The Jet Stream by Rich Cimini March 29, 2010 10:24 AM 47 Comments Breaking out the crystal ball for draft day » By Rich Cimini Here we go again, the fourth annual Jet Stream draft watch. Over the next 24 days, right up until the April 22 draft, we will provide a periodic look at the players we deem most likely to be chosen by the Jets with the 29th pick. If history repeats, this initial list might not be such a shot in the dark. Consider the Jet Stream's initial "watch" list in each of the previous three seasons: 2007 (25th pick) -- CB Aaron Ross, TE Greg Olsen, LB Anthony Spencer, LB Paul Posluszny and CB Darrelle Revis. Outcome: The Jets trade up to 14 to select Revis. 2008 (6th pick) -- RB Darren McFadden, LB/DE Vernon Gholston and DE Chris Long. Outcome: The Jets take Gholston at No. 6. 2009 (17th pick) -- WR Jeremy Maclin, DE Tyson Jackson and QB Josh Freeman. Outcome: The Jets trade up to 5, picking QB Mark Sanchez. Okay, you can't win 'em all, but who could've imagined that Eric Mangini would give away the fifth pick for practically nothing? Because they're picking so low, this year will be the toughest challenge yet. But here goes nothing: 1. DE Jared Odrick, Penn State (6-5, 304) -- The Jets have four returning defensive linemen with legit experience, and three (Shaun Ellis, Kris Jenkins and Sione Pouha) are at least 30. Jenkins is returning from major knee surgery, Ellis has a bad knee and UFA Marques Douglas is unlikely to re-sign, based on what Rex Ryan was saying last week. It's time for some fresh blood here. Odrick is valuable because he can play in multiple fronts. He's scheduled to visit the Jets on April 5 and 6. 2. S Taylor Mays, USC (6-3, 230) -- The Jets didn't break the bank for Brodney Pool (one year, $1.3 million), so it's not like they're handing him Kerry Rhodes' old starting job. Mays was a highly decorated college player and he reportedly ran in the 4.2s at the combine, but beware: Based on what some scouts are saying, he could be the Vernon Gholston of safeties -- off-the-charts measurables, but athletically stiff. 3. G Mike Iupati, Idaho (6-5, 331) -- Just a hunch based on value. It would be drafting to a strength, but we all know how much Ryan values his O-line. 4. WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State (6-2, 225) -- It's unlikely the Jets will take a receiver in the first round, but if the ultra-talented Bryant falls because of off-the-field concerns, I could see them scooping him up. Bryant's Pro Day is tomorrow, which should clarify his status -- maybe. The Jets have good money invested in receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards, but Edwards probably will play on a one-year deal and could bolt in 2011. 5. DE Corey Wootton, Northwestern (6-6, 270) -- A Jersey kid (Don Bosco Prep) who is a borderline first/second rounder. He has the ideal frame to play end in a 34 front. He got off to a slow start last season because he blew out his knee in the 2008 Alamo Bowl, but he has the physical attributes and the intangibles to be a good one. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/je...ogs/jets+(Blogs/The+Jet+Stream)#ixzz0jbJsP4c4
Corey Wootton is a 4-3 pass rusher and that's it. ...and he's definitely not a borderline first round prospect.
You can't have too many safeties. I really do think Taylor Mays is going to be the pick unless the Jets trade down for more picks.
I have heard of MAYS being referred to as the GHOLSTON off safetys. Id rather go for HUGHES. We need a pass rusher and he is what we have needed since JOHN ABRAHAM was traded.
not really feeling much love for anyone on that list. i exclude bryant because i have no idea how cimini can have any justification for him making it to 29. even if bryant had killed a man he would go before #29
At this point, to me, it's Odrick, Iupati, Graham, McCourty or trade down. But there is always someone that falls so there might be surprises in such a deep draft.
Have to say the idea of another first rounder on the o-line sounds awfully nice. But i expect the Jets to go defense in most of their options in this draft.
So you'd avoid picking the "Gholston of safeties" by picking a 4-3 DE with no coverage ability to play OLB in our 3-4?
I could believe that and I'd add Kyle Wilson and Earl Thomas. Odrick seems like a good fit, but I'm not a huge fan because Rex has done so well both here and in Balt with unheralded DLs. Iupati seems the most likely to me because we would be getting the best player at that position in the entire draft, plus he's really a good fit schemewise AND he might be able to take over for Faneca OR Woody, depending on what they see. Graham is unlikely to fall, but would be great and McCourty falls in with my Kyle Wilson/Earl Thomas supposition in that different teams want different things in a DB so a good corner/safety may fall to us and even though we signed Cromartie, this gives us a little leverage and a little insurance next year AND Rex has said you can never have enough little guys.
Wouldn't it stand to reason that he could field a legendary defense with elite players on the DL? I'm not saying that's what Odrick is, but at some point we have to stop going on the cheap for defensive linemen. Ellis and Jenkins aren't going to last much longer, both have had their share of injuries, and as much as I like the potential for Pouha and Devito and maybe even Ropati as solid role players, none of them were keeping OCs up at night last season.
Have you ever heard of Haloti Ngata? Justin Bannan and Kelly Gregg are both extremely underrated 3-4 linemen. They don't get the credit they deserve.
Really not feeling anyone on Cimini's list. I'll trust Tannenbaum and Rex to amke the right choice. Just hope they do not trade up because this draft is deep and we could use some depth on the team.
I am personally placing a hundred-dollar bounty on the head of Rich Cimini. He's the chief punk for Newsday. A bounty you say? Yeah, a hundred bucks of my own money for the first of Gang Greens faithful who really nails that creep at training camp. LOL to borrow from Slapshot.
List 5 players that are in the draft based on Jets needs..and then claim you called it List 3 players projected to go at that spot...and claim you called it List 3 players that were projected to go at 17 and blame the former coach ...
I said it before and I ll say it again. Wooten can absolutely play 3-4 end. I said the same thing about Calais Campbell. He's another tall guy who faces tons of dou le teams.
You act like you're only person who thinks this way. Almost everyone said that about Calais Campbell. Wootton is a pass rusher, not a run stopper. In this scheme, the ends have to take on and disengage blockers - I haven't seen Wootton do much of that against the run.
As much as everyone, hell even myself may disagree... I'm not entirely opposed to this. The guy hits people like he's shot out of a cannon. Maybe his technique sucks and his coverage is about as good as I would be in coverage in a Jets uni but with some coaching and dedication I could see him being a difference maker coming off the corner. Maybe he'll split Tom Brady in half on a blindside sack. Sure, he's being projected as a first round bust due to his lack of football intelligence and ability but the thought of having a bonecrusher in the secondary isn't so bad. What troubles me though is the thought of wasting a first rounder on a (probable?) bust. If we dump Leon and pick up a 2nd rounder and Mays is still around, I'd be content with picking him up (40-50th pick overall)
