I know --- the NT in a 3-4 D is the most critical piece of the puzzle. I know --- Kris Jenkins missed most of last year. But last I checked, the guy didn’t retire & will only turn 31 come training camp. Not to mention the fact that he is dominating when he’s healthy. Not to mention the fact that Sione Pouha proved to be more than capable as a backup. Granted, you can never have enough fresh bodies in a 3 man rotation, but at what point do you spend your 1st round pick on a guy who walks on the field 33% of the time. Last time we did that, the guy’s name was Nugent. I know --- the draft is the time to plan for the future, get young guys to learn from experience vets,……..etc. But is the NT position a real need pick now?
It's almost impossible for Kris Jenkins to play an entire game. We need someone to spell him and to groom behind him. Pouha did a hell of a job filling in, but he's also over 30. The guy will be in the league for the next couple of years, but we have to get younger on the line if we want to remain dominant on defense. Drafting a nose tackle would be about staying young and keeping our team in a position to contend for a championship.
Nugent was on the field 33% of the time? How many FGs do you think we were attempting? Most of the guys being talked about are versatile and can contribute at DE for the time being as well. We certainly do have a need for depth there, and someone who can spell multiple linemen would be a fantastic addition.
I don't think NT is a pressing need. We need some help at DE, and possibly a rotational DT/DE, but NT is not a pressing need. Pouha did a very good job last year, and now Jenkins is healthy. If there's value at NT, I think the Jets will take one. But they don't need to take one early. Though we keep checking off need after need off our list. NT is one of the few spots we haven't addressed.
What's our depth behind Damien Woody? What's our depth behind Alan Faneca/Brandon Moore? Besides Ellis (who is going to turn 33 in June) there is a glaring hole at DE. You think we have depth there?
The poster you quoted said the Jets don't have depth on the defensive line. If the Jets make the smart move, they'll draft a defensive lineman that can take snaps at end and nose. Linval Joseph has to be towards the top of the Jets' draft board.
Exactly. The Jets need 3-4 DEs more than 3-4 NTs. But if the DEs can shift inside, all the better. Linval Joseph was a 4th round pick 2 months ago, so it would be strange to pick him in round one. Everything's pointing to the Jets just drafting all defensive linemen. But why do I get the feeling Tanny has one more big splash in him?
I was thinking the same thing this morning Mack. I had an odd feeling we are going to trade up after seeing the Holmes deal. Tanny has shown in the past that if the staff is in love with someone they will do what it takes to bring him in. We know that none of Odrik, Graham, or Earl Thomas will be there at 29. I'm thinking we may move up with a team that has multiple firsts and needs more picks (seattle or san fran). Granted this is not what i want, just what my suspicions lead me to belive.
With picks and possibily Leon Washington, the Jets can move up where they need to, if wanted. I would not rule anything out on draft day because Tanny always finds a way to supprise us.
With our D, a lot of the NT prospects could see time at any of the spots on the line. Same with Jenkins and Pouha. I'm a big Odrick supporter, but Linval Joseph would probably give us more flexibility on the line, as he, Jenkins and Pouha could all line up in any spot. This is one position where we can really switch guys around to have a variety of looks and still keep our guys fresh.
We've seen this recently with Ziggy Hood, who if I'm not mistaken started out as a 3rd-4th rounder after the college season was over but picked 32nd by the Steelers when the draft finally came around. I'd love Linval Joseph. Not only his talent and potential, but his versatility at DE and NT is also appealing. Rex has used rotational DE/NTs in his defenses a lot (the best example being ngata) With our first 3 picks, I want us to go Defense-defense-OL. I'm torn over whether we should spend the first 2 picks on D-lineman or a DL and an OLB.
This happens every year. Someone is going to go a LOt higher than expected at the end of the NCAA season.... and not just someone Al Davis drafte, but a player chosen by a real GM. Ziggy Hood and Tyson Jackson are two recent examples of a players ability to play in the 34 making one team value them much higher over another. Others are going to plumet. Despite Mayock having Andre Woodson as a "first round talent" at this time of his draft year, Woodson fell to the 6th and is now out of the NFL. Proof that things are not always as they seem and that Mayock is a moron.
Throw in Jenkins' age and injury history and you know we need a guy who can at least spell him for a solid portion of the game. Even though Sione Pouha played well in his absence, he's still 29 too (even though it's a "younger" 29 because he was about 25 or 26 when he was a rookie). You build a team from the inside out, so it's definitely important to consider a NT or DE - preferably someone who could play both like Linval Joseph for example - very early in the draft. A 3-4 base DE is more of a need than a 3-4 NT for the team at this point, but it wouldn't hurt to bring in a NT by the middle rounds either if the right value is there. Personally, I see DE as the number one or two need on the team and feel a NT could wait, but it certainly wouldn't be upsetting if they brought in a guy like Cam Thomas, Torrell Troup or even Terrence Cody. Maybe some guys here can fill me in on this, but I think Sione Pouha or maybe even Kris Jenkins could slide outside to DE for certain formations
Not trying to nit-pick or anything, but Pouha is 30...and he'll be 31 before the season's over. A lot of people don't realize this, but Pouha is 6 months OLDER than Kris Jenkins.
They've both lined up as ends plenty of times. I wouldn't put it past Rex put Jim leonard at Nose for a play or two. I am so excited for the draft right now, I want to vomit. I need a medically induced Coma for the next 10 days.
Agreed. Linval Joseph does seem like a good option, especially with that rotational ability. A lot of people seem to think that you could get him early in the 2nd, so a trade down would be good, but is he still an alright pick @ 29? I guess it's all BPA, right?
