https://www.nj.com/jets/2021/04/nfl...is-a-big-mistake-espns-mel-kiper-jr-says.html FWIW, Mel Kiper actually think the Jets will be making a "BIG MISTAKE" if they select Wilson over Fields at # 2. I didn't realize he was so solidly in the Fields camp. “I’ve been consistent with Justin all along. I waited to see the playoff game. The way he performed like a champion against Trevor and that Clemson defense in that semifinal game I think cemented it for me, that I was going to be consistent and not change and not have a reaction to two subpar games in a COVID year, which I think is utterly asinine to do." So if Fields is the better prospect, why are the Jets leaning toward Wilson? Kiper has an idea. “I just think that Joe Douglas fell in love with the talent and said, ‘OK, I love this kid. I can reset the clock. Sam Darnold I liked but I can move him on, get some draft picks.’ He had said, Joe Douglas did, that if they weren’t picking second and in a position to draft Zach Wilson, he would’ve stuck with Sam Darnold and not moved on. So obviously for him, it was Trevor Lawrence or Zach Wilson and nobody else. Sam Darnold would’ve been the guy. If I were the Jets, Rich, I would’ve stuck with Sam Darnold. I would not have drafted a quarterback. I would’ve stuck with Sam and then either use that pick on a Kyle Pitts or move down and acquire some extra draft choices and still would’ve been able to acquire a great pass-catcher, whether it’s the three receivers, one of those three, or Pitts, for Sam Darnold. But they, I think Joe Douglas just fell in love with Zach Wilson and that’s the bottom line on that, but I think it is a colossal mistake.”
I do agree with your point that having an arm that can make NFL-level throws is key. And while I've said numerous times that Wilson does not have a Mahomes-level arm, I believe it's strong enough to meet that requirement. The only way to know for sure is to see him against NFL defenses. One of the things I miss the most about no Combine was the speed of throws measurement. That's one thing in a vacuum that I think is a useful indicator.
Yeah he’s been consistent with that but it’s hard to hear him and others like him over the Wilson hype train which is very noisy.
This is the most misleading headline I have read in a long time. First of all, Kiper ranks Justin Fields #6 overall. He ranks Zach Wilson #7 overall. Back to back. So picking one over the other is about preference as Kiper himself said. The mistake Kiper felt the Jets made was trading Sam Darnold. It had nothing to do with picking Wilson over Fields. People write the most ridiculous stuff and clickbait stuff these days. Drives me nuts.
Yeah, I do agree with you DarkKnight. There was definitely more nuance to what Kiper was saying, which is why I included the little "nuggets" from Kiper in bold, so that people wouldn't be misled by the title of the nj.com article, which I agree with you was a classic "clickbait" title. I didn't want to copy and paste the whole article obviously, but the nuggets I highlighted make it very clear that: A-kiper prefers fields over wilson, although as u noted, not necessarily by a significant margin B-that Kiper thinks the "BIG mistake" the Jets are making is that they didn't stick with Sam and trade back to stockpile picks to build the roster, which is a point which Ouchy and a small, but dedicated group of TGG Jets fans have been advocating for. You also have to take into consideration obvious bias...Kiper was very high on Sam coming out of USC, so it might just be a case of Mel not wanting to come clean and admit that Sam is a bust and that he was dead wrong in his evaluation of him as an NFL prospect.
Watching a breakdown like this gets me really excited to be a Jet fan. I am not sure I trust Kurt I will reserve judgment until I see Kurtthejetsfan break down the tapes.
He’s maintain that Trevor and Fields are his 1A & 1B in terms of his QB rankings then there’s a bit of a gap. He doesn’t like to disparage teams from drafting who the like. He defends SF decision to pick Mac Jones even though Mac is much lower on his board.
Forgive my sarcasm about Mel as sure as hell I don't have the tools to judge who the better QB is or will be. But, going against a Mel Kiper selection is plus more often than not...especially when it comes to nailing down QBs. I could have sworn that Mel had Sam as the number one choice that year. Having said that, I was a supporter of trading down this year, but still in striking range of getting a QB with potential like a Lance.
Kiper's entitled to his opinion, but it's not like he's right most of the time: NFL Players Mel Kiper Was Wrong About And Picks He Actually Got Right (thesportster.com)
I know I am probably older than most of you guys, but does anyone remember the infamous Kiper/Bill Tobin on-air feud from the 1994 NFL Draft, provoked when the Colts selected Trev Alberts over Trent Dilfer?
Yeah, exactly. I disagree with a lot of Kiper's rankings through the years, but I do like that he stays more consistent than other draft people. He makes his observations and grades and then sticks to them. He doesn't let hype change his views or rise or drop players on his board usually. That can work for and against him sometimes, but I do like that he usually sticks to his guns.
His health aside, Wilson’s success all hinges on that arm talent IMO. If it’s Mahomes/Rodgers special like Simms and others believes, then he should prove more than worthy of being the 2nd overall pick. If it’s short of that, then let’s just pray JD builds a super team around him.
Awesome. Now I crave wine. peeps If we start a new thread we will lose the Poll results. Shall we start a new one or continue here
You just showed a throw where Zach was on the opposite hash and threw the ball over 50 yards on a rope. Zach has plenty of arm and then some.
