Two years as usual, because the positions you take in one draft most certainly affect the positions you take the following year and help to explain the picks themselves. This was well thought out and it certainly isn't short, so before you bash a pick if you disagree read the reasoning/analysis first -> then bash it :smile: 2009 Offseason Free Agents 1) Chris Canty, DE, Dallas Cowboys One of the up-and-coming young 3-4 DEs in the game, Canty needs to be our #1 offseason priority. We really need a DE opposite of Shaun Ellis, not to mention Ellis is old and needs a future replacement. He will cost a hefty penny, but with other defensive stars such as Haynesworth, Peppers and Suggs hitting Free Agency, Canty won't be worth as much. This locks down one DE position of our 3-4 for a while. 2) Sean Jones, S, Cleveland Browns For Rex Ryan's defense to work (I'm hoping and assuming he will be our HC in 09) we need experienced Safeties in our backfield. Not only in Sean Jones experienced but I think he is definitely underrated in this upcoming FA class. He is 26 years old and has started for the Browns for 3 seasons. In his first starting season, he had 111 tackles (70 solo), 0.5 sacks, 11 PBU, and 5 INTs. In his 2nd starting season he had 96 tackles (68 solo), 0.5 sacks, 10 PBU, and 5 INTs. This year he missed 4 games with a minor injury and had only 56 tackles (48 solo), no sacks, and 4 PBU, but he still had 4 INTs. The reduced production should lower his paycheck and I doubt he resigns in Cleveland. Jones is the experienced ballhawking safety that we need to pair with Rhodes. He killed us in a game vs. Cleveland in 2006 (Oct. 26th to be exact) and I still haven't forgotten. He has good size too at 6'1 220 lbs. NFL Draft Needs: QB, WR, DE, NT depth, ILB, OLB depth, OL depth, CB I took out S as a need because that is addressed with Jones and Elam is sufficient depth. I will do the first round up until our pick as well. 1) Lions -- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma 2) Rams -- Andre Smith, LT, Alabama 3) Chiefs -- Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas reasoning: I don't think the Chiefs take a QB with Herm at the helm. He has a winner in Tyler Thigpen who came on strong and a guy with starting potential in Brodie Croyle. He needs to fight for his job, and the best way to do that is to take a player who is going to have an immediate impact. The Chiefs line is a disgrace - it had 10 sacks on the entire season. Add Orakpo and not only should the total sack number double, but the entire D-line should improve with his presence. This pick could also be OT with Oher on the board and they can move Albert inside to OG. If Herm isn't HC in 09, then this could change, but if he is I firmly believe they don't go QB here. 4) Seahawks -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech 5) Browns -- Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest 6) Bengals -- Michael Oher, LT, Ole Miss 7) Raiders -- Taylor Mays, S, USC (Huff is gone and Al loves the size+40) 8) Jaguars -- Eugene Monroe, LT, UVA 9) Packers -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State 10) 49ers -- Everette Brown, 3-4 OLB, FSU 11) Bills - Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech (could move down and take a TE) 12) Broncos -- Brandon Spikes, MLB, Florida (moves DJ to WLB for good) 13) Redskins -- Ciron Black, OT, LSU 14) Saints -- James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State 15) Texans -- William Moore, S, Missouri 16) Chargers -- Rey Mauluga, 3-4 ILB, USC 17) Jets -- Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia 1) Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia Measurables: 6'3, 237 lbs, 4.75 40 Yeah, Matt Stafford. Every pick preceding the Jets pick makes perfect sense. Stafford has been inconsistent in his career and that is why Bradford will get the nod over Stafford at No. 1 to the Lions. A good showing by Bradford against Florida in the championship game tonight will all but cement Bradford as the top pick. While the Chiefs and 49ers both could use upgrades at QB they have QBs on their rosters that they can win with, Herm is in win-now mode with the Chiefs, and Singletary will almost certainly take a defensive playmaker. Brian Brohm was considered a lock for a Top 5 pick last year...then he fell to the bottom of the 2nd round. Flacco was going Top 10 in a lot of mocks last year as well due to his huge arm and he ended up 18th - we get Stafford one pick before that this year. Regardless of whether Brett Favre stays or leaves we need a QB for the future. He can play behind Clemens and Ratliff (or Favre) for one season or until he is ready to go in and then take over in 2010 full-time. I do think Favre will retire this offseason due to his injury despite it not requiring surgery. We get our stud QB here. If Stafford goes #1, then its Bradford. Regardless, we get our QB. 2) Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers Measurables: 6'4, 215 lbs, 4.46 40 I think Crabtree and Maclin are the only WRs taken in the 1st round. I think DHB will be the 3rd WR taken and then a close race between Nicks and Britt for 4th taken. I think Nicks rides his soaring stock wave all way to April and he goes 4th, so Britt is left as the 5th WR taken and we are the ones to take him. We need a legitimate WR that can stretch the field for whoever our QB is, and Britt is that guy even though he doesn't run a 4.3 40. He brings nice size too at 6'4 which is something we need at the WR position. A weapon with a great combination of size, speed, and hands is what we add with Britt here. 3) Sean Smith, CB, Utah Measurables: 6'3, 215 lbs, 4.45 40 We will have a ton of options here at CB in the middle of the 3rd round - Smith, Byrd, (DeAngelo) Smith, Parson, Butler, and Johnson - but Sean Smith is by far my favorite one. He has great size and speed, is physical with WRs and has great ball skills. By adding Smith we have a legitimate starter opposite Revis and a great nickel CB in Lowery. Our secondary would go from terrible to perhaps the team's strength. CBs = Revis, Smith, Lowery and Ss = Rhodes and Jones. If Smith isn't here, then we go BPA at CB. 4) Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State Measurables: 6'5, 280 lbs, 5.1 40 As a junior he had 39 tackles, 7.5 TFL, and 4 sacks. He followed up on that as a senior by having an astounding 52 tackles, 22 of which were for loss (TFL), and 9.5 sacks. He also broke up three passes and forced two fumbles earning WAC defensive player of the year. He has great size and strength for the 3-4 DE position and will fix our DE problem. With Chris Canty starting opposite Ellis, Gilbert can learn under Ellis and rotate in with Ellis until Ellis retires or leaves the Jets, at which point Gilbert replaces him and we have two very good DEs starting. 5) Worrell Williams, ILB, Cal Measurables: 6'2, 250 lbs, 4.7 40 Williams stats nor measurables will wow you, but there is something about the little brother of Broncos' star LB D.J. Williams that makes me want him on the Jets very badly. Maybe it's his consistent and solid play. Maybe it's that he played his college career in a 3-4 and wouldn't have any translation issues like Gholston. Maybe it's a combination of both. His numbers are down this year from his junior year, and that, coupled with what is going to be an unprecedented amount of underclassmen declarations, will push him down in the draft further than where he should be drafted which is somewhere in the 4th. This year he only had 64 tackles, with 5 TFL and 1 sack, though he did add 6 PBU and 1 INT. In his junior year however he had 105 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 FF, 1 FR (TD), and 2 PBU. He is just a solid football player and I think he can backup Barton until he is ready to start which could actually be Day 1 since he knows the system. He and Harris could pair to make a great duo inside. 6) Clay Matthews, OLB, USC Measurables: 6'4, 240 lbs, 4.7 40 Matthews is going to get killed by 3 things: 1) His unimpressive measurables for an OLB 2) His never earning a starting spot on the USC defense at OLB and 3) Just like Worrell Williams, the ridiculous amount of underclassmen that will declare for this draft. Another guy that could be here is Willie VanDeSteeg from Minnesota who is a mean pass rusher and can be a good 3-4 OLB, but I'll go with Matthews. Matthews is an intense player who gives tremendous effort and has a great motor. He may never be a starter for us, but he brings great depth and he's the kind of person I want and Rex will want on this defense. He had 9 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 FF, 2 PBU and 1 block kick in a reserved role this year. (Also, I think Vernon gets his act together next season which is why I don't address OLB sooner) 7) Sammie Lee Hill, NT, Stillman Measurables: 6'4, 330 lbs, 5.0 40 He certainly has all the tools to be a very good NT in the pros and he dominated his level. In 2007 he had 52 tackles, 14 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 QB hurry, 4 FF, 1 FR, 3 PBUs, and 1 INT. When they post this year's stats I'll post them here, but I know he improved upon this numbers. He also saved a man from a burning building if that means anything to you - to me it shows he has some character. He won't be a starter right away and he may never be, but he is great depth at NT and gives us a big guy who can both stop the run and pressure the QB. For optimists, we might just have a diamond in the rough.
In one offseason we have sufficiently addressed: QB, ILB, OLB, DE, S, and QB. We should do pretty well in 09 with that, but there are still some needs that need to be addressed: I'd like one more top WR, a power RB to replace TJ and compliment Leon, an OT and OG for the right side of the line, more NT depth, a FB, and a blocking TE. 2010 offseason FA - no one really because no one will be available. If Worrell Williams doesn't work out then the Raider's All-Pro Kirk Morrison could be a free agent. The obvious choice would be one of the top WRs scheduled to be FAs with Brandon Marshall, Braylon Edwards, Greg Jennings, and Roddy White. The most likely out of the group to hit FA would be Edwards, and if he did he would be our #1 target. Other notable names include Cincy's Chris Henry and Chicago's Devin Hester, neither of which I would mind. For now, I will do the draft without any FA acquisitions in the 2010 offseason. Also, Coles is gone (to Miami presumably) as well as Brad Smith for WRs, and TJ is not resigned. 2010 Jets Draft 1) Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois Measurables: 6'2, 215 lbs, 4.4 40 I know after drafting Britt we have Britt, Cotchery, Stuckey, and Clowney and WR might not seem like a huge need, but I think adding another stud to the WR core would make our offense unstoppable. Having Benn who is a legit #1 WR in my book and Britt would be a Fitz-Boldin type of duo, and Cotchery for the remainder of his time as a Jet would be our slot/possesion guy. With Stafford having Benn, Britt, Cotch and not to mention Keller, he should have one hell of a season in 2010 and many great seasons to come. Benn might be gone before our pick, in which case we would go with Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State or Damian Williams from USC. I think Dez could be the #1 WR and if Stafford stays Williams could be the #2, pushing Benn down to us. 2) LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon Measurables: 6'2, 240 lbs, 4.55 40 This guy might not be a burner, but he is my favorite RB for the Jets in college football. He is big and runs with a determination that you just don't see anymore, a la Earl Campbell. Without two of Oregon's top linemen (Unger and Tupou) and without Johnson splitting carries in the backfield, I think the Oregon rushing attack will take a hit next year and Blount won't be able to elevate himself to 1st round status, maybe not even 2nd round status. Regardless, I wouldn't let him get past our 2nd round pick. Despite not starting and Johnson getting the bulk of the carries, Blount accounted for over 1,000 yards rushing and 17 rushing TDs this year. Just look at this run from this year's Holiday Bowl. [YOUTUBE]fvLobTY4UDc[/YOUTUBE] If that doesn't work, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvLobTY4UDc This gives us a great duo with Blount and Washington and takes care of our backfield. 3) Trent Williams, RT, Oklahoma Measurables: 6'5, 310 lbs, 5.1 40 My favorite RT in college. Unfortunately I think he might stay and move to LT where I don't think that will work out even though he has the athleticism to make the move. The entire Oklahoma line is graduating aside from him and it would be smart for him to leave with them and Bradford. A new QB is going to struggle as will an entirely new O-line and the whole offense will look bad, or at least significantly worse from this season's record setting unit. If he stays, and he hasn't declared yet so I think he might, he will hurt his draft stock. I don't care how bad of a season he has at LT next year replacing Loadholt or how bad the team may look, Williams is a top notch RT and will always be a top notch RT. I would take him in the 3rd this year and I would do the same in 2010. He grades out as better than Loadholt and Duke Robinson and is a mauler. We will have a dominant pair of bookend OTs with D'Brick and Trent. This means great protection on both edges for our franchise QB Matt Stafford. 4) Brandon Carter, OG, Texas Tech Measurables: 6'7, 355, 5.4 40 Mountain of a man. He might be a little scary looking, but he is an intense OG and great in both run and pass blocking. The Texas Tech won't be as good next year without Rylan Reed and Louis Vasquez, and the offense won't be as good without Harrell and Crabtree. Despite the decreased production I will still like Carter as an OG prospect come 2010. He can pair with William to give us a dynamite line at every position from LT to RT. We will eventually need to replace Faneca, but that is in a few years. For now, our line is money. 5) Kellen Heard, NT, Texas A&M Measurables: 6'6, 345 lbs, 5.3 40 Yet another mountain of a man. Heard is basically a one-dimensional run stuffer and a great one at that, which is what you need at NT in a 3-4. Between Heard and Hill learning under Jenkins, one of them should emerge as his future replacement. The 5th is probably early for him seeing as he really is one-dimensional but I value his size and run-stuffing ability. Much like everyone's favorite DT - Terrance Cody - but 10 lbs lighter and much cheaper. 6) Mickey Shuler, TE, Penn State Measurables: 6'4, 252 lbs, 4.75 40 A hard working TE that is one of the best blockers in the college game. We have a receiving threat but after Franks leaves and eventually Baker we won't have a blocker at the TE position - drafting Shuler fixes that. He is 2nd string at Penn State behind the supremely talented but supremely immature Andrew Quarless and might not even garner draft consideration. However, he is a great blocker that can catch and I'd want him on the team. We have a nice set of TEs with Keller and Shuler. 7) Rashawn Jackson, FB, Virginia Measurables: 6'1, 253 lbs, 4.65 40 And I quote: "One of the top blockers in the 2010 class, Rashawn Jackson is good at getting tough yards and catching the ball out of the backfield." We need a replacement for Tony Richardson, and Jackson sounds good to me. He is a very good all-around FB. If Favre retires in the offseason we get Green Bay's 2010 7th round pick so I will add another 7th in future mocks if that does indeed occur. Alright, all done. A lot of time and effort was put into this and feedback is appreciated. Starting line-up QB: Stafford RB: Blount/Washington FB: Richardson/Jackson WR: Benn, Britt, Cotchery, Clowney, Stuckey TE: Keller/Shuler LT: Ferguson LG: Faneca C: Mangold RG: Moore/Carter RT: Woody/Williams __________________________ DE: Canty NT: Jenkins DE: Ellis/Gilbert OLB: Thomas/Gholston ILB: Williams ILB: Harris OLB: Pace CB: Revis FS: Jones SS: Rhodes CB: Smith (Lowery at nickel)
does stafford fall to 17?????????? Most have him being picked in the top 10 with the other QB needy teams. I see your point but I still don't know... he's too well known to be like a Flacco.... he's more like a Leinart. In terms of draft position.
I dont think he falls even if Bradford, and Sanchez and pending Tebow. However I really would think that the D needs to be addressed in the first 2 rounds
I have a problem with taking a WR in the 2nd in 09, then one in the 1st in 2010. Also, you don't have us drafting 1 defensive player next year. Obviously, we have to take Stafford if he falls to us there. The chances of that happening are slim though. If he does go in the Top-10, we should really trade up around 10-12 and take Taylor Mays unless he puts himself in the Top-8 or so with a great combine. We could use the money that you have going to Sean Jones and give it to Bryant McFadden to sure up our CB's.
I'm telling you, you don't trade up to take the 3rd or 4th QB in the draft. If you are going to trade up for that position then trade up to get Bradford.
Hoping all those players will fall??? Doubtful.....most of you're players drafted in 2009 will be gone by the time the Jets select. IMO, Stafford and Bradford will be going to Detroit and KC(new GM wants his QB). Britt will fall into late rd 1, Smith...will be a rd 2 player.
I like the first 3 picks but i dont see it happening almost a too good to be true type thing.Stafford as of right now is a better prospect coming out than Flacco coming out, also i dont see Sanchez coming out cause he still needs to get better.
Perhaps the dumbest comment on the draft board this year. Jay Cutler? 6'3" Donovan McNabb? 6'2" Tony Romo? 6'2" Aaron Rodgers? 6'2" Kurt Warner 4500 yards and 30 TD's? in a 6'2" package. Drew Brees's 5000 yards and 34 TD's? 6' even. The Above list includes the top 4 passing yardage totals of the past season and a couple of QB's that have already won playoff games this year. Height does matter, but is not the end all of being an NFL QB. To say Stafford is flawed because he is one inch shorter then recent super bowl winners Tom Brady and Eli Manning is silly at best, if not down right stupid.
As you would say: That is outrageous. (Stafford won't fall to 17) Nice job taking two of my prospects too...at least you made up a somewhat original analysis for both Smith and Matthews. Sammie Hill will go higher - he's one of those small school kids that will become extremely overrated before the draft.
Brady Quinn might be a better example then. Most locked him at No. 3 to the Browns and but when they passed on him he fell all the way to No. 22 when the Browns traded back into the 1st to get him - every other team had a greater need than QB. If Stafford isn't there we could take Sanchez, but I'm not sold on him as a pro prospect.
Great names, and I'd fucking love if this happened...but it's not going to. No way Jones gets away from the Browns. It'd be a gift from Jah if Britt and Smith fell to our second and third round picks. If we can get Benn in '10, then this team probably sucked and New Guy probably really likes his gum. Same for Trent Williams, who can be a first round pick as a LT. I love that Gilbert pick. He's one of the most interesting non-first rounders that no one's talking about in this draft.
I would rather sign Sean Jones before taking a safety this year. Rex Ryan defense requires experienced and smart safeties so the LBs can blitz and even the Ss as well. Mays is one hell of a prospect and I like him a lot but we have too many need to trade up unless it is to #9 if we feel SF will definitely take one of the fallen QBs. As for the WR comments, I would too if I was reading a mock without having been the guy to think about it for a very long time and reason it out. In the 2nd the BPA at a position of need will be either a CB or a WR. With the amount of very talented CBs that will be in this draft we can still get a very good CB in the 3rd so we take a WR in the 2nd. I don't think Britt will be taken in the 1st when all is said and done, and if he is it is by the Titans in which case we take Hakeem Nicks. We need another WR this year, and there is no point in taking a guy late as the drop off in talent at the WR position is significant. Britt and Benn with Cotchery and Keller would give us a Cardinals/Saints-type of potent passing attack. Also, I get two very good defensive players in FA this offseason and 5 of the 7 picks are defense. If you can identify a weakness on the defense after the 09 offseason I have, please do and I will reconsider my 2010 approach - but I don't see one (assuming Gholston works out). There is one defensive player in the 2010 draft for more NT depth.
If he gets past the Rams and Chiefs, I could easily seeing him drop that far. outside of the top 3 most of the teams do not need a QB. The 49ers could be one. a real outside chance of the Seahawks. Besides those two, if he makes it past the Chiefs at 3, its not hard seeign a drop to 17.
Not that they will "fall" - that that is where they will go. The only guy that I have "falling" is Stafford which I really don't see as a huge shocker. I believe one of either Bradford or Stafford will fall. If not, Mark Sanchez will be sitting there at No. 17. As for Britt: Crabtree - Top 5 Maclin - Bottom 1st DHB - Top of 2nd Nicks - Top-mid 2nd Britt - mid 2nd The 1st round is going to be littered with OTs and DEs and probably LBs too. I can see 6-7 OTs going in the 1st, 5-6 DEs going in the first, and 4-5 LBS going in the 1st. Then you've got the top players at other positions like DT, OG, C (Mack), the 3 QBs, TEs, RBs, and the CBs and Ss. In the 2nd we get either Britt or Nicks and give us a legit WR to help our passing game and to replace Coles for 2010. Sean Smith might not be there in the 3rd - you're right - but I can see him there. CB is maybe the most talented position in this draft or 2nd/3rd to OT and DE. Jenkins, Davis, Moore, Lindley, Harris, Mickens, DeAngelo Smith, Byrd, Allen, Alphonso Smith, Butler, Parson, and Johnson are all CBs that I can see being taken before Sean Smith. If Sean Smith is drafted before our 3rd round pick which is certainly possible because you really never know, then one the last few names on that list I just made will be available. Domonique Johnson, Darius Butler, and Mark Parson are all excellent man-to-man CBs and I would take anyone of them without hesitation with our 3rd rounder. From 4-7 I think all of those guys will be where I have them going so they don't need explanation.
I didn't realize they were "your" prospects since you posted your mock before I did. I forgot you had their rights - I guess I owe you a royalty then. Sammie Lee Hill could go higher to a team like the Raiders who will look at his size+athleticism and crap themselves, but I see him as a priority UDFA or 7th rounder. Taking him mid-7th seems very reasonable as I don't see him climbing draft boards. If by some chance you are right, I would take Antonio Dixon despite his questionable motor. You can take a chance in the 7th and Dixon is another huge run-stuffer than could be a diamond in the rough. I still think SLH will be there when we are on the clock for our last pick.
I think Jones definitely leaves Cleveland - there really is little doubt in my mind. He wasn't getting as much PT as he wanted this season and Cleveland isn't a contender while we are. I'd also like to take away one of Mangini's best defenders just because I truly dislike him. He could form a dominant S duo with Rhodes. I think he'd like that a lot. I think Benn can be had mid-late 1st in 2010 but that is premature speculation. Dez Bryant will likely be #1 and I wouldn't surprised if Harvin went #2 for WRs because of his 40 (...Raiders) leaving Benn to us. I would trade up for him - I think he is the last piece to the puzzle for our offensive woes. We'd have two dynamic receivers and a great mentor in Cotchery for both of them. I wouldn't take Harvin, but I'd take Dez Bryant if Benn was gone or Damian Williams from USC. I agree Trent Williams could be a top LT, but you have to understand that the entire Oklahoma O-line is graduating and he'll be making a position change while protecting a much worse QB with worse weapons (no Gresham or Iglesias). The offense is going to be much, much worse from the 08 Sooners record setting squad and Williams will look bad because of it. He also isn't an LT in my opinion - he is a big mauler suited for RT and doesn't have the quickness to move laterally to stop speed rushers. He would bomb out at LT while he would be a Pro Bowl RT. For his own sake I hope he declares after the game tonight which he just might, but for now I'll say he goes back and tanks his draft stock. Remember Jeremy Perry who was considered a top OG, possibly better than The Duke, and possibly a 1st rounder for the 2009 draft? Wait, who? Yeah. Alex Boone was a 1st round "lock" too. Now? A 4th round prospect. I think Gilbert is a great pick for this Jets team in need of some youth at DE.
