I'll admit this probably is not the most realisitic of mocks, but here goes: Pre-Draft Trades: 1. Dwayne Robertson to Tampa Bay for a 3rd and 4th rounders I know Robertson is the team's best D-lineman right now, but not only is he a questionable fit for this system, but his cap number ($12 million) is quite prohibitive right now. So clearing his salary will make it a lot easier to get the players we need in free agency. 2. Jonathan Vilma and the Bucs' 4th rounder to Detroit for their 2nd rounder Sadly the Vilma at ILB experiment just has not worked out. Notable Cuts: David Barrett, Justin McCareins Free Agency OT Maurice Williams (Jaguars). The 29-year-old has experience starting at both tackle and guard. With all the tackles that were tagged, he might be the best one on the free agent market. At 6'5" 315 he is best suited for the RT spot. OG Justin Smiley (49ers). He's a risk coming off of a torn labrum, but I think this will keep his cost at a sane level. He's only 26 and is athletic for the guard position. NT Ethan Kelley (Browns). A big body with experience in the 3-4 with Cleveland. RB Derrick Ward (Giants). He's coming off of an injury, but I personally thought he was better than Jacobs before getting hurt last year. Should come cheap. S Eugene Wilson (Patriots). He lost his starting job in NE, but knows the system and could be a bargain. WR Kelley Washington (Patriots). With all of the other moves, I don't think adding more established receiver is in the budget. I don't know if Washington is the answer as the #3 WR, but he does provide height (6'3") and if nothing else is an excellent special teamer. Draft: 1. Vernon Gholston OLB (6): Considering the state of the pass-rush last year, no explanation needed. Trade: pick #37 and Tampa's 3rd rounder to Dallas for pick #22 1A. Quentin Groves OLB (22): I know grabbing both Gholston and Groves may seem excessive, but you can never have enough pass rushers and this team is sorely lacking in that area. With Groves' combine I think his stock is rising and this trade allows the Jets to leap frog 3-4 teams like PIT, SF and MIA. 2. Dre Moore DE (46, from Lions): He may be rising up the draft boards after the combine, but I think he would be an excellent addition at DE. Has experience in the 3-4. Trade: NYJ's 3rd and 4th rounders in 08, 4th rounder in 09 to Houston for their 2nd rounder 2A. Ahytba Rubin NT (49). As one of the few true NTs in the draft, his stock seems to be on the rise. Again, I think a trade is required in order to prevent him from getting to one of the other 3-4 teams that pick before the Jets' 3rd rounder.
The free agent signings are terrible...and so is the draft. This draft has too much depth at too many positions to trade so many picks away. I like all of the guys that were selected, but we need a wideout, and an offensive lineman. We can't just draft players for the 3-4.
I'd be fine with drafting both Gholston and Groves if we weren't trading up for one of them. I hate trading up when you could be drafting overkill anyway.
