If the Jets draft Lattimore in the 3rd, I lose a lot of faith in John Idzik. Jets need players now AND for the future. We know Lattimore won't make any impact until at least midseason, if he can make one at all, and we don't know if he'll ever regain his form. Even this year, he was playing well, but he didn't look as explosive as he had in the past. Drafting that in the 3rd round? Hell no. Maybe if we're a team that has: A. Lots of picks B. Not a lot of needs Jets fit neither of those.
I see where you're coming from, and I understand your perspective. The problem is we need someone who can move the ball for us. Whether it's through the air or on the ground. Maybe the 3rd round is too early, but I think someone will spring for him in the 3rd if we don't. I would feel a lot better getting him in the 4th or 5th but I really believe someone will reach early for him.
If you want a RB that can move the ball, it's not ML, Christine Michael would be the man for the job, but I think the packers will draft him late in the first round.
That's just the thing. We're not going to be in position to pick a RB that early, nor would we with our current roster. The fact is if Lattimore returns to where he was he will be by far the best RB out of this draft class. To me that's worth a shot in the 3rd and just a no brainer in the 4th or later.
Disagree. The ONLY reason a player like Lattimore falls to rd 3 is because of the injuries... otherwise he's a 1st rd player. Having to wait half a season for a player that falls down 2 rounds because of it isn't value to you?
Kris Jenkins is worth a 1st round pick, other than the injuries. Bob Sanders is worth a 1st round pick, other than the injuries. Andrew Bynum is worth a 1st round pick, other than the injuries. Except if they can't stay on the field for you, or if they aren't the same player coming back, it's useless. Lattimore wasn't going to be a high 1st round pick even if he didn't get hurt. He would have probably been a late 1. Guy has taken a beating in college, and he's coming off serious injuries in consecutive seasons to both of his knees. I just don't view Lattimore as an ELITE talent. He's a very good player, at least he was two years ago. Last year, he was a good running back, but not a 1st round pick. He didn't show the same explosion, though a year after a torn ACL, a lot of players don't do that. Then add on another injury? If the Jets had a lot of picks and proven backs, I'd understand taking Lattimore and basically redshirting him. But the Jets have neither. Spending a 3rd round pick on a hurt running back is ridiculous, unless he's a can't miss prospect. Lattimore was NEVER a can't miss running back. 1st rounder, sure. Can't-miss? No. A 4th rounder, I wouldn't be pleased, but at leat you can make a case for that to me. 5th or later, fine, I'll take a shot on him. I just don't think Lattimore has much more upside after a major injury to his left knee followed by a catastrophic injury to his right knee than a Christine Michael or a Mike Gillislee or a Johnathan Franklin.
His rookie season will almost be like a redshirt. Therefore I don't see him coming off the board till the late 4th at the earliest. If I'm the Jets, I don't pick until round 5.
marcus lattimore isn't injury prone, his injuries are freak injuries. rg3 had 2 ACL tears in the past 3 years. would you not draft him because of that?
RG3 is a quarterback. Sure, he can run, but he doesn't need that to be successful, and if he loses a half a step, it doesn't kill his game. A running back usually....runs. I'm not necessarily worried about him being injury-prone, but I am worried about him not being able to make it all the way back. In the 3rd, hell no. In the 4th, I'd rather not. 5th and beyond, sure, why not, but he's a risky pick.
He is a risky pick, but with rookie contracts the way they are, I can see him going in the 3rd round to some team. He would be on the PUP list to start off and then a team would need to decide if he is ready or not.
Funny as I feel the exact opposite. If the Jets took a flyer on Lattimore, I'd have MORE faith in Idzik. As of right now, he hasn't really done anything except purge the roster. And more is coming (Darrelle Revis probably). Drafting Lattimore would show me there IS a long term plan and that he's focused on the future of the franchise, over petty acquisitions in the short term. Right now, he hasn't done really anything for the long term for us to surmize that that IS his priority. The Jets have a lot of needs, sure, but a playmaker at RB/ on offense in general is probably the top need. If a player fits that bill - regardless if he needs to "red-shirt" you take him.. especiallly if you can get him in the 3rd or 4th round. I don't think you need to have a lot of picks to take him if you aren't worried so much about the short-term. I'd argue that the Jets have more reason to take him over the 49ers or someone who need to win in the short term. I could careless if Lattimore plays in 2013, and in fact I'd probably IR him for the whole season this year. But if they can have a back of his caliber ready to go and hungry in 2014 - then damn that's a good selection. I disagree about your assessment that he doesn't have the upside of those other mediocre backs you mention - Gillislee, Michael. His upside is head and shoulders above them. South Carolina eased him back last season, so I wouldn't judge that he lost his explosion. When they stopped easing him in, he looked like he was back to his old self before the second injury. Just not enough of a sample size. Lastly, even IF he lost some of his explosion. That's not the type of back he is. He's not a Chris Johnson type, who relies on his god-given abilites. Honestly, his vision and ability to find the open area is what most impresses me. He reminds me of a young Curtis Martin, vision-wise. He also reminds me of Arian Foster, similar size, similar limitations (not a burner), and ability to catch the ball. Both Martin and Foster fell in the draft because of injury/ability concerns as well. I'm not saying Lattimore will become THEM, but if he becomes half the players they are it's worth a flyer in the 3rd round. He's also a great competitor and a hard worker. He'll get back on the field and will be hungry when he does.
I said this numerous times, Lattimore is a great kid, not just a terrific player. Certain people have the ability to impress you and Lattimore is that person. As far as a player, Lattimore would have been a Mid 1st Rd pick without the injury. The only way the Jets would have a shot at Lattimore is drafting him in Rd 3, he won't last to the top of Rd 4. The Jets have too many needs to draft Marcus in rd 3, it's too bad cause I believe he's going to be a solid RB in the NFL.
something i don't understand is people say "oh, we cant take (insert name) because we have too many holes." like RB is a hole for us, we have fucking bilal powell and mike goodson. also people say we can't take a QB high, we have too many holes to fill. well isn't QB our biggest hole?
Do you see a Adrian Peterson comparison with Lattimore? I see more of a Darren McFadden because they are just straight forward runners. Also Lattimore doesnt play violent like Peterson
I agree RB is a hole for us. That's largely my point...I want guys who can compete to start this season.
Lattimore is not as good a prospect as either McFadden or Peterson coming out. WW used the Frank Gore analogy. I think that can be a good one if he's healthy...
