Round 1 Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall Bryan Thomas just tore his Achilles and his career is probably over. Jamaal Westerman and Aaron Maybin will attempt to fill the void but neither one of them possess the skillset to be a long-term starter. We'll probably add someone during free agency to act as a stop-gap at the position but we still need a pure pass rushing threat for the future. Vinny Curry burst onto the scene as a junior with 12 sacks and 18 TFLs for the Thundering Herd last season. He displays tremendous closing speed and a pension for getting after the QB. However, to be able to play the run effectively at the next level, he'll need to bulk up but thankfully he has the size for it (6'5"). He's also another local prospect (having come from Neptune, NJ). Round 2 Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina Two of our top three WRs are over the age of 32 and are only on 1-year deals. Needless to say, we're going to need to add to the position next offseason. WR will arguably be both the deepest position in terms of free agency and the draft. Players such as Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston, and Brandon Lloyd could be available but since we signed Santonio Holmes to a $50 million contract last offseason, it's unlikely we'll be willing to spend a lot of money at the position next offseason (considering we're still supposedly a run-first offense). In my search for a wide receiver prospect we could conceivably select in the 2nd round of next year's draft, I wanted to pick a receiver that fit the profile of Plaxico Burress (whom we signed to compliment Holmes this past offseason). This meant that the receiver would not only have to have size but also play with size (meaning the ability to go downfield or stand in the endzone and fight for a jump-ball). The decision pretty much came down to Juron Criner and Dwight Jones. I went with Jones because he presents the more dynamic skill-set between the two (thanks to his speed) and his school's track record of producing pro-caliber receivers. Round 3 Blake DeChristopher, OT, Virginia Tech The biggest issue for our team this season, so far, has been the play of our offensive line. For this reason, a lot of you are probably clamoring for an earlier draft pick being spent on the right tackle position. I'm not going to count out the possibility for this, but there are a few reasons why I don't think we will be spending an earlier draft pick on the position. The big reason is Vladimir Ducasse. Two years ago we spent a 2nd round pick on an offensive line prospect (albeit a project) that has been nothing short of a bust so far in his career. For this reason, I think it's more likely that we try to address the offensive line before the draft than during it. I still have us spending a relatively early draft choice on an offensive lineman (as evidenced here), but this is the reason why I don't think we'll be spending a higher one. Blake DeChristopher has started over 40 games for the Hokies and led the way for 2nd round draft choice Ryan Williams, last season. He is a tough run blocker that needs to improve his game as a pass protector. He projects as a right tackle at the next level. Round 4 Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington As I mentioned earlier, we have two receivers that are over the age of 32 that are only on 1-year deals. The other one being Derrick Mason. This means that unless we sign someone during free agency, we will have a need for two wide receivers in next year's draft. Jermaine Kearse is one of my favorite values in the 2012 draft. He is a highly experienced wide receiver that acted as (8th overall pick in last year's draft) Jake Locker's favorite target during his time at Washington University. What's hurting Kearse's stock this season is that there's an inexperienced signal-caller under center in Washington. Kearse still has a pretty good chance of being drafted before we're on the clock in the 4th round in next year's draft, but at the moment, Kearse's stock is only going down. Round 5 Neiko Thorpe, FS, Auburn There is still a serious need for safeties that can cover (specifically, cover the tight end) on this team. We traded away our play-making safety (Dwight Lowery) just before the season and didn't really have anyone to replace him. Neiko Thorpe is one of my favorite prospects. After playing cornerback previously in his career, he moved to free safety for this season. He has good size (6'3") which makes you believe that he'd match up well against tight ends and he's not afraid to hit. Thorpe could be a pretty good match-up player for Rex Ryan to experiment with. Round 6 (1) Tashaun Gipson, CB, Wyoming Rex loves corners. That doesn't need to be explained. Donald Strickland, currently our dime back, is unlikely to be back for next season. Gipson has some talent and can be developed behind Revis, Cromartie, and Wilson. Round 6 (2) DC Jefferson, TE, Rutgers Jeff Cumberland recently tore his Achilles and his career could be over. We'll need a new developmental tight end to replace him and local prospect DC Jefferson fits the bill.
I like the positions that were selected in this mock. A lot of depth would be created with a draft like this. Vinny Curry isn't a first rounder...yet. He's probably a mid-to-late second rounder right now. If we go after an OLB in the first, it will most likely be Pitt's Brandon Lindsey or West Virginia's Bruce Irvin. I like the kid a lot, but at the moment, that's a reach. One of your mid-round selections, Blake DeChristopher, owned Curry earlier in the season. Dwight Jones is a baller. This is an incredibly deep WR class and he's making his way into the top seven or so prospects at the position. Blake DeChristopher is a true right tackle prospect. If the poor line play keeps up, I'd like to see the position addressed earlier. I love that you took two receivers. I've been talking about doing that a lot lately. This is a great year to be a receiver needy team, because talented kids like Jermaine Kearse will be available much later than usual. Neiko Thorpe is one of the most underrated defenders in the SEC. Something tells me he'll go higher than this. If we're going to get any value out of our late rounders, we need to draft experienced players like Tashaun Gipson. He's a four year starter. That will help him make a team. We don't need another pass catching, developmental TE behind Dustin Keller. We need a blocker that contribute right away. Jefferson is a converted QB that's still learning the position.
^ I considered Brandon Jenkins, but at the moment I don't believe we'll be picking high enough to get him. Thanks for the advice. It's a work in progress.
In draft deep at 3-4 OLB and WR, the Jets should really think about going after an offensive tackle high.
Your logic is sound, but the fact that we spent a high draft pick on an offensive lineman two years ago that is looking like a genuine bust, might scare us off a little bit. Maybe that's just me, though. Usually we wind up filling most if not all of our starting needs before the draft, anyway. So by the time the draft rolls around, one or two of our three big needs (OLB, WR, RT) might be filled, leaving us to draft whichever one is left or to go BPA.
The fact that we spent a high draft on an offensive lineman that will not contribute to this team means we have to try again. The fact that our franchise quarterback is getting destroyed almost every time he drops back should scare our front office. Wayne Hunter's locked up for quite some time. Bringing in a young, talented right tackle prospect to compete with him is a good idea. There will be better talent at WR and OLB than RT in the second, third, and fourth rounds.
Blake DeChristopher doesn't fit that criteria? I can't agree with that. I think there are some good RT prospects after the 1st round.
Ricky Wagner, Riley Reiff, Matt Kalil, Jonathan Martin > Blake DeChristopher 3 out of those 4 should go in the first round. Maybe all 4. Courtney Upshaw, Melvin Ingram, Jonathan Massaquoi, Vinny Curry, Ryan Broyles, Juron Criner, Dwight Jones, and Muhammed Sanu will all most likely be around in the second round. All of those players are better than the RT prospects that are selected in the second. There will be more value at other positions later in this draft.
Maybe I'll have us selecting an offensive tackle in the first round in the second edition of my mock draft in a few weeks and see how it goes. For now, I like the layout of my mock draft the way it is.
Love the draft , props on the write ups as well I know how tough making one of these are. I like Curry a lot but I agree with Mr. E he will most likely be a late 2nd rounder unless he blows people away at the combine. I'm starting to think we go Tackle early because of the depth at OLB and WR in this draft although I like what rounds you targeted certain positions. Dwight Jones stock is booming as of late I think he could go even higher than late 2nd if a team likes him enough BUT I will say getting him at the back end of the second would be great. Two WRs drafted is solid as well, I think we go either two WRs or Two OLBs whichever position we don't address in FA. I like the late round TE as well although I think we should target either Michael Williams out of Alabama or Anthony Miller out of Cal both are primarily blocking TEs but both can catch and allow the Jets playbook too open up even more on Offense. All in all solid job.
wewantsapp, As of right now, I think so. I have Coples, Taylor, Irvin, Paige-Moss, Lindsey, and Jenkins ranked ahead of him. Taylor and Coples will get looks at 3-4 end because of Mario Williams success at the position.
I like the top of your draft. Curry and Jones are two of my favorite prospects. I think by the end of the year Jones will be the 4 ranked WR behind Blackmon, Jeffery, and Floyd. I also like that you had us taking 2 WR. I do think we will use FA to get a pass rusher. I would like to see us trade out of the bottom of the first round, i feel there is better value with multiple 2nd round picks. If you dont mind i would like to post my mock here. 1. Dwight Jones-WR-6'4-225 He has great size, above average speed for the size, great coordination, and great hands. He is flying up draft boards hence the reason i think we will have to get him in late rd 1. I love his size and what he is able to do in the red zone. His upside is just as good as Blackmon and Jeffery, in my opinion. 2. TJ McDonald-S-6'2-205 He is athletic, he hits hard, and an immediate starter over smith. 3. Coby Fleener-TE-6'6-245 He has great hands and unbelieveable speed for his size. Even though he appears to only be a pass catching TE, he can hold his own as a blocker. He is another one i like because his size and speed will be a matchup nightmare. Another red zone threat to add to the offense. 4. Chase Thomas-OLB-6'4-240 He already plays some OLB in stanfords 3-4 hybrid. He has good makeup to become a good pass rusher. He does not have the athleticism many like but he is a football player with good IQ. Cant go wrong with him in the 4th round 5. Kendall Wright-WR-5'10-195 Can develop into a great slot reciever with his speed and quickness. He also possesses good soft hands. 6. Zerbie Sanders-RT-6'5-307 He plays on a talented o-line and has faced good talents over the years. Can develop into a quality RT. 7. Adrian Robinson-OLB-6'2-242 Plays on a talented temple defense. Had a great year two years ago but appeared to have lost his pass rushing game last year. He has 4 sacks this year, although they were against inferior talents.
I'm no expert but your mock looks great for sure. But as this season has shown we really need OL depth. I'd love to double up on OL over anything else this next draft to really help solidfy our line. There's a slight chance too that next training camp if no improvement is shown, they may cut ties with Ducasse. There would be no incentive to keep him around in year 3 if he continues to show the same ineptitude he has so far. If that happens then we'd most definitely have to have doubled up at OL or we could be looking at a serious problem next season. Just my .02
Draft guys...when looking to draft a right offensive tackle do teams generally favor drafting guys who play left tackle because they are generally more athletic? Then convert them over?
Like a Michael Oher type of situation in Baltimore? The Jets have the luxury of having an elite left tackle on our line. In my opinion, if you can play left tackle at a high level, right tackle should be cake.
I think we'll try to address the offensive line (at least in some capacity) before the draft. Ben Grubbs is a guy I'd like to see if we could steal away from the Ravens. I've never been sold on Slauson being talented enough to start on a 'supposedly' dominant offensive line. If we were to sign Grubbs, we could then relegate Slauson to the bench, increasing our depth, and possibly having him be the future successor to Brandon Moore.
