I've been pretty inactive here in the Draft forum since a little incident a couple months back (how's Von doin btw?) but now that draft season is kicking back in, I'll start being a more frequent contributor once again. Unfortunately based on factors that many have already talked about in the Jets forum, it looks as though we might not be looking at the type of season we had all hoped for. Now we can definitely turn it around into a 10 win season and I wouldn't be surprised if we did, but this mock is based on us missing the playoffs and drafting anywhere from 15 to 20. I chose to draft only one linebacker in this draft because I'd like to see what Westerman and Maybin give us for the rest of the season. Obviously priorities can change, but I put a priority on bringing in two WR's and two offensive linemen in this draft after going LB in round 1. I would have liked to bring in a blocking Tight End somewhere but need to keep evaluating that position. Enjoy and any comments/criticism is welcome! 1. Vontaze Burfict LB, Arizona St.- With the way the Jets season could be heading, we might be drafting high enough to be in range to draft Vontaze. While he plays inside at Arizona St., and that would ultimately be his position with the Jets (and his optimal position), I truly believe he could play outside in Rex's defense. He is big enough and fast enough to play on the outside in our 3/4 and has shown his ability to be a stout run stopper and blitzer. He could really help our run defense which is a bit sucseptible on the edges. He is also a capable pass defender and has the ability to adequately guard most tight ends. This pick might meet a bit of aversion from some, but Vontaze's intensity, instincts, and motor would be great for this defense. He would eventually move inside once Bart has moved on. 2. Mohammud Sanu WR, Rutgers- Sanu has been arguably the top WR in all of college football this season. He has a great, great chance to improve his stock even further and move his way into the second half of the first round, but for now, i'll keep him in the middle of round 2. Has good size at 6 foot 2, 215 pounds, Sanu is a very physical receiver who, does not have great speed but has enough to get by. Could become one of the top possession receivers in the NFL in short time and has #1 receiver upside. Unfortunately I eventually see his stock soaring high enough where the Jets would have to take him in round 1 to have any shot at him. 3. Blake DeChristopher OT, Virginia Tech- Big, true right tackle prospect who has been a mainstay on the Hokies O-line for years. I would have really liked to address the O-line in the first two rounds but I saw too much value at positions of need with Burfict and Sanu. DeChristopher should eventually become a starter at right tackle for the Jets, but probably not right away, as he needs to keep improving his pass blocking skills. He has had a very good season to this point and if he keeps his strong play up he might be able to sneak into the end of the 2nd round or earlier in the 3rd. 4. T.Y Hilton WR, FIU- A true deep threat who would add some much needed speed to our offense. While hes small at 5 foot 10 and around 180 pounds, he has the potential to be a valuable contributor on both offense and special teams. Has been over 100 yards receiving 4 times already this season and although he plays at a smaller school (FIU), he showed in their game against Louisville (7 catches, 201 yards, 2 TD's) that he is not simply taking advantage of lesser competition. He's averaging 17.3 yards per reception this year and I could eventually see him in the same mold as smaller explosive guys like Emanuel Sanders. 5. Markus Zusevics OG/OT, Iowa- Iowa has a history of sending O-linemen to the NFL and Zusevics will be another in the long line of Hawkeyes along NFL O-lines. Is versatile and can play both inside and outside, however he probably is suited better at the guard spot at the NFL level. Will add good depth to our O-line. Could end up being picked higher than this. 6. Janzen Jackson S, McNeese St.- Here i'm taking a chance on a player who was once seen as a top prospect but ran into some (multiple) off the field issues. At Tennessee, Janzen was a beast playing with and eventually taking over for Eric Berry at the back end of the Volunteer defense. Is a playmaker and a ballhawk who had 5 picks in 2010 and is very good in coverage. A worthy risk reward pick IMO at a position where we could really use a guy who can cover TE's and the middle of the field. Many believe his coverage skills are so good he could play CB as well. 6. Bryan Anger P, Cal- A good punting game is a big advantage for a football team. As of right now, TJ Conley is just not getting it done and is too inconsistent. He could turn it around, but as of now, I view punter as a legitimate need for this football team. Anger is arguably the top punter in the nation, along with Drew Butler of Georgia.
I like this draft a lot. Burfict is one of my favorite players in the country. I could see Rex Ryan loving this kid. Taking two wideouts is something I'm very big on. Both of those guys would be nice picks...I can't see Mo Sanu getting into the first because of Jeffery, Blackmon, Broyles, and Floyd. Instead of a late round interior lineman, I'd like to see us draft a blocking tight end. In my opinion, Wisconsin offensive linemen would fit in well here. DeChristopher is an underrated tackle prospect, but Josh Oglesby and Kevin Zeitler are more physical.
Thanks! I love Burfict too, he will be a stud in the NFL. I was looking for a blocking TE but its just such an underwhelming position IMO this year and I need more time to evaluate. Any ideas? (I like Williams at Bama but not sure if he'll come out or not). Zeitler and Oglesby were both on my radar, as well as Zebri Sanders (later round).
I really like Ohio State's Jake Stoneburner. He's an underrated blocker that is dangerous in the passing game. I've been thinking about including him in my first mock...haven't decided yet. NC State's George Bryan is probably the best blocking tight end in this draft. He has great size too - almost 270. Auburn's Philip Lutzenkirchen has experience at fullback, H-Back, and tight end. Then there's Vandy's Brandon Barden that has good size, but needs to become better blockers. Stanford's CobyFleener and Clemson's Dwayne Allen are similar to Aaron Hernandez. Great receivers that can't block for shit. If this team opts to only draft one wideout, we could go after another receiving tight end - Baltimore and New England have changed the game with that kind of offense.
If he was on a TE friendly team, I have no doubt he'd be regarded as top 3 at the position. He's a big, athletic target with great hands, but also so good at blocking that Auburn plays him at LT during gadget plays.
As much as I love Burfict, don't you see this pick as a Luxury grab? I understand the concept of BPA, and understand that he could play OLB but I feel like we are reaching at need here. If we grab Burfict and he eventually plays ILB aren't we limiting his ability by having him playing Barts role? Or limiting Harris' ability by Harris playing Bart's role? Then what becomes of Josh Mauga? I understand Mauga didn't cost us anything but it seems like he is on his way to becoming a starter for this team, why would we draft someone to stop that from happening? Just conversation...........
I think Burfict has the skillset, size and instincts to stick outside if they believe that's where he should stay. Watching him play I've come to realize what an instinctive and good pass rusher he really is. If we drafted him I'd see him start out outside, if he excels he stays out there (even past when Bart is gone) and can backup ILB when and if needed. I would only move him back inside if he showed he was not able to stay inside, but to me, that should be no problem for him. Thanks for the feedback!
Burfict is an incredible talent. Burfict has to go the right team and have a Coach that can keep his extra curricular antics under control. Burfict can be a loose cannon. Rex would be an excellent coach to keep him in check. VB is a top ten talent, but will probably be selected in the mid teens. Sanu is a great player, and can be a WR diva type. Depends where Blackmom, Jeffery, Floyd and Fuller are drafted where Sanu will come off the board. DeChristopher is a possiblity, we need another big Tackle. Ty Hilton is on everyone's radar, his stock is rising. Westy would love Hilton, if Kerley takes a bigger role as the number #3 WR, Hilton could be a wise move. I think Hilton is going to be drafted in Rd 3, he's super athletic. Really solid mock.
If Vontaze Burflict is available, we'll HAVE to take him. I'm just skeptical about availability (basically means our team would shit the bed in 2011). VB is an instant impact player -- we could move him or Bart Scott outside - Rex plays multiple schemes anyway. You say Sanu, I say Dwight Jones of UNC - but we probably couldnt go wrong with either. DeChristopher is a long time starter for the Hokies,....I wouldnt mind him. I disagree w/the 2 WR philosophy (contrary to popular opinion) because we NEED A SAFETY!!! Janzen wont make it - even if our risk is a 6th rounder. Therefore leaving us with no safety again. Besides, drafting TY Hilton is a waste as long as Schotty is OC. He'll go on the enlarging list of "Weapons We Failed To Utilize!"
Apparently the reason that people didnt like Cam Jordan last year was because they thought he was "goofy". If that makes him fall to the end of the first round I cant imagine how arguably the badest man in college football could fall. Simply put Burfict is an ultra talented linebacker and some team will be very happy with him
Burfict is easily my #1 choice for the Jets. He's exactly what we need. Like the rest, although I'd go FS in the 4th. Not a big deal though.
I've always wondered how Burfict can translate on the outside. He has underrated pass rushing ability. My lone fear as its always been is that he had always been a magnet for yellow flags. To his credit, he's changed that quite a bit this year and seems to have matured but who knows if he's really changed or if he's just trying to stay on his best behavior for the draft next year. Can Rex be the disciplinary figure to keep Burfict in check if he gets too wild? That's the thing I want to see. Like the Sanu pick alot. Seen a few Rutgers games and he has impressed me quite a bit. I think we draft just 1 WR and then grab a veteran WR in free agency. Good to go after S and RT though in this draft.
Our ILBs blitz quite a bit. I guarantee you that most fullbacks in this league won't want to take Burfict on. He will fuck their worlds up. He's one of the angriest players I've ever watched. I'm calling it right now: Vontaze Burfict is the next Ray Lewis. He brings that kind of intensity to the game.
Thanks for the feedback everyone! Since I dont know how to multi-quote i'll just respond to everyone here. RE: Burfict- I agree, Burfict is a top 10 talent that will fall because of his being a bit of a loose cannon. But Arizona St. is undisciplined in general, they are the 8th most penalized team in Division 1-A football. Not saying that is the reason for his antics but i'm sure it has something to do with it. Also, Hilton is a straight baller, and unfortunately WW85 you are right, he will probably end up in round 3 come the draft. If I'm given the choice between drafting a Safefy in round 4 and taking Janzen Jackson in Round 6 while picking up a nice player like Hilton in round 4, I go Janzen every time. He is a risk, a big risk, i'm not denying that, sometimes these ultra talented guys that get these extra chances make the most of it, sometimes they don't. But Janzen Jackson is as talented as any Safety in this draft (IMO) and taking a chance on him in round 6 while picking up a receiver like Hilton in round 4 would, in my opinion, be the best way to go.
I feel that with Kerley we don't necessarily need Hilton (he would be nice but would be a luxury IMO). And besides with Schitty here he wouldn't use him to his strengths anyway.
