This will always be the style of football we play, but our front office has to keep each and every position stocked or it won't be as effective. The way I see it now is we're eventually going to lose a few key players on our offense because of age. We need to find replacements for these guys soon: RT Damien Woody LG Alan Faneca FB Tony Richardson No one is sure if Thomas Jones will be a Jet in 2010. TJ has a huge roster bonus coming his way, and the front office might feel like they can use that money elsewhere. I'd like to see Thomas Jones in green and white next season, but that may not be the case. If he doesn't remain with the team next season, we'll definitely need to add another powerful runner to our stable of backs. Someone is going to have to take some of the punishment off of Shonn Greene. Also, we are missing a key component for this system. The Jets clearly lack a solid blocking tight end behind Dustin Keller. Keller's blocking has improved greatly over this season, but we still need a backup tight end that is a solid run blocker. Ben Hartsock was supposed to be that guy, but he's a played his way off of this team with costly penalties and missed assignments. Matthew Mulligan is clearly not an option either. That means, in order to keep this finely tuned machine running, we have to find replacements and upgrade certain spots. 2010's draft is filled with talent at most of these positions. Here are my favorite top prospects and late rounders that should be available when our team is on the clock. If you guys think highly of anyone that I haven't mentioned, add to this thread. Right Tackle: Trent Williams, Oklahoma, 6'5 318 Kyle Calloway, Iowa, 6'7 315 Chris Scott, Tennessee, 6'5 345 Zane Beadles, Utah, 6'4 310 Ciron Black, LSU, 6'5 320 Adam Utatoski, Texas, 6'8 312 Jared Veldheer, Hillsdale (Div II), 6'9 321 Trent Williams struggled at left tackle, so his stock has definitely dropped. Calloway and Black have great potential. Beadles may move inside to guard. My personal favorite is Chris Scott - he's played all over the place at Tennessee, so his versatility could get him on the field early. Left Guard: Mike Iupati, Idaho, 6'5 335 Maurkice Pouncey, Florida, 6'5 318 Mike Johnson, Alabama, 6'6 308 John Jerry, Ole Miss, 6'6 335 Brandon Carter, Texas Tech, 6'7 345 Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts, 6'5 330 Mike Iupati is the cream of the crop, and one of my favorite players in this draft. Maurkice Pouncey is a college center, but he's got enough athleticism to move out to tackle or play inside at guard. Vlad Ducasse is a name that's flying up boards. Fullback: Dorin Dickerson, Pittsburgh, 6'2 230 Cory Jackson, Maryland, 6'1 240 Not much talent at fullback this season. If Richardson decides to hang 'em up, we'll more than likely bring in a free agent. Dickerson is a versatile, hard-nosed player, but I don't know we have enough picks to go after a fullback. Tight End Micky Shuler Jr., Penn State, 6'4 250 Michael Hoomanawanui, Illinois, 6'5 275 Nate Byham, Pittsburgh, 6'3 250 Colin Peek, Alabama, 6'6 255 Tony Moeaki, Iowa, 6'4 255 Caz Piurowski, Florida State, 6'7 270 In my opinion, Shuler is the best blocking tight end in the country. Hoomanawanui is close behind. Byham offers athleticism at the position. Tony Moeaki is a guy to watch out for...he was a big time recruit coming out of high school and he's never been able to stay healthy. Piurowski is basically an extra lineman on the field. Power Back Ryan Mathews, Fresno State, 5'11 225 Toby Gerhart, Stanford, 6'1 235 Charles Scott, LSU, 6'0 235 Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State, 6'1 240 Ben Tate, Auburn, 5'11 215 Joique Bell, Wayne State, 6'1 223 Stafon Johnson, USC, 5'11 210 Lonyae Miller, Fresno State, 5'11 220 LeGarrette Blount, Oregon, 6'2 243 In a RBBC (running-back-by-committee), Mathews will flourish at the next level. Gerhart proved that white guys can play running back. Scott, Dixon, and Tate are big, strong, powerful SEC backs. Joique Bell is a super productive, small school player. Lonyae Miller lost his spot to freshman phenom Ryan Mathews, but he's still produced at a high level - watch out for this kid at the Shrine Game.
I really, really want Mike Johnson in the second round or Iupati if he falls to us. But best case scenario would be a trade back to the early 2nd, pick up an early 3rd. 2) Eric Norwood/Jerry Hughes 2) Mike Johnson 3) Vince Oghobaase
If they're looking for a power back, I would be very happy to get Anthony Dixon. I love the way that he runs, always looking for contact and delivering the blow. A game full of Dixon and Green would have defenses crying by the time the 4th quarter roles around.
Dixon's an animal. I just have a feeling Ryan is going to want an offense much like Baltimore's 2008 offense...multiple power runners, and then a smallish quick change-of-pace back. (Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee, and Ray Rice)
I'm not suggesting that we use ALL of our draft picks on these positions. This thread is about the options that are available at the positions that have to be filled sooner than later. I want to see a couple defensive players drafted too, but we have to build both sides.
There's a RB from Buffalo, that played with Willy last year....James Starks.....I remember watching a few Buffalo games last year and Starks stood out, was injuryed all of 2009.
Love this post.. great job MrE! T-Rex (Richardson) said he wants to come back for another season if he can work it out with the Jets so FB should be ok for another season. I wonder how this J. Davies we have on the PS is... For the RT job my favs are Calloway and Scott... if one of them is available on day 3 (4th round) we should definitely make a move). 3rd round is where they'll prob go. On more than one occasion Schotty JR said Hartsock isn't getting the credit he deserves (his words not mine) and I think in another off-season he could become a valuable player. As far as Mulligan, have you noticed he's always active in the last 3/4 games? I wonder if he has some ST value.. why would they keep him active otherwise? I don't recall seeing him on the field however. Keep in mind we signed him on final days cuts so the FO must think highly of him. that said I have a massive hard-on for the Hoomanavui kid... I think he could be a GREAT addiction to this team. Finger crossed... I think TJ will stay another year or two... If we give him away this draft however I wnat Montario Hardesty from Tenn... the guy impressed me!
Yeah, I agree with this. It's really important for us to get a LG IMO. We need to make sure this sick offensive line stays in tact. If something crazy happened and Iupati fell, that would be amazing.
It's a weak top 10 tackle class but picking at the end of the 1st round I think you could see a lot of value there. I could see the team going offense heavy in the draft with Ryan thinking he can coach up defensive players.
Great post...I think Ryan takes pride in turning no names into valuable players. Whether people like it or not, this team is going to be built around Mark Sanchez. He is the face of the franchise, and he needs more weapons and young offensive line replacements. We're in the AFC Championship with basically no passing game - imagine where this kid will take us in a few years.
Are there any later 1st day/second day LT's the Jets can get late that may be good options to move to RT. Assuming Woody has another 2 seasons in him. Curious because some of the better RT's were former LT's not athletic enough to play the position in the Pros. (yeah I know you know this)
Question....regarding the FB position. Is Caulcrick still on the practice squad? wouldn't he be a suitable replacement for Richardson?
We have Jason Daviesa a FB on the PS. Caulcrick signed a reserve/future with the Bucs. I'd like to know what happened to Brannan Southerland. We had him heading to TC last year but he had health issues.. wonder if he recovered...
For me it has to be the best player available at the time we pick. If Iupati is still on the board when we pick, then he may be the best player for us. I would like to have a DE and an OLB, but I don't know if any of those guys would bring us the same value with our first pick.
I love ground and pound, but I also think a slot receiver is important for Sanchez. Mardy Gilyard would be prett sweet in the 2nd.
