I would be 100% on board with picking the best O Lineman available in both the 1st and 2nd round, whoever they are. It's time for an overhaul. Having Brick and Mangold anchoring our line year after year without thinking twice about it, was a huge luxury for us.
Mangold still has another year or 2 left in the tank. He was playing great until the injury. Hopefully he can be back in time for the Patriots game, they are going to need him. The Jets don't usually win with him out. Last week was the first I can remember. Either way the Jets do need to start overhauling the line with youth. They should have been doing that already, IMO.
Mangold is still a top Center in the NFL. He just has been hurt this year. If the Jets move on from him this offseason, his career will not be over. Someone would sign him instantly and plug him in to start.
It's just the tenor of the thread, really. I wouldn't have a problem if we decide to cut him. As far as I'm concerned, we will likely need to replace both tackles next year. That's a tall order if we need a center too. Winters has looked better, but he's not some All-Pro guard and neither is Carpenter. To insert three new lineman (two of which would most likely have to come from the draft), could be tough. If anything I'd almost hope we keep Mangold for one more year to ease the transition.
By mentioning Robinson ('Bama OLT) and Procic (LSU center) I wasn't inferring that now's the time to move on from Mangold - hardly. I only mentioned those two because they were playing on the same field last night and the NYJ OL as a whole has to be addressed. Cam Robinson was my pick before the game and he still would be my pick unless Deshawn Watson (assuming his shoulder's ok) or Myles Garrett slid down, but it's still waay too premature speculating on just how the '17 draft order will shake out. After watching Bama-LSU last night, Robinson's still the pick. Procic is fairly agile but can be bull rushed. Actually Bozeman (Alabama C) looked like he might develop into a better choice in the '18 draft (that is when he wasn't lunging and getting his off-balanced ass thrown aside by LSU DT Greg Gilmore). Call me crazy but: if someone offered the Jets a high enough 1st round pick for Sheldon that would guarantee drafting Jonathan Allen (while taking Cam Robinson with the other 1st rd pick), I'd do it.
I did wonder in the last draft if we would go for Ryan Kelly in the 1st Round, as he could play any of the three interior positions on the offence line and he could be groomed to fill Mangold's position when Nick's play starts to go downhill or injuries strikes.
Well. It sucks that looking forward to this years draft, it's weak in tackles and seems to be somewhat strong in interior lineman. Of course, coming in a year that we do not need interior lineman outside of eventually needing a center.
