The BDFL's Millionaire Matchmaker
NASHVILLE
- The Millionaire Matchmaker was an American reality television
show series on the Bravo cable network which premiered on January 22, 2008 and
was hosted by Patti
Stanger. The Millionaire Matchmaker followed Stanger, owner of
the Beverly Hills based "Millionaire's Club" dating service, as she
tried to match single wealthy people with closely compatible dates. The Mayor was a
big fan of the show and encouraged his friends to watch it. The
show wasn't very good, but still lasted eight seasons. However, Stanger must have
been pretty good since she went on to produce similar reality shows entitled
Million Dollar Matchmaker and Confessions of a Matchmaker.
Each season of the BDFL, Iron Hand acts as Stanger did in these shows to
match the best new fantasy football talent from the college
ranks with their future suitor in the NFL prior to the NFL Draft. 32
players to 32 teams to keep it simple, objective and fair. Some
years are better than others. Most of this is just a crap shoot, but
last season (2018) Iron did hit on Baker Mayfield to the Browns and Sam
Darnold to the Jets. The season before (2017), he hit on Mitch Trubisky
to the Bears, DeShone
Kizer to the Browns and D'Onta Foreman to the Texans. Below are
this year's bold predictions as Iron Hand takes his annual stab as the
BDFL's Millionaire Matchmaker.
2019 BDFL Pony Draft Prospectus
2019 BDFL Pony Draft NFL Predictions
2019 BDFL Pony Draft JD Contest
#1
- Brookside Dogs
RB - Josh Jacobs ALABAMA
This time last year, Josh Jacobs was the #3 running back at Alabama. This year, he is the first pick in the BDFL's Pony Draft and will probably be the first running back drafted in the NFL Draft which starts on April 25th in Nashville, TN. Iron Hand has him going to the Chiefs.
#2
- Gulf Coast Gamblers
WR - D.K. Metcalf OLE MISS
The Dixie Mafia stayed close to their roots with the second pick in the 2019 Pony Draft picking Metcalf who played at Ole Miss and is from Oxford, MS. D.K. is the top receiver in the 2019 draft class according to the BDFL's media experts. Iron Hand has him going to the Bengals.
#3
- Benton Bullets
TE - Irv Smith ALABAMA
The Bullets made it a Bama homer pick as predicted by the BDFL's media experts, but the Bullerino threw everybody a curveball when he went with Irv Smith over Damian Harris. Smith deserved to be drafted, but maybe not this high. Iron Hand has him going to the Saints.
#4
- Jugtown Juggernauts
QB - Kyler Murray OKLAHOMA
The Juggernauts go for the jugular by taking Murray with the fourth pick of the Pony Draft. The rumor mill has the Cardinals trading Rosen and Kingsbury inserting Murray as the starter in Week 1. If so, this could be the steal of PD19. Iron Hand had him going to the Cardinals.
#5
- Druid City Blitz
QB - Dwayne Haskins OHIO STATE
Da Blitz tried to draft Jacobs in the five hole before checking his email, but settled on Haskins who may be the best QB in this class of QBs. He only started one year for at Ohio State, but could very well start in Week 1 of the NFL. Iron Hand has him going to the Dolphins.
#6
- Black Creek Freebirds
TE - T.J. Hockenson IOWA
This guy is getting a lot of pre-draft ink, but may not even be the best tight end coming out of Iowa this season. If he goes to the Patriots, Packers, Saints, or another team that knows how to use a tight end, I could be eating these words.Iron Hand has him going to the Raiders.
#7
- Mineral Springs Grenadiers
RB - Damien Harris ALABAMA
The Grenadiers catch a break as Harris falls to the seventh pick of the 2019 Pony Draft. When I talked to Damien today in the lobby of Bryant-Denny, he said the Bears, Eagles, Chiefs and Cowboys had shown the most interest to date. Iron Hand has him going to the Bears.
#8
- Magic City Mayors
QB - Drew Lock MISSOURI
The BDFL's media experts love this pick. They think Lock could be a franchise quarterback down the road and could start some time during the 2019 season at a few places like Miami, Washington, Arizona, Tampa Bay or Oakland. Iron Hand has him going to the Redskins.
#9
- Duncanville Armadillos
RB - David Montgomery IOWA STATE
From all accounts, this guy is NFL ready. He led the country in forced missed tackles last season and runs with an attitude. The Texas Armada had their sights set on him from the beginning of the draft and are thrilled to find him at #9. Iron Hand has him going to the Seahawks.
#10
- Shades Creek Sloth Monsters
WR - Marquise Brown OKLAHOMA
"Hollywood" certainly didn't do much against Alabama in the Orange Bowl, but he was probably still a little gimpy. Brown falls under the "he's hell when he's well" category which means, if he can stays healthy this will be a nice pick. Iron Hand has him going to the Cowboys.
#11
- Altadena Dorians
TE - Noah Fant IOWA
How can Iowa have two tight ends drafted in the first round of the Pony Draft? Two words. Corn fed. Both could go in the first round of the NFL Draft. Three tight ends were taken and three players from Iowa schools, both BDFL records. Iron Hand has him going to the Jets.
#12
- Southside Cheetahs
RB - Trayveon Williams TEXAS A&M
The BDFL's media experts had James Williams ranked higher than Trayveon in this RB class, but you can't question a four-time BDFL champion no matter how stupid their picks look on paper. Good thing the games are played on turf. Iron Hand has him going to the Texans.
#13
- Western Hills Wildcats
RB - Benny Snell KENTUCKY
Snell is one of four backs in SEC history to have three consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons, others being Herschel Walker, Darren McFadden and Alex Collins. Snell is UK's all-time leader breaking Sonny Collins' record. Iron Hand has him going to the Bills.
#14
- Fairfield PowerSleds
RB - Darrell Henderson MEMPHIS
Henderson may a bit of a sleeper, but you can't question his production while at Memphis. Last season with the Tigers, he rushed 214 times for 1,909 yards (2nd) for an 8.9 per carry average and scored 22 touchdowns (1st). Iron Hand has him going to the Packers.
#15
- Fieldstown Bellcows
RB - Justice Hill OKLAHOMA STATE
"With the 15th pick in the 2019 BDFL Pony Draft, the Fieldstown Bellcows use their inaugural selection to draft Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State". Not a bad way for a rookie to make his professional presence known in the BDFL. Iron Hand has him going to the Eagles.
#16
- Mt. High Blue Deacons
WR - N’Keal Harry ARIZONA STATE
In the BDFL this guy will probably be known as Harry N. Keal and nicknamed "Dirty Harry". As a player he checks all the boxes for a Pro Bowl receiver. A five tool player...height, weight, speed, routes, hands, etc. Not bad for the 16th pick. Iron Hand has him going to the Chargers.
#17
- Brookside Dogs
QB - Daniel Jones DUKE
Jones is a bit of an oddity, but very well could be a starter in the NFL one day. Tutored by David Cutcliffe for three years, he should be prepared mentally for the NFL. He's big and I liked what I saw at the Senior Bowl, so we'll see. Iron Hand had him going to the Giants.
#18
- Gulf Coast Gamblers
WR - A.J. Brown OLE MISS
The Dixie Mafia could have very easily selected Brown over Metcalf in the actual 2019 BDFL Pony Draft. Both are from Mississippi, both are very talented and both are projected to have solid NFL careers. Time will tell as it always does. Iron Hand has him going to the Colts.
#19 -
Benton Bullets
QB - Will Grier WEST VIRGINIA
Grier outplayed Murray in their head-to-head match-up last season in Norman. He has more experience than any other quarterback entering the draft, but somehow slipped through the cracks of the 2019 Pony Draft. Iron Hand has him going to the Buccaneers.
#20
- Jugtown Juggernauts
RB - Miles Sanders PENN STATE
Sanders didn't get a ton of pre-draft hype because he played behind Saquan Barkley in State College. However, he looks to be a solid pick for a productive NFL career. He's in the James Conner category where all he needs is a chance. Iron Hand has him going to the Browns.
#21
- Druid City Blitz
RB - Devin Singletary FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Singletary was Lane Kiffin's Alvin Kamara at FAU. He's a pinball-type runner who has exceptional contact balance due to his low center of gravity. He’s outstanding in the passing game, but lacks elite top-end speed to break off big chunks. Iron Hand has him going to the Falcons.
#22
- Black Creek Freebirds
WR - Deebo Samuel SOUTH CAROLINA
Samuel racked up 210 receiving yards against Clemson last season. His true value comes as a returner where he returned four kicks for touchdowns as a Gamecock. In the slot will be his best way to stay on the field after the kick-off.Iron Hand has him going to the Panthers.
#23
- Mineral Springs Grenadiers
RB - James Williams WASHINGTON STATE
A true sleeper, the G-Men almost took this versatile Cougar in the real Pony Draft. Playing in Leach's offense, he had to be a receiver first, a pass protector second and a running back third, but this a nice pedigree for today's NFL. Iron Hand has him going to the Rams.
#24
- Magic City Mayors
RB - Bryce Love STANFORD
Love is a good case for going pro early. According to the BDFL's media experts, he would have gone in the first round of the Pony Draft a year ago, but by playing his senior season, he's fallen down most all draft boards. Iron Hand has him going to the 49ers.
#25
- Duncanville Armadillos
TE - Jace Sternberger TEXAS A&M
This could be "The Year of the Tight End". I can't remember this many talented tight ends in any class since we've been doing the Pony Draft. Sternberger has taken a long journey to the NFL, my bet is he doesn't screw it up. Iron Hand has him going to the Titans.
#26
- Shades Creek Sloth Monsters
WR - Parris Campbell OHIO STATE
Campbell has 4.31 speed with a ton of pure athletic ability.. He's a lot like former Buckeye Curtis Samuel, a second-round pick by Carolina in 2017. Parris has good hands and lots of upside, though he needs work on the deep balls. Iron Hand has him going to the Steelers.
#27
- Altadena Dorians
QB - Ryan Finley NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Here is another player who lowered his draft position by coming back for his senior season. He probably could have been the third, or fourth, QB taken in last year's draft, he will probably fall to fifth, or sixth, this time around. Iron Hand has him going to the Ravens.
#28
- Southside Cheetahs
WR - Kelvin Harmon NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Harmon is a polarizing pick. Scouts either love him and have him high on the list, or dislike him and have him buried in the list of many receivers in this class. He makes this list because Gil Brandt had him as his #8 receiver in this draft. Iron Hand has him going to the Jaguars.
#29
- Western Hills Wildcats
WR - Mecole Hardman GEORGIA
After seeing this guy in person for two years in a row, there is no way we could leave him off this list. He didn't show up as a high pick in a lot of mock drafts we researched, but I think time will tell everybody missed on him. Iron Hand has him going to the Vikings.
#30
- Fairfield PowerSleds
WR - Riley Ridley GEORGIA
Personally, I think Hardman, Riley, Nauta, Michel, Chubb Swift, Wims, Godwin and Holyfield made Fromm look a hell of a lot better than he actually is the past two seasons. We'll see what happens without all this talent in Athens. Iron Hand has him going to the Broncos.
#30
- Fieldstown Bellcows
WR - Hakeem Butler IOWA STATE
Matt Campbell is winning with talent at ISU. Montgomery and Butler are proof. Butler is a big-bodied, long-armed power forward type receiver who is a catch-and-run monster. His size and explosiveness landed him on the list. Iron Hand has him going to the Lions.
#32
- Mt. High Blue Deacons
WR - Andy Isabella MASSACHUSETTS
We couldn't keep the All-American off the list. Undersized but exceptionally athletic, Isabella has the quickness to separate underneath and he is one of the fastest players in this draft class. Think Welker, Edleman, Amendola, Kupp. Iron Hand has him going to the Patriots.