Dan Quinn isn't our HC. Bowles has experience running both the 3-4 and the 4-3. I don't think him being a 3-4 OLB devalues him in regards to the Jets draft board.
I would LOVE for the Jets to draft an OLB. We definitely have a crying need for one with some speed. Luckily, this seems to be a pretty deep group of OLB prospects, so we should definitely get one at some point. That said, if Mariota is there at #6, we HAVE to take him. We also HAVE to draft Brick's replacement this year. There's no way we can pay him $14+million next year or have him protecting our QBs blind side. So imo that pushes OLB down to the #3 spot in terms of priorities. We also have ignored the offense for too long and used too many picks on D.
I agree we need an OLB. If it's between Mariota or Gregory/Ray, I think i would prefer a linebacker. I haven't seen a draft this deep at OLB but I've definitely seen hoping for a franchise QB in a bad QB year play out poorly too many times.
What about Dante Fowler? Seems like there's at least a chance Shane Ray and Randy Gregory go before 6.
Beasley looks very good as an edge rusher. It's something the team needs and hasn't had since John Abraham. But as others have stated, I don't think Macc and Bowles can afford to pass on the premium offensive talent in this draft. How does the 2016 draft project as far as WR and RB talent? If there is a way to do it without giving up too much, I would love to somehow snag both Amari Cooper and Melvin Gordon in this draft.
Buyer Beware on Gregory: http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/02/scout_compares_nebraskas_randy_gregory_to_dion_jor.html Sounds eerily similar to a current Jet named Coples. 5.5 of the guy's 7 sacks came in three games against bottom feeders Illinois, Rutgers and Miami. Then he disappears. Yikes. Whereas his writeup on Ray is "crazy production as a pass rusher." It's all about production. I don't care if the guy can run a 3.5 40. Production trumps all else. The one thing the Jets front line is missing is constant pressure on the QB. Ray gives this team that. If one of the QB's, a stud WR or a good trade isn't there at 6, the Jets should probably take Ray. The Jets don't need anymore OLB/ DE's who can't rush the QB. That is their most pressing need upfront on D.
I'm coming around to the idea of Fowler at #6. Of all the pass rushing 3-4 OLB candidates I think he is the best at setting the edge. We need that skill set in order to replace Pace. I'm up in the air on who to take at 6 if Mariota, Fowler and Cooper are all available. I'm leaning to the order in which I typed them.
You're probably right. It's definitely not out of the question to take an LT there, however. Brick needs to be replaced sooner rather than later, and LTs are quite often, if not usually, high first round picks.
Ray just has this unstoppable motor the pops off the screen when you watch mizzou. Reminds me of the way Sheldon plays on never giving up on a play but much more explosive off the edge. If the qb's are gone y0u have to go with ray, he is the missing piece to having that "elite" pass rushing group we need.
i've been leaning more and more towards Fowler as our pick (if Mariota off the board). the motor is crazy, he can pass rush, and he's stout at the edge. overall, i agree, Mariota, Fowler, Cooper, then look at White, Ray or a couple of the OT's (Flowers, Collins, Peat).. good news for us, there are at least 6 really good players, so we have to get one of them right? I'm hoping for one of the first 3.
What scares me about Fowler is his lack of production. His measurables and athleticism are off the charts but that little voice in the back of my head keeps whispering Gholston. Anyone else see that or am I just being paranoid?
I don't think he had a lack of production. Out of everyone in the NFL, he reminds me most of Justin Houston from KC. If you look at their college stats in comparison, it is very similar. Fowler looks nothing like Gholston. You can't look at stats and just equate that to Gholston, you have to look at the tape, compare the two in that regard. I am a big Ohio State fan, I watched a lot of Gholston prior to him being drafted by us, I wanted nothing to do with the guy then. I knew it would be bad, I didn't think he was a great player for Ohio State. His production came against extremely shitty teams in college. Gholston was very stiff, a one trick pony with no bend. I don't see that with Fowler.
