Michael Mauti can bring real value if he slides due to injury concerns (Photo: US Presswire)
By Connor Rogers, Staff Writer
The Jets have a ton of needs and barely any salary cap space, often a recipe for a disaster of an offseason. Although many contracts will be restructured and some completely terminated, the most viable solution will be the draft. All seven of the Jets draft picks this year are vital, from filling starting spots to special teams roles. Lets take a look at how the Jets might handle each round.
Round 1: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Jones is the best defensive playmaker in this entire draft and happens to play Outside Linebacker, arguably the Jets biggest need. Many have concerns with his spinal stenosis injury that USC doctors wouldn’t clear years ago, but he has apparently been cleared by doctors recently before the combine. Jones is the type of player Rex Ryan can let run free while the defensive line clears a path for him. Not only is he a sound tackler, but often jars the ball loose. He also plays fast, an element the Jets front seven has been missing for far too long.
Round 2: Matt Elam, S, Florida
If Elam slides to the Jets in round two they most likely won’t pass him up. Continuing with the strategy of bringing in playmakers, Elam brings a lot to the table. LaRon Landry will be very difficult to retain due to cap concerns and Elam’s style of play is very similar. His downhill strategy and big hitting nature would fit very nicely behind a cornerback tandem of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
Round 3: Barrett Jones, OG/OT/C, Alabama
Jones was a vital piece on the best offensive line in the country, often garnering less attention then top guard prospect Chance Warmack. The Jets might not be able to retain free agents Matt Slauson and Brandon Moore. Grabbing Jones in the third brings excellent value as he has the potential to be a very rock solid interior lineman.
Round 4: Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
The Jets need to move on from the Dustin Keller era and find a two way tight end. Kelce is a physical blocker but also has the athleticism to be a receiving threat in the NFL.
Round 5: Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon
Barner is one of my favorite players in this entire draft. He’s not a workhorse running back the Jets can rely on for 30 carries but his big play potential is off the charts. If the Jets want to run a west coast offense and refuse to rely on Joe McKnight, they need to find a speedy pass catcher for the backfield.
Round 6: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
Before his second serious knee injury Mauti had second day pick potential. He was the leader of an 8-4 Penn State team facing a ton of adversity. While the Jets have penciled in Demario Davis as the starting weakside linebacker, they need to bring in more competition. Even if Mauti struggles to find a starting role, his tenacity and love for the game would bring a new element to the Jets special teams.
Round 7: Meshak Williams, DE/OLB, Kansas State
Williams improved as the season went on, a promising sign for the speedy 250 pounder. In Rex Ryan’s scheme he would fit nicely as a third down outside pass rusher. He has a knack for getting to the quarterback, a skill the Jets need to find in an abundance.
Tags: new york jets, nfl, NFL Draft
Who has more control over the draft Rex or Idzik and the scouting department ? Rex could be in his final year , he needs to win in 2013, Idzik is more interested in overall team building. This draft is a Rex draft, the Jets taking defensive players with their first two picks (4 of 7 going to the defense. Jones is the most NFL ready (therefore a Rex choice) but has health risks and a limited upside. My preferance for the first pick is Answah, who is more of a developmental pick but has a huge upside. Elam is a very good value pick, fills a need, but IMO the Jets need a playmaker in the second round possibly WR’s Hopkins or Woods. Barret Jones nice value in the third round, should work well in a zone blocking scheme. Kelce is an outstanding pick in the fourth. I worry that Oregon backs stats are inflated by the system they run, but Barner is a veteran back, that adds explosiveness, and can return punts. I see Mauti and Williams as possible fits but see them as UDFA’s
The relationship between Idzik and Ryan could very well be one where if he does give Rex the reigns on this draft that’s Idzik basically putting Ryan’s career in his own hands. I feel Rex is too valuable a defensive coordinator to lose. Therefore I hope it is more of a situation where Idzik takes Rex’s input but ultimately makes the decision. Jets need value at all picks. They cannot miss with this number 9 overall pick!! Agreed there needs to be some more offence because the show that was the Jets offense last year was very very bad. Answah remind you of anyone the Jets have taken in the top 10 before? I’m a firm believer of whats on tape. JJ Watt would literally go as hard as he could every play and has been playing football for all his life, he had 7 sacks in 2010. Answah is way too risky because he hasn’t played football for very long, sure the measurables are nice but speculation is a poor technique for investment.
Personally I feel the draft needs to focus on offence as far as getting cornerstone pieces to build around. I like what Jarvis put on tape guy was an animal out there but I’ve seen reports that hes a one move guy and that spinal stenosis situation scares the crap out of me. I don’t know if I can take another first round bust especially at outside linebacker. What do you think of a guy like Warmack? 1.Replaces the seasoned vet Brandon Moore (15 yrs?), 2. the guy is considered a sure thing 3. Helps a pretty bad side of the O line in pass protection and run blocking no matter who is handling the ball back there…Basically I think the Jets need sure things not gambles based off athleticism.
Love Warmack but in this draft there are a ton of Guards that are ready to start in the NFL and will be taken in later rounds. The Jets need to maximize value and grab elite talent at premium positions with their earlier picks, such as outside linebacker or safety. I have no problem taking a wide receiver early but there is no wide out in this draft worth the selection at number 9.
Is the solution Trading Down ? I think so, easier said than done, it is about finding a trading partner. Two possible scenarios, the first is that if there is a run on Offensive Left Tackles. There are three , Joekel, Fisher and Lane Johnson, then the quality drops off dramatically. At 9 San Diego (11) , St Louis (16) and Chicago (20?) looking for an LT, I would take picks in 2014. But consider the Rams have the 16th and 22nd pick send those picks with an addional 4th round pick to the Jets for the number 9 pick and the Jets second round pick (39). The point here is that Warmack and or Cooper could be had at 16 with additional picks. The second scenario would be Tampa Bay (13) looking for a CB if Millner slides, sending a third round pick to the Jets. IMO the Jets are Phasing out the 3-4 part of their Hybrid and going more 4-3, so Jamie Collins or Lemonier out of Auburn could be your OLB in the third round.
That being said Werner DE could be a safe pick at 9, but I’m on Board if we can trade down with Warmack or Cooper and a WR in the second round , this team needs offense
If the Jets can find a way to trade back into the 15-22 range and pick up more picks that would be a dream scenario. This draft doesn’t drop off much in talent between picks 4-25 and the Jets need to bring in as many guys possible.
That’s par t of the reason I hope we can get a Revis trade done. I love Revis and wish he could retire a Jet but right now I’m ok with Cro holding down our number one corner spot. He doesnt make the greatest decisions as far as personal life but he can ball on the field and works hard and isn’t asking for 15!!!! million + a year. I’ve been hearing rumblings about the 9ers as trading partners because they own something like 15 picks? But again this is another outside shot. I think Brick is still a solid option at LT at least for a few more years(btw we need more of those kind of drafts) in the 06 draft the Jets drafted Brick, Mangold, eric smith, brad smith. .. All solid picks who have helped or are still helping the team. If Dion Jordan is there I say we have to take him but he probably wont drop past buffalo