(Photo: US Presswire)
By Ryan Alfieri, Editor
Since watching the Jets has become more or less a chore than a pleasure these days, why not spend time watching some college football to see who the Jets could be eyeing in the draft?
If this disturbing trend of bad Jets football continues, there is a good chance that they will be picking in the top five and getting first dibs at an elite player.
Click on to see some players you should be watching this CFB Saturday:
WVU QB Geno Smith: Since his record-breaking performance last week against Baylor, Smith has put himself in the Heisman trophy conversation and thrusted himself up draft boards. Because of Matt Barkley’s recent struggles, Smith has a real chance to be the first player taken.
This week id going to be one of Smith’s most important games for his draft stock, because for the first time this season, he will be playing a defense that has a handful of NFL talent on it. Defensive ends Alex Orakfor and Jackson Jeffcoat are going to have their chance to shine on the big stage against Smith.
WVU WR Tavon Austin: Austin will be going against an average Texas secondary and should have plenty of opportunities to make plays. Austin and USC’s Robert Woods are the two top receivers in this year’s class.
VT DE James Gayle: The Hokies’ best pass-rusher is going to be tested against a solid North Carolina offensive line. Gayle is an explosive, strong man who could be a solid mid-round pick for the Jets.
Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones: Jones is one of the most complete prototypical 3-4 OLBs to enter the draft (if he chooses – he is only a junior) since DeMarcus Ware. Jones has great closing speed, length, and is excellent in coverage. The Jets need a stud OLB in the worst way, and they may just be picking high enough to get a shot at Jones.
LSU DE Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery: Of these two pass-rushers, Mingo is the man to keep an eye on. Not only is Mingo slightly more explosive, but at 240 pounds, he is an ideal candidate to make the conversion to outside linebacker. Mingo and Jones are going to be selected in the first ten picks with ease.
Montgomery would be more ideal to be a base 4-3 defensive end, but at 260 lbs, making the conversion to outside linebacker is not inconceivable.
Wisconsin OT Ricky Wagner: Wagner is actually the Badgers’ left tackle, but he is going to make the move to the right side in the NFL, and the Jets’ need for a right tackle has been well-documented. Wagner is not a first-round talent, but the Jets need to find another tackle somewhere in the draft.
South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore: Lattimore, finally healthy for his junior season, will get a chance to show what he can do against Jarvis Jones and the rest of the Georgia defense. In particular, look to see if he can get to the edge against the Bulldogs’ talented ends and outside linebackers.
Tags: jarvis jones, new york jets, NFL Draft
