I think Saleh will get most of his D help in FA this year which is the best case scenario IMO because you're getting immediate production from proven NFL-caliber players rather than hoping your draft picks pan out. There could be guys that fill all of the major needs you listed in FA. At S, you have guys like Marcus Williams and Jessie Bates who would instantly elevate our secondary. I don't think CB is as much of a need as Hall, Echols, and MCII is a solid trio and while it wouldn't hurt to add another capable body to that group, I think they can make do with those guys, especially if they upgrade at S and LB in FA. At LB, you could have guys like Jayon Brown, Christian Kirksey, and Anthony Walker Jr. who would all be instant upgrades beside Mosley. TE should also be addressed during FA too IMO as typically rookie TE's struggle and we need someone who can step in immediately and give Zach another reliable target. JD needs to break the bank for a guy like Schultz/Gesicki or go with a cheaper option like Njoku/OJ Howard/Gerald Everett/etc. and draft one in the 3rd or later. EDGE is still a big need and we probably won't go after that in FA but I do think we'll be in a position to land one of the top 3 EDGE's in this class. Things fluctuate so much from the end of the season to draft day that I'm not 100% sure we still don't have a shot at Hutchinson or Thibodeaux, but even if we don't Karlaftis is a very good EDGE prospect that we could take in the top 5. OL is also a big area of need and could be the pick in the top 5 if the FO doesn't love Karlaftis. Guys that you mentioned like Neal & Ekwonu might be top 5 worthy IMO but if you trade back you could get Cross, Linderbaum, Kenyon Green, etc. RG is in need of a major upgrade but if Mekhi can come back and be as good as he was in his rookie season then I think our OL is a RG away from being an average to above average group. Fant has found his stride at LT, McGovern is playing decent, and AVT is our LG of the future. What makes me hesitant to take an OT/OG in the top 5-10 is I think there will be huge value for guys at the top of the 2nd round at those positions. Darian Kinnard, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Zion Johnson, Trevor Penning, Sean Rhyan, and Daniel Faalele are all guys that are in that late 1st/early-mid 2nd conversation and depending on what you need (OT/OG), I think most of those guys could be immediate contributors. My preference at WR would be Williams, I think he's exactly what our WR room is missing, but all those guys you mentioned would be solid options. Even throw guys like Treylon Burks and Jahan Dotson into that mix too. The great thing about this offseason for us is we have so much flexibility with 4 top 40 picks and 50-60M+ in cap space. It'll be an exciting offseason for us but let's hope this time it actually translates to wins on Sunday.
Yeah, I think Karlaftis, Hamilton, or trade back (if he can find a dancing parter) would be the only solid options in that scenario.
The other thing to remember with Karlaftis is that Big 10 teams do a really good job at making sure their quarterbacks are in 3rd and short. And throwing attempts are kept down as compared to the other four conferences because of the cold weather. So his sack numbers aren’t eye popping but game conditions do dictate less pass rushing opportunities at times. I think Ryan Kerrigan is the best comparison for this guy even though it’s lazy because they went to the same school. They seem to be clones.
We'll see I guess. I watched every play of that Oregon state game and he was bull rushing straight ahead every other play and really struggled at disengaging blocks.
I’ve read that Karlaftis fits the Jets scheme better than Hutchinson and Thibodeaux. That would be a good pick and who knows maybe he moves up the charts so taking him at #4 isn’t so unrealistic. Hamilton could still be there at #7 if that’s where the Seattle pick ends up.
Hey, by no stretch of the imagination am I a pro scout lol so take everything I say with a huge grain of salt. He's def much more of a power rusher so I agree that he can get too caught up trying to bull rush everyone, which definitely won't work in the NFL, but the technique is there, the frame is there, & the athleticism is there. He's got all the tools you'd want from an elite EDGE prospect and I'd trust Saleh to get him to his maximum potential.
I can see it. I think Karlaftis has higher sack potential and can play more on the edge. If I remember correctly, Smith’s career really took off when he got to the 49ers and played in the 3-4 as a 5T.
Would I be disappointed if Karlaftis becomes a Jet? No I really wouldn’t. There are a lot of scenarios that I like, it just so happens that my favorite outcome doesn’t include him. Im not one to proclaim there is only one way to do things, particularly because I don’t have the luxury of interviewing these guys.
I think you're right. Seems like the Niners played him all over the defensive front though. Which is something Karlafits bring to the table too IMO.
Well said, I like Karlaftis but I think there are a lot of ways the Jets could handle the draft that don't include him that I would be happy with as well.
