I couldnt possibly think of a better situation for the JETS to draft a safety than to consider George Iloka from Boise State. Solid proven college career. 6-4 225!! Had the longest arms of any safety there. Very decent BP, 40 stats. If this guy is there in the 3rd round, I can't possibly see passing on him. Not interested in spending a 2nd rounder on him. Covering the TE in general is such a glaring weakness of our team - here is an excellent opportunity to fix it in the 2012 draft. Like it or not, we are going to have to do something in the offseason that specifically addresses the Gronkowski situation. This kid Sean Richardson from Vanderbuilt is intriguing as well.......later in the draft.
I was going to post about him n the combine thread on pretty much the exact same thing. He got a TON of praise at the combine for displaying great athleticism in the position drills. He was interviewed too and seemed like he had a really good head on his shoulders- determined kid who loves football and seems like he would be a good locker room guy. I would love back to back Boise picks with Martin and him. He has IDEAL size for a safety covering a TE. He would provide the needed size and athleticism the middle of the defense lacked. The last 3 games this year, he played CB as well, and throughout his career he spent most of his time over the TE or slot receiver... so yeah, he can cover. I would love him in the 3rd round. He seemed like he has decent hands (not sure on his tackling because I havent seen much tape on him) and he had fluid hips.
I like him as a prospect but he wont make that immediate impact we need, it will take him a few years to start if he can. He will get over drafted as well because of this weak safety class, I would CONSIDER him in the 3rd but frankly safety is not the way to go for us in the top 3 rounds, maybe not even the entire draft. We need a veteran not a rookie.
Anyone who has seen more of Iloka who can describe him better, it would be greatly appreciated. He seems to look the part and fill the role of what we need at the position, outside of consistent reports that say "poor tackler." I think it's sort of unlikely that we find an answer at safety in this draft. -X-
I've watched every game George has played in his college career. I wouldn't say he's just a scheme player at all. He's started games since his freshman year so experience wouldn't be an issue either. The best thing I noticed about George is that he's a sure tackler. I don't think I can remember him missing a tackle, he occasionally took bad angles, but always wrapped up. I'll admit I'm pretty biased, but would love to see him play for the Jets.
There's a great interview with him at the combine on nfl.com... can't post links yet, but worth checking out.
Didn't watch any film on him, but watching the DB's workout today he did not impress me at all. He looked really stiff and wasn't fluid with his change of direction. He wouldn't be a Good fit for what we really need in a safety.
Ill help you out, I believe this is what youre talking about: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/09000d5d82745290/Iloka-dazzles-scouts
What I think intrigues the scouts and the NFL in general is Iloka's size, 6' 4" and long arms. The NFL is looking for players to cover the "new breed" Tight Ends. For a big guy Iloka is pretty good on his feet, not as fluid as a smaller DBs. If the Jets wait until their Rd 3 pick to draft Iloka or H Smith they will be gone. Jet's might have to trade up in Rd 3 or back in Rd 2 and pick up another pick. I'm betting the Jets will get at least 2 comp picks, maybe 3, so they at least can't trade those picks. Right now, I don't want to use pick # 47 on Iloka or Smith things could change depending on pro day work outs and free agency.
These are my thoughts exactly. Iloka might not even be there at #47 -- someone might fall in love with his size and athletic ability.
Wouldn't mind adding Brandon Taylor from LSU or Winston Guy Jr from Kentucky... in the later rds of course. Taylor -> http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/brandon-taylor?id=2532958 Guy Jr -> http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/winston-guy?id=2533345
Keith Tandy CB West Virginia I'm going to mention this guy's name anytime someone mentions a safety. IMO he would be a steal in the 5th Rd and although he might not start right away, he could contribute on special teams.
I'm tending to agree more and more with this. Despite the talent level at safty not beign the highest, they are still goign to go off the board quickly this year. Too many teams need too much help at the position for guys like Smith, Iloka, or Martin to last to the mid third. They are probly all gone by the time the late second rolls around. If we do not target a Saftey in round two, we are getting a project, not a starter.
I agree, it works both ways. Lack of quality safeties on the top end of the draft will push a few second tier players up in the draft. Some teams will reach for a player based on lack of #s. Just a feeling, I think the Jets will be looking at Safety in Rd 2 and could reach for Iloka. I like Tanny, he's made a few excellent trade ups in the draft, Revis & Harris, but IMO, he panics at times and moves up for a player when it wasn't needed and over drafts a player based on need. The Jets (Tanny) seem to get focused on a certain player and lose sight of the entire board. The Jet's biggest flaw in later rounds is not drafting the BPA. Scotty boy?? was the BPA available? I'm more of a BPA person, and hate reaching for players.
I'm actually inclined to disagree on 1 point. It seems to me that over the last couple/few drafts, the safety position (even when its a need for a team, i.e. the JETS), has fallen behind most (if not all) other positions in terms of value. Last year, the first S was selected #45. Obviously, you have your Eric Berry / Earl Thomas / Kenny Phillips / Landry / Griffin / Nelson in the 1st round --- and in retrospect, almost half those guys might even slip into the 2nd round. But when you look at those 2nd and 3rd rounders over the past few years, you're not seeing impact players. Some might say that "well that happens at all positions." But what I have come to believe is that the safety position itself is behind all others in terms of importance. Maybe thats what explains even our team's our lack of interest for the position in the draft. That said, I am still high on Iloka in the 3rd --- he could be there because I think the S/LB tweener thing hurts him more than it helps him. At that point, he'd be a good fit. Just my opinion.
I understand what your saying, but this year I think the value/need on Saftey is about to flip the other way. There are a lot of teams that are looking for help at the position and not a ton of talent to go around. Thats why I think the top 4 guys could very well go in the mid to late second or early third at the latest. There is around 10 teams that could/should be looking at the position, if not more and there sure as hell is not 10 bodies to fill the need.
