Interested to guage some opinions as the draft fast approaches. Please Note that this is not a poll to say who you WANT the Jets to draft, this is to say who the think the Jets WILL take in the first round. I have added the players likely to be available/in consideration based on the mocks I have seen.
I think it's Melvin Ingram..but if they don't take him I see it as Michael Floyd. One of the two (hopefully)
I actually think trader Mike does what he's never done in the first and that is trade back. With the late first rounder I see Branch from Clemson or Hightower from Alabama. Kevin Steele was probably the worst DC in the ACC and I don't believe he tapped the potential that Andre has. I think AB will be the elite pass rusher the Jets desperately need.
I strongly doubt Ingram is there when we pick, and Im doubtful we trade back when we already have 10 picks (unless we trade down then trade up, which I also doubt) Right now it seems like Upshaw has to be considered a strong favorite
I feel like Upshaw has been slated to go at 16 for MONTHS now, I hope its Floyd but I feel like Upshaw will be the pick
I chose Barron.....his stock has been rising a bit and it could be bpa and a need...Floyd and Ingram will be gone... Might move back up for another pass rusher like branch or curry ..
I'm with you here. If we don't trade up for Melvin Ingram, I think we could take Andre Branch at 16 or ideally trade back and pick him up later. His upside is higher than Upshaw's and he's a safer prospect than Mercilus -- the last thing we need is another Gholston who isn't a good fit in a 3-4. In my mock I have us getting the Browns 1st (#22 from ATL) and 2nd (#5 in 2nd) for our 1st and 2nd basically -- and taking Branch and a WR (Randle, Jeffery, Wright, Floyd...your choice).
I agree. I chose Barron because I think Floyd and Ingram will be gone and the question marks about Upshaw will be too much to overlook. Besides, part of it might be wishful thinking. He'd be my choice if available. I think Safety, T and OLB are our most glaring need. I don't see any quality tackles being worth the 16th pick. Plus, I think there are too many pretty good but not great OLB prospects to take one at 16th unless you feel great about them. Barron is clearly the best safety. You can't say any of the OLB are clearly the best pass rusher.
I have a feeling for some reason that Ingram makes it to 16. Of course, he might not - but I could really see it happening if teams aren't sure where he fits best in their base defenses. My gut also says someone is going to get antsy for a playmaker and draft Floyd before 16. The other two "no brainer if they fall to 16" guys for me are DeCastro and Richardson. Richardson surely looks to be gone, but DeCastro could very well be there. I know guard isn't necessarily a pressing need this season, but a guy like DeCastro would help us immensely now and in the future: Now, we instantly upgrade left guard, add O-Line depth, and provide insurance against the possibility that Slauson isn't ready to go right away after offseason surgery and 31-yo Moore will make it through the year. Next year, Moore & Slauson will be UFAs and Moore is almost certainly gone. Without DeCastro, we will have 0 capable guards on the roster in 2013. With DeCastro we will have a guard ready for his first of many (hopefully) All-Pro seasons to pair with any serviceable vet (maybe Slauson).
I have a sneaking suspicion that the player we want isn't going to be there at 16, and we move back a few places to take someone like Hightower. Some player will unexpectedly drop to 16 (maybe Coples or Tannehill?), or a team is willing to jump ahead of someone else to get their guy early like Fletcher Cox or Kendall Wright.
Not sure where all the love for Ingram comes from. The guy is not a physically built for the NFL with his penguin arms. He benefitted from having two other very good DE's esp the Nation's #1 recruit Jedavean Clowney and a tremendous secondary. Most of his 'special' plays happened when he was put in places the OLine didn't expect him. He's a good player, but hardly a top ten. Someone questioned why I like Branch. AB played for three different DLine coaches at Clemson. He's a superior athlete to Ingram and has proven he can play standing or in a 3 pt stance. We all have our favorites, but lets face facts. What player in the last ten years has SC sent to the NFL that's made an impact. Rice came closest, but he's always hurt. The only really good Gamecock is John Abraham.
I mentioned this before, Hightower get's no respect. Too many of you guys follow the herd and listen to the "masses'. 4-3 DEs aren't the only players that can convert to OLB. The ignorant and uninformed Jet's fan that doesn't study college football belives the Jets shouldn't draft Hightower because his position is ILB. Hightower is a force, and can play any LB position in our defense. Hightower strenght is getting into the backfield and making plays. He is equally talented moving sideline to sideline and creating pressure in the backfield. Hightower is an extremely instinctive player that reacts quickly and makes plays. Hightower was Bama's best defensive player with Mark Barron, when healthy, a close second. I won't vote in a poll that doesn't have Hightower listed. The Andre Branch talk at #16 is nonsense.
Key point is the poll is who you think they'll draft, not who you would. To this point, I haven't seen or heard anything that would lead me to believe the Jets would be thinking about Hightower at 16. I think he should be considered, but unless they're playing it real close to the vest, Mr. T apparently disagrees.
That's my point, people don't consider Tanny will draft DH. Ignorance about Hightower's game is very clear. More people need to look outside the box. I study film on College players and probably watch more Colege games on this site than most and Hightower is being overlooked by most Jet fans. If the Jets want a versatile defender with outstanding football instincts and the co-captain and leader of Bama's defense, Hightower is the player. He's clearly more fluid, and reacts better than Upshaw and is equally skilled rushing the passer, something too may fans key on.
I picked Upshaw in the poll, but I like this idea, trade down! I prefer Hightower over Branch though. I watched him his entire time at Alabama and think he has what it takes to make the Jets a better defense.
The players listed were all players that have been linked in various "pro" mocks to the Jets - I haven't seen a single mock that lists Hightower as being even a possible alternative selection by the Jets. There is a limit of 10 choices in creating a poll and given you need to have a "someone else" and a "trade" option you can only list the most likely suspects.
everyone under the sun seems to think that title belongs to Upshaw, glad somebody else agrees with me. and to hell with the Andre Branch talk thats pure ludicrous. Oh and I think at minimum a handful of good options at 16 aren't in that poll. Mercilus is on there, despite reports the Jets aren't interested in him. Also reports came out yesterday or the day before, the Jets don't think Upshaw is an option at 16 (that was Jake Steinberg via twitter I believe). Nick Perry isn't on the list, nor is Jonathon Martin/Mike Adams, Hightower, heck don't be shocked if the Jets reach a bit for a receiver (be it Jeffery or Hill) if Floyd/Ingram are gone.
Upshaws stock has been slipping a lot over the last few weeks and I think its only the fact that OLB is seen as a higher premium position than ILB that Upshaw is typically mocked as going higher than Hightower.
That's the thinking I was describing. Hightower is just not a ILB, just like Upshaw isn't just a DE. This is not an attack on any specific person, just how people are narrow minded and don't look at other options.
