Are The Jets Wheeling and Dealing in the Draft?

The thing is this is supposed to be such a deep and talented draft class you don't want to give up picks in it. That's the narrative at least.

 

I've been looking at the composition of our roster as in depth as I can and I see some things that perhaps the team sees, in terms of overall roster development.
-At QB, it seems to me Geno is the QB of the future whether he wins the battle in camp or not. I think he will win, making Vick a viable vet backup/mentor/competitor. Matt Simms is even more of a developmental QB, with some pretty good measurables.
-At RB Chris Ivory is a good lead back with some explosive ability, but he is injury prone and he doesn't have great speed or receiving skills. Mike Goodson is a concern because of his legal trouble, and may not be with the team. Bilal Powell is a decent backup type with limited athleticism but well rounded RB skills (he can carry, receive, and pass protect).
-At TE Cumberland is a decent weapon but not high end, and we don't have a proper blocking TE. Sudfeld is development, and Konrad Reuland really shouldn't make an NFL roster.
-At WR we have a versatile WR in Eric Decker who can do a lot in terms of working from all over the field, and a legitimate slot threat in Kerley. We also have Stephen Hill, a development with potentially explosive ability. Hopefully a bigger bodied receiver like Decker can help mentor Hill better than Holmes could. David Nelson is a fin WR 4 or 5, a guy who can step in and make receptions or block, but another guy with limited athleticism. Considering Kerley is in a contract year, both slot and outside playmakers would be helpful.
-at LT, D'Brick isn't what he was in his prime, but he will likely do better with a more experienced LG starting. I think Brick will start a couple years still, although at a reduced salary most likely. Ben Ijalana was a 2nd round pick from 2011 that we claimed off waivers, so he is in a contract year and is probably not a developmental LT for the future. If the Jets like him, perhaps they will sign him to a small contract to back up Brick and potentially start in the future, but I wouldn't count on it. Developmental LT may be something to look at.
-At LG Winters is the future, and will likely improve with more experience. Caleb Schlauderaff is just depth.
-At C, Nick Mangold will probably be playing a few more years. The coaching staff was high on UDFA Dalton Freeman as a developmental C, so he may still be in their plans to groom behind Mangold.
-At RG, Willie Colon is clearly a stop gap starter. William Campbell is a converted DL 6th round pick, a guy they want to develop into a guard. By the end of 2014 he will either be ready to start or ready to play backup OG, so another guard is probably not necessary.
-At RT, Breno Giacomini is not a standout pass blocker, but he is adept and ferocious in the run game. Oday Aboushi, the 5th round developmental RT will likely play this season as 6th offensive lineman in big packages, and his role may increase beyond that later as he would be a cheaper option than Giacomini should he begin to push him in 2015 training camp.
-At LDE, Muhammad Wilkerson is enough said. Leger Douzable is a good depth and rotational player as well.
-At NT, Damon Harrison is breaking out, and Kenrick Ellis is developing well. A good 1-2 punch at the position, however Ellis is in a contract year.
-At RDE, Sheldon Richardson is a great player. Tevita Finau is a depth player not likely to see too much action
-At ROLB, Calvin Pace is aging but a very useful player in the scheme. He is also a great vet presence for the LB corp. Garrett McIntyre is a useful role-player, but has limited athleticism. Getting a developmental OLB to put behind Pace is probably a good idea
-At mike-ILB, David Harris is still a plus player and not a bad deal now that his contract takes on a lower cap hit. Nick Bellore is a good special teams contributor, but not the future behind Harris. A developmental ILB would be a good addition while Harris is still starter material.
-At will-ILB, DeMario Davis is rounding into shape as an athletic interior defender. Year 3 in the system will likely be a breakout year working behind such a great DL cast. I don't know enough about UDFA Troy Davis, but he is probably not going to make the 2014 roster.
-At LOLB, Quinton Coples is the obvious starter. Year two at his new position should show Coples making more of the eye opening plays we saw as the 2013 season progressed. Antwan Barnes will be a nice speed rushing addition should he remain healthy.
-At S, Dawan Landry is an aging middling player only really useful against the run. Antonio Allen is a developmental SS converted from college LB, taken in the 7th round of 2012. Allen may be versatile starting safety who will continue to develop. Jaiquawn Jarrett is a 2012 second round safety who didn't make it in Philly, but has shown enough to compete to be part of the safety rotation in 2014. Josh Bush is developmental FS prospect. Overall talent infusion would be good for the safety corp.
-At CB, Dee Milliner struggled with confidence and focus through much of the 2013 season, but came on strong late in the year. He will be asked to handle #1 CB duties, something he had success with over the last quarter of the season. Kyle Wilson and Demitri Patterson have both proven to be legitimate slot backs, and Darrin Walls is a good depth player with potential to start outside. Ellis Lankster is a very useful special teams player, and can be used in the slot in certain situations. CB depth would be good considering the lack of depth and injury potential.

I'm for BPA, but what if things fell like this for us?
-Sign RB Chris Johnson, cut RB Mike Goodson.
-Haha Clinton-Dix in the 1st round, cut Dawan Landry in camp.
-Bradley Roby in the 2nd (will compete with Walls to start.)
-Donte Moncrief in the 3rd (will compete with Hill to start.)
-Our three 4th round picks are used on developmental OLB, ILB, TE.
-Our 5th on a developmental WR, perhaps slot oriented.
-Our remaining 4 6ths and 7th are used on a punter, project picks, and perhaps some trade fodder.