Walter Football's grade of our draft

Discussion in 'New York Jets' started by MexJetinBcn, May 1, 2011.

  1. MexJetinBcn

    MexJetinBcn New Member

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    New York Jets (Last Year: 11-5)

    2011 NFL Draft Grades:

    Like the Patriots, the Jets had to improve their front seven in the 2011 NFL Draft. While New England floundered around and made some questionable picks, New York got the job done.

    The Jets really bolstered their defensive line with great value selections Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis, assuming the latter stays out of prison. They're going to dominate the trenches.

    The only thing the Jets failed to do was find some help at rush linebacker. They could have done so at pick No. 126. Instead, they selected a dime-a-dozen running back who won't contribute much anytime soon.

    Overall 2011 NFL Draft Grade given on 5/1/11: A-



    2011 NFL Draft Individual Grades:

    30. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
    "You could argue the Jets just made the best pick in the first round." -- Mel Kiper. It's certainly in the top five. Muhammad Wilkerson is one of the top players available and fills a huge need for New York. Wilkerson has experience in the 3-4, so there are no conversion issues. (Pick Grade: A)

    94. Kenrick Ellis, NT, Hampton
    The Jets land another stud prospect for their defensive line. Kenrick Ellis possesses early Round 2 talent, but has some character concerns. The Jets have a strong locker room, so they might be able to keep Ellis out of trouble. If so, he'll be a force against the run. (Pick Grade: A)

    126. Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville
    Bilal Powell fits the range at No. 126. That said, I don't know where he fits on the roster. With Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Joe McKnight set to make the roster, where does Powell come into play? (Pick Grade: C)

    153. Jeremy Kerley, WR, TCU
    Some much-needed insurance just in case the Jets can't re-sign Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes or Brad Smith. Jeremy Kerley probably could have gone a round earlier than this, so New York is getting some good value here. (Pick Grade: A)

    208. Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama
    The Jets needed a developmental quarterback behind Mark Sanchez. Greg McElroy is smart enough to be a reliable backup quarterback in the NFL for a long time. (Pick Grade: B)

    227. Scotty McKnight, WR, Colorado
    Mark Sanchez made this pick, but I'm not a fan of it. There were better prospects available. (Pick Grade: C)

    This is even more valuable as the guy is a self-proclaimed Pats fan. It's good to find an objective voice somwehere in the media. By the way, here's New England's grade.


    New England Patriots (Last Year: 14-2) - Buy Tickets

    2011 NFL Draft Grades:

    I'm very confused by what Bill Belichick just did. Going into the 2011 NFL Draft, Belichick absolutely had to find upgrades in the front seven, yet he didn't draft a defensive lineman or rush linebacker until No. 194. Instead, Belichick spent his selections on two dime-a-dozen running backs and a blocking tight end.

    Based on the players alone, the Patriots deserve a D or possibly an F. However, I really liked two things that'll really bump up this overall grade. First, Belichick acquired first- and a second-round picks in a superior 2012 NFL Draft. Belichick smirked when discussing the latter future selection on ESPN. It's almost as if he were thinking, "I can't believe I outsmarted that idiot Al Davis again."

    Second, the Ryan Mallett pick was a good one. Belichick is going to stash Mallett on his bench for two years. In 2013, everyone will forget about the drug use. Instead, some quarterback-hungry team will think, "Mallett's been clean and Belichick likes him. Let's go for it!" Lo and behold, Belichick will land yet another first-round pick. The man is a genius.

    Overall 2011 NFL Draft Grade given on 5/1/11: B-



    2011 NFL Draft Individual Grades:

    17. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    I know you have to protect Tom Brady, so I'm not going to give the Patriots a bad grade. But I don't like this pick. I'm just not a fan of Nate Solder. He was constantly abused at the Senior Bowl. (Pick Grade: C)

    33. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
    Another corner? This is not New England's greatest need, but it's something I thought they'd address at some point in Day 2. Ras-I Dowling may have been a first-round pick had he not been injured so much throughout his collegiate career, so the Patriots might be getting some value atop the second round. (Pick Grade: B)

    56. Shane Vereen, RB, California
    I'm not a fan of this pick at all. Shane Vereen could be a good player for the Patriots, but this is definitely a reach, especially with the unbelievable amount of running backs still available. Vereen fills a need, which saves this selection from being an F or a dreaded Millen. (Pick Grade: D)

    73. Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU
    What? Another running back? Bill Belichick has been the master of Rounds 2-3, but I'm not getting these picks at all. Not only is Stevan Ridley a major reach (no one had him in the top 150); he doesn't even fill a need. (Pick Grade: F)

    74. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
    When I first heard that Ryan Mallett was going here, I planned on giving the Patriots a D. Why build for the future and continue to ignore the front seven?

    But then I thought about it, and I realized that Bill Belichick is a genius. I have no doubt in my mind that Belichick doesn't plan on playing Mallett at all (in the event that Tom Brady retires). He's going to trade him in a year or two to a quarterback-hungry team for a much higher pick. (Pick Grade: B)

    138. Marcus Cannon, G, TCU
    A classic Patriots pick. Marcus Cannon has a mass he needs to get rid of, so it's highly doubtful that he'll be able to play in 2011. If he can recover, however, Cannon will be a big upgrade on the offensive line in 2012. (Pick Grade: A)

    159. Lee Smith, TE, Marshall
    Umm... don't the Patriots have enough tight ends? Where is Lee Smith going to play? Why aren't the Patriots upgrading their front seven? (Pick Grade: F)

    194. Markell Carter, DE/OLB, Central Arkansas
    Finally, a front-seven player! Markell Carter is a project pass-rusher. I didn't think he would be drafted, but others had him in the 250 range. (Pick Grade: C)

    219. Malcolm Williams, CB, TCU
    Another defensive back I had to look up. Malcolm Williams is No. 730 on NFL Draft Scout and not listed on Scouts Inc. That's not good. (Pick Grade: D)
     
  2. Jetfan76

    Jetfan76 Well-Known Member

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    Who you gonna believe them or the Sporting News? :breakdance:
     
  3. gustoonarmy

    gustoonarmy 2006-2007 TGG.com Best International Poster of the

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    This is pretty much what I thought, (past tense).

    I can only assume that they are unsure about either LT or Joe-Mc and have a contingency plan. That or they really saw something in him.
    In draft videos alot is made of the fact that Powell has great hands, so maybe they plan on using him in various roles.
    I just hope the pass rusher we so badly need is in the wings ready to come in either from FA or UDFA
     
  4. sg3

    sg3 Banned

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    before we award Video Bill a first round pick for Mallet after he sits on the bench for two seasons....

    It should be noted that after Brady's knee injury, Matt Cassel led the Pats to an 11 win season -- he didn't just sit on the bench -- and YET

    Bill Botchapick, even with throwing in a starting linebacker Vrabel into the deal to sweeten the pot was only able to extract a SECOND ROUNDER from the Chiefs

    which he promptly botched into the noted fake punt specialist Patrick Chung
     
  5. ajax

    ajax Well-Known Member

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    Good analsysis on the Jets Draft. I'm happy with the two DL drafted but a little confused about Powell.

    Are they giving up on McKnight?
    Perhaps they see Powell as a returner & also planning to drop Wildcat ... which makes Brad Smith expendable.

    As for the WR picks, it's good backup plan to build up some WR depth since we're not sure how the contracts will breakdown between Santonio/Edwards. We keep assuming the Jets will definitely sign one of them and maybe two. Perhaps, they'll both walk.
     
  6. Vorrecht

    Vorrecht Active Member

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    An "A-" is a little generous, imo, but if there was a pass rusher Rex really liked, I think we would have drafted him. The fact that Powell was Rex's pick, pretty much proves to me there wasn't a difference-making pass rusher on the board.
     
  7. Leicester Jet

    Leicester Jet Well-Known Member

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    I'm interested in the comment about the "Superior 2012 NFL Draft"?

    Any of you college experts shed any light on this? What is next years draft class like and where are its strengths and weaknesses?
     
    #7 Leicester Jet, May 2, 2011
    Last edited: May 2, 2011
  8. Footballgod214

    Footballgod214 Well-Known Member

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    i agree.

    plus, a good OLB pass rush starts with the 3 D-lineman. First, if we can't stop the run we don't have to worry too much about rushing the passer.

    Shutting down the run and forcing teams into 3rd and long on a consitient basis is what tanny accomplished with this draft. A+

    Second, if the D-lineman demand double and sometimes triple team respect (yet to be seen), then even the ghost could probably get to the passer.

    A good pass rush is accomplished in this order:

    Stop the run. done.
    3rd and longs all day. done.
    D-lineman that demand double teams. done.

    Attack the edges. TBD
     
  9. LoyalJetsFan

    LoyalJetsFan New Member

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    How the hell do you get a B- with the following draft grades?

    A,B,B,C,C,D,D,F,F

    You apply GPA calculations, you'd be sitting at a D+

    Once a homer always a homer I guess...
     
  10. gustoonarmy

    gustoonarmy 2006-2007 TGG.com Best International Poster of the

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    Really, how so?

    3rd and long killed us time and time again last year. Cro is a FA, safety didn't get addressed, nor a new pass rusher.
    If anything I think we've taken a step back, thus far. (aside the two first picks)
     
  11. A-11 Jets

    A-11 Jets New Member

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    loyalJetsFan,

    The grade factored in trades....

    D+ would be if the player selections were the only gain.

    Also, like Leicester, I'm also curious about in the hype about the 2012 draft class.
     
    #11 A-11 Jets, May 2, 2011
    Last edited: May 2, 2011
  12. Big Blocker

    Big Blocker Well-Known Member

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    I also wonder about their views on McKnight. On one hand using the 126th pick is not all that much of an investment, but still. Going there has to mean McKnight is not being counted on.
     
  13. Johnny English

    Johnny English Well-Known Member

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    Me too. Any chance that the Patriots might be looking to bundle a package of players such as Mallett with a bunch of picks to take #1 overall and briing in Luck as Brady's long term replacement?
     
  14. MadBacker Prime

    MadBacker Prime THE Dead Rabbit

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    Manish confirmed that the Jets will address a OLB via FA.


    I guess confirmed is a little strong, but that was my thought after our first 2 picks.
     
  15. xjets2002x

    xjets2002x Active Member

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    I agree with their assessment on Powell, but I like the player and the production. The better teams in this league always have great depth at the running back position, and this gives us options if LT looks completely finished.

    Once free agency opens up, the Jets can go sign some situational pass rusher types like Antwan Barnes, or anyone who might be dropped from a team transitioning to the 4-3.

    -X-
     
  16. xjets2002x

    xjets2002x Active Member

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    Problem is, short of Woodley, it's a really soft class. You really have to hope you get someone who has fallen short somewhere and turn him around.
     
  17. Red Menace

    Red Menace Well-Known Member

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    3rd and long only killed us when Rex ran his overload blitz package, everyone was used to it and made us pay, when we played zone coverage on 3rd and long we forced other teams to punt, that is how we were able to beat the Colts and the Pats.

    Kept everything in front of us and gave up nothing deep.
     
  18. ibergu

    ibergu Member

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    I think Vernon Gholston might be available.:breakdance:
     
  19. Hemi

    Hemi Well-Known Member

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    Keep trading those picks away BB, for the future. Will he ever cash in? Or just keep trading.
     
  20. MadBacker Prime

    MadBacker Prime THE Dead Rabbit

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    I think they can't afford them now because of Brady and are just waiting for the rookie payscale.


    IMO their draft was retarded, if I were a Pats fan I'd be pissed.
     

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