Not all punters have to develop. Like kickers, they can come into the NFL and play immediately. Besides, the future isn't now. Mac won't be drafting for just the 2016 season. He's drafting for the next 5+ seasons. I think the Jets don't have a 5th (that goes to Texas for Fitz, I believe), and they have a 7th.
http://www.draftsite.com/nfl/ny-jets/8/ ^I found this ^, not sure if it's correct. The picks in the mock have nothing to do with my view. I'll be be surprised if they drafted a punter at this point, and that TB would want to go with a rookie P, but always defer to the reasoning of the GM. I don't think they will, but I know nothing of the Punter prospects and where they're projected to go. If they had more picks I'd be inclined to think it more likely, but see them really wanting to fill out the roster first
To me drafting punters and kickers should be treated like any position. Keep drafting until one sticks, impresses, or wins the job. ESPECIALLY how this team has been playing the past decade; a Defensive team with never really any consistent offense. You need to change field position or convert field goals you can get from defensive turnovers(I'M TALKING ABOUT THOSE 40 YARDERS BULLOCK)
I could be wrong as well, but I'm pretty sure that the Jets gave up a 7th round pick to the Texans for Fitz that had an escalation clause whereby if Fitz played a certain number of snaps or games, the pick would rise to a 5th round pick.
Excellent! Thanks. I knew it had escalated to a higher pick. I'm glad it's only a 6th instead of the 5th. Definitely not only bargain, but a steal!
I think I'm just going to do a massive amount of squats and leg presses, then come summer sneak onto the Jets practice field and beat Quigley out for the punter position. I imagine it'll be pretty easy. I'll even take league minimum ($435,000) to help with the salary cap.
If the Jets took their late round draft picks and spent them on Tom Hackett and Roberto Aguayo, you would see no complaints whatsoever from me. Those are maybe the two best at their position in CFB history. They're definitely worth the picks rather than the practice squad scrubs we take and get rid of every couple years.
There is zero chance M King doesn't reSign with the Raiders.( probably gets done before free agency starts). It's time for the Jets do find their own M King, as it inexcusable they keep ignoring this position.
Never ever ever ever use a pick to draft a kicker or punter...... if this was the 1970's and there was 50 rounds I could see taking one in the last round. But never in a 7 round sprint.
This is completely off the top of my head as you requested so I can't attest to the accuracy except for this one: in the late 90's the Jets drafted a DT (can't remember the name, Thomas?) in round 7 who was very good, then I think he went with Parcells to Dallas. I think the Jets drafted a RB by the name of Ward (can't remember the first name) in the early 2000's. He had a pretty good run as a Giants RB (you didn't say they had to have success with the Jets!!! LOL) Also, I think Danny Woodhead was a 7th round pick and had lots of success with the Pats and Chargers. Finally, Chansi Stuckey had a little success as a receiver when Favre was here, but wouldn't put him in the "good" category.
Woodhead was undrafted, fyi. I don't think it makes sense to stick to some arbitrary rule of never using a 7th round pick on a kicker. Special teams is very important. If you can land the best punter or kicker in the draft in the 7th round it seems well worth it to me, especially given the success rate of 7th round picks in general. If you don't put any value on special teams you end up with shitty special teams units that can anchor down an entire team like we had this year.
Yes. I went back and looked it up. The DT I couldn't remember was Jason Ferguson '97. Definitely the best 7th round choice by the Jets in recent memory. The RB who played for the Giants was Derrick Ward.
