16. New York Jets: Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw Upshaw is a thick, powerful kid who can line up all over the Jets 34 front and get after the passer. He’s got the power to win consistently on contact vs. both the run and pass game and would be the kind of “NFL ready” prospect the Jets would love to get in the middle of round one. 47. NY Jets: Harrison Smith SS, Notre Dame Isn't a guy you want to trust to run with receivers down the field. However, because of his solid natural range and instincts, I can see him getting over the top and making plays in a center field type role as an NFL strong safety. 77. New York Jets: Jeff Allen OG, Illinois He's not an overpowering run blocker, but can bend, gain leverage and seal inside. He's smooth and coordinated in pass protection, can keep his base down and warrants a higher grade because of it. Needs to play inside at the next level, but looks like a guy who can start in the league. 154. NY Jets: Vick Ballard RB, Mississippi State Possesses some natural running skills and is a strong kid who always falls forward. However, isn't going to break nearly as many tackles in NFL as he did in college and will struggle averaging over 4.0 yards per carry. A reserve only. 187. NY Jets: Jerrell Harris OLB, Alabama A throwback linebacker who can be a solid NFL contributor vs. the run game. Looks like a 34 guy only who needs to play in tighter areas, but isn't a real natural pass rusher. Nevertheless, he's a plus run defender with good size and instincts. Can offer some versatility inside as well. 202. NY Jets: T.Y. Hilton WR, Florida International He is limited where he can play in the NFL, however, he has the vertical skill set, play speed and ability after the catch to make his fair share of plays from the slot at the next level. 203. NY Jets: Jonathan Massaquoi DE, Troy An effective small-school pass rusher because of his length. However, isn't a real flexible kid, lacks a sudden/explosive element to his game and looks more like a reserve only to me. 232. NY Jets: Brandon Hardin FS, Oregon State Looks like a player who needs to transition to safety. I don't think he's a starter you can play in the deep half. However, if you're looking for a reserve in the box type safety who can add some talent to your special teams unit, Hardin is your guy. 242. NY Jets: Ishmaa'ily Kitchen DT, Kent State A thick, strong kid with some natural power and can be tough to move. Needs to improve pad level and overall technique when extending arms and fending off blocks. A size free agent who has some tools that will give him a chance to develop on a practice squad. 244. NY Jets: Matthew Masifilo DE, Stanford A try hard defensive lineman who fills a role about as well as you can at the college level. Should at least get a shot in a camp with a team looking for a shorter/stouter 5-tehcnqiue. However, he's just too limited athletically for me to think he can make an NFL roster.
The thing that bothers me about that draft is I see no star power in it. Nobody the Jets picked in the first three rounds projects to be an NFL star-caliber player. That's why the last two drafts blew chunks.
I would be happy if that was our draft - I picked Ballard as one of my top 10 fave prospects for the Jets as a later round pick.
Like the mock except for the 2nd round we already have a slow Smith at safety in Eric. Can't have Harrison, Eric and Leonhard again this year chasing TE all around the field. The Jets need a FS who could man the middle and deep patrol that is where teams found the Jets weakness. Then factor in zero pressure from the front and that was just too much time for offenses to shred the Jets.
I like the TY Hilton pick. He can fly.Late in the draft, those are the guys I want to take. I don't get teams that want to take safe picks in the late rounds. To me, that's where I want to draft workout warriors.
I can't help but laugh every time I read, hear someone say this or see a "low"-light of one of our safties chasing a TE down the field. It's just so comical how bad they were last year.
