Pick Possibility: 0% Not likely at all
Nudgette Sarah Silverman knows where 90% of all draft analysis belongs
Kiper's got: 24 Atlanta Larry English DE/OLB No. Illinois
What Walter Football Say’s:Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State. Could you imagine how lethal Atlanta's offense would be if the team somehow acquired a dynamic tight end? Matt Ryan would be unstoppable. With Brandon Pettigrew going as high as No. 11 in some mocks, the Falcons will be very fortunate if they manage to get the top-rated tight end down here.
Kiper's got: 25 Miami Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland
What Walter Football Say’s: Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma. The Dolphins can take care of a huge hole at left guard by drafting Duke Robinson in this spot. With Jake Long and Robinson on the left side, Miami would boast one of the elite rushing attacks in the league.
Kiper's got: 26 Baltimore D.J. Moore CB Vanderbilt
What Walter Football Say’s: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri. Mark Clayton has started playing really well lately, but with Derrick Mason, who just turned 35, a year away from hitting free agency, it's time the Ravens begin developing their next No. 1 receiver for Joe Flacco.
Kiper's got: 27 Indianapolis Peria Jerry DT Mississippi
What the Nudge Say’s: Not sold on him. He played along side awesome DE Greg Hardy. And that made him look a lot better than he is. Kiper has him way high here. Maybe he goes in the late second round. If Oher is still on the board for Indy’s pick, he won’t be when their done.
What Walter Football Say’s: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss. Both sides of Indianapolis' run defense has to be addressed. Defensive tackle has always been a problem for the Colts, especially after the Ed Johnson marijuana scandal. I could see the Colts taking the best available player in terms of a running back, defensive tackle or offensive tackle.
Kiper's got: 28 Philadelphia (from Carolina) Michael Oher OT Mississippi
What the Nudge Say’s: (Flat Out Player) I can’t say enough about Oher, his life or the player. He’s got a biographical movie in his future, there’s no doubt about it. You cannot help but root for this kid. If he’s still available when Philly is up, I quit. You’ll never see another draft analysis from me again (again, depending on his Wonderlic score). Freak of nature.
What Walter Football Say’s: Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan. Brian Dawkins is adored by all Eagles fans, but the future Hall of Fame free safety turns 36 in October. Even if Dawkins re-signs with Philadelphia, the team will need to find his successor soon because he's somewhat of a liability in coverage. It's clear that Quintin Demps isn't the answer after his horrific performance in the NFC Championship. Louis Delmas has really shined at the Senior Bowl and put himself into first-round consideration.
Trade Away the Pick Possibility: 5%
What Walter Football Say’s: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah. This pick really depends on what the Giants do with Mathias Kiwanuka once Osi Umenyiora comes back. If they bring Kiwanuka back to strongside linebacker, they'll likely take a defensive end in Round 1. If they keep Kiwanuka up front, they'll choose a linebacker like Clint Sintim or Brian Cushing.
Wide receiver is also an option, but this draft is so deep at the position that the Giants can take someone like Kenny Britt or Hakeem Nicks in the second round.
Kiper's got: 30 Tennessee Michael Johnson DE Georgia Tech
What the Nudge Say’s: A lot of hype. I’m not sold on him. I don’t understand all the hoopla over Johnson. I think he drops to the mid-second round. Look for Ten-I-See to take the best available OT.
What Walter Football Say’s: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida Yeah, I know... the Titans don't draft receivers. Hey, miracles can happen, and maybe they'll be embarrassed because everyone made fun of them for not taking one last year. In all seriousness, Tennessee has proven in the past that they look for skill-position players with great 40 times. Percy Harvin would qualify for that.
Kiper's got: 31 Arizona LeSean McCoy RB Pittsburgh
What the Nudge Say’s: (Flat Out Player) I love this kid. I tried to think of another RB prospect over the past five years that I have rated higher than McCoy. The three that I came up with are McFadden, Adrian Peterson and Reggie Bush, that’s it. I put McCoy up there with all of them. He’s the type of player that get’s teams to the Super Bowl. Look, he doesn’t have the stats, but that’s because he only played at Pitt for two years, and he carried that horrible team. He hasn’t even got started yet. Shifty-ness, speed, breaks through the holes, this kid does it all. If I’m an NFL GM, I’m taking him with the second pick, no doubt. But there’s no way he drops this far for either Pitt or Zona, it’s just not happening.
What Walter Football Say’s: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh. The Cardinals were somehow able to run the ball during their unexpected playoff surge, but that doesn't change the fact that they need an upgrade in the backfield. Edgerrin James' days in Arizona are numbered, while Tim Hightower does too much dancing around.
Kiper's got: 32 Pittsburgh Alex Mack C California
What Walter Football Say’s: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU. With tons of talented offensive linemen off the board, the Steelers may choose to add the best available player to their defensive line. That would be Tyson Jackson, who will eventually take Aaron Smith's spot in the lineup. Smith turns 33 in April.
Trade Away the Pick Possibility: 0%
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