First stab at it for 2025. There might be some wishful thinking here -- but the draft has historically had some surprises. This year's draft will be held in Green Bay at Lambeau (I think). Round 1) our own pick 7 Mason Graham DT Michigan 6-3 318. There’s actually a decent chance that Graham is here at 7th overall. If so, - it’s a no brainer for me. Pairing him with Quinnen Williams would not only restore Williams play from a 2024 “off” season performance, but also create great opportunities for Jermaine Johnson & Will McDonald coming off the edge in the pass rush. Am trying to build the team that can compete in the division battles vs the leading Buffalo Bills, to compete vs their O-line w/the running game & Josh Allen constantly scrambling up the middle. Round 2) our own pick 42 Jihaad Campbell ILB Alabama 6-3 244 As much as I loved Jamien Sherwood’s play this year – I don’t think the incoming new regime will re-sign him. Converting him from safety to LB was the previous regime's idea. The combo of both Sherwood & Quincy W. is just too undersized for me going up against running Josh Allen in the division. Campbell has ideal frame. Great length. Super athletic fluid moves so well for size & great sideline to sideline speed. Very good in coverage. Can also line up to blitz if need be. Round 3) #74. No pick. Our own pick was sent to Las Vegas for Davante Adams. Ugh Round 3) 2024 Draft trade-down w/Detroit -- projected #96 overall Ajani Cornelius OT Oregon 6-5 315 This kid has a got a great story. Grew up in Harlem & then went to Catholic school in White Plains NY commuting 1.5hr each way on buses & trains for 4 YEARS in order to get recruited for college football. He went to URI for 2yrs & then transferred to Oregon & ended up All Big Ten 3rd Team. This is the kind of guy that would be part of the culture change of the NYJ over the new few years. I’d plug him at RT. I just have a feeling. Plus I have no faith in either Max Mitchell or Carter Warren. Round 4) our own pick 109 Mason Taylor TE LSU 6-5 255 I'll definitely be told this is way low, - but as now = this is his area (99-109). Maybe I should get the hint already that Jeremy Ruckert isn’t as good as a 3rd round draft pick is expected to be. Again – a new regime will probably want to get their own players & 2025 season is Ruckerts last rookie contract year. Taylor has really developed at LSU. Versatile TE runs solid routes & can hold his own in the run game. Good hands (can’t say that about Ruckert). This guy has the bloodlines for sure. Father is HOF Jason Taylor & Uncle is HOF Zach Thomas. Round 5) our own pick 145 Lathan Ransom S Ohio State 6-1 210 Dear God, - we need a safety. Entirely a position pick. Ransom was 1st team All-Big Ten. If Ransom isn't here, then take Tyler Batty DE BYU 6-5 273 Making a backup pick here only because I am trying desperately to get a replacement for Michael Clemons. He was only playing because Jermaine Johnson got hurt. Normally I say keep a guy for his final rookie year contract because the $$s make sense & we don’t have roster luxury this year or next, --- but I’m just sick of this guy & I can’t stand the sight of him in a NYJ uniform any longer. He gets blocked out of every play in 1 on 1s by TEs. Not to mention the scuffles & fights & stupid penalties drive me nuts. 4th rounds of draft & later are our chances to find the Maxx Crosbys + Matt Milanos of the league. Round 5) Pittsburgh Steeler’s pick from the Mike Williams WR trade --- projected # 158 Jack Bech WR TCU 6-2 215 Can I find the next Puka Nacua? This kid led LSU in receptions as a freshman in 2021 when guys like Kayshon Boutte, Brian Thomas Jr. & Malik Nabers were on the roster. Transferred to TCU after Brian Kelly took over LSU in 2022 & started mucking things up. Not the fastest but great route runner with solid hands. Round 6) our own pick 186 Kyle McCord QB Syracuse 6-3 220 Again -- there are projects of him going anywhere from 3rd round to late day 3/even UDFA. Why not? So desperate to get anything going at QB. NJ native. I believe this guy could turn into a serviceable pro. Couldn’t be worse than spending the #2 overall pick on Zach Wilson. Did well at Ohio State in 2023 but then really lit it up 2024 at Syracuse with less support (granted inferior competition). The challenge for NYJ is finding som QB coach who could actually develop either McCord or Jordan Travis. Round 6) Pick from the Denzel Mims TB/Detroit trade years ago --- projected # 196 Connor Colby OG Iowa 6-5 308 Just can’t go wrong with Iowa guards. Need to build depth here with John Simpson contact up after 2025 (but I’d emphasize re-signing Simpson as he played great in 2024) & in case we let AVT go after 2025. Colby has played/started for 4yrs at Iowa making All Big Ten teams at some level each year. Watching the Buffalo Bills constantly employ an extra lineman on running downs. Round 6) KC’s pick from the Mecole Hardman trade -- projected # 208 Cody Simon LB Ohio State 6-2 235. NJ native. We need some LBs. This position was entirely ignored by Joe Douglas. 7) no pick ---- went to KC in the Mecole Hardman trade
Ah we finally get to spend that valuable 7th round pick we got for Denzel Mims, the pride of the St Louis Battlehawks. I like those picks.
I like the players but I’m out on going defense-defense. I’m too battered from scoring 11 points a game with a good defense and losing. I think McCord is going to fly up draft boards when the QB hype is all said and done. His tape is pretty good and he has a rocket arm. I saw reports of Taylor being a 5th-6th round pick a month ago and it didn’t make sense cause he was a good tightend at LSU. I like where you have him if we can get him.
