1). Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan. Can really just insert whatever name of the top remaining corner. I like Kyle Wilson a lot but my guess is he's going to shoot up after the combine where Warren may get overlooked. I think Warren is better then Ghee and Cox although McCournty is getting some publicity and may be a good choice here as well. Solid all around corner, comes from a program with a solid history of defensive backs, I think Warren would be a perfect #2 corner. 2) Eric Norwood, DE/OLB, South Carolina. I understand the wish for a guy who is strictly a pass rusher, but that kind of defeats the point of Rex Ryan's defense. You want versatility, and that's exactly what Norwood would give you. He's a good blitzer and also is good in coverage. I think he'd challenged Bryan Thomas as a starter from day 1. 5) Jeff Byers, OG/C, USC. A guy I liked this year then saw Mr. E's rundown on him and thought he'd be a great choice if he's still around. Has been plagued by injuries but would be a solid depth player for the middle of the line. At this point in the draft you're not looking for starters, it's either developmental guys or versatile guys that have a chance to help you right away. I like Byers as a guy that can backup a couple positions and probably make the team. 6.) Emmanuel Sanders, WR, SMU. Inflated numbers because of a pass happy offense, but has the tools to develop into a solid slot receiver. Another guy inMr. E's scouting report that has a better description http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=54206 7. Lorenzo Washington, DT/DE, Alabama Not that transitioning to a 3-4 DE is that difficult a move for most defensive tacklers, but Washington has experience playing the position on a top defense in the country. Prototypical size for the position, 6'5, 290. Isn't going to offer much as a pass rusher and most likely wouldn't be active every game for the Jets with the way they utilize defensive lineman, but has potential to stick on the 55 man roster.
This would be an awesome draft. I really hope that Eric Norwood falls to the end of the second. All of these picks make sense, and as of right now, are incredibly possible.
Not to nitpick, but wasn't versatility the staple of Mangini's administration? It seemed like Mangini wasn't happy unless his defensive players could cover, rush, tackle, man-up, play inside, play outside, etc. I feel like Rex is the anti-versatility guy. (That sounds weird, because what coach doesn't want a versatile player?) But I feel like Rex will identify the one thing a player does exceedingly well and design the gameplan to allow him to do just that. It's one of the reasons I'm really fascinated by Taylor Mays as our second round pick, lately. To me, he's a luxury, a back-up, a liability in coverage. But to Rex? Maybe he looks at a guy like Mays and thinks "I know exactly how to use that kid."
Rex loves versatility, especially in defensive backs. Taylor Mays would be an interesting pick, but only in the second round. I think he'd play a role similar to Eric Smith and James Ihedigbo - a safety that can move up in the box, cover the tight end, and get after the quarterback. Eric Norwood would provide a solid pass rush, and depth at both inside and outside linebacker. Eric Mangini was a retard. He put a lot of guys in unfavorable situations and it failed a lot of time. Ryan knows how to plug the right players into his scheme - that's something Mangini couldn't do.
Really good draft. Love the Warren pick and the order you drafted each position in. Personally though, I think Norwood is a bit of a reach there. We might be able to trade down and still get him.
