So, being the Jets GM is hard, only made more difficult by the fact that I couldn't make any trades, trades that the Jets so desperately need to make. I learned a lot of things about value and what positions make sense where. Here are some of those items that stick out in my mind... 1. The Jets need to trade down. - No shit. The value just isn't going to be there at 29, and any player they really like at that spot is worth the risk if it comes with more mid round picks. The guys that they would find early or middle of the second would be still be good first picks for the Jets, I honestly believe that. 2. The Jets may actually trade up. - If the Jets continue to find good deals on released players then they may actually say "screw it" and go get someone. As crazy as the idea is, I could see them limiting the positions to target in the draft and making a move for a serious player. 3. Slot receivers are slot receivers, potential #1's are more valuable. - The Jets can find a slot WR anywhere from Rd 1 to Rd 6, all would have the same impact on the 2010 New York Jets. A similar impact would also come from a kid with #1 WR potential, the difference being that he's going to be a top of the line guy as opposed to at best a good #2. Basically, don't draft Tate if Thomas is there, but if you pass on him just get a speedy slot guy at the tail end of the draft. Manny Sanders, Jeremy Williams, or Kyle Williams will have near the production at a quarter of the price. 4. Pass-rushing OLB is just as deep as I thought. - There are more 34 rush linebackers in this draft than any draft I've ever seen. Of course, most don't have actual LB experience, but many seem like they have the skills to succeed. The Jets aren't going to emerge from this draft without adding another player at this position, I'm sure of that, and they have a huge pool of players to pick out their favorites. I'm just excited to see which guy they think fits their system best. 5. If the Jets don't go Safety early, they probably won't. - As possible it is the Jets try and land a safety early in the draft, if they don't get a guy who will crack that rotation for decent PT, it's not going to be addressed. Pool, E Smith, and Leonhard are a good group, and Ihedigbo has a solid place on the team. 6. Whatever position isn't addressed on the OL will be a high pick next year. - I got caught deciding between going for an OT or an OG, so I went with a kid that could play either. In reality, even if Slausen is good, they could still use a player at each position. Versatility will be key though, meaning if they go OG they should find someone that can play Center in a pinch, or an RT that wouldn't be a total waste at LT. 7. Running Back is only an option late. - Until Leon goes, the door is nearly shut on grabbing a back from this class, sadly. I got Stafon Johnson in the 7th because he was just good value, and a healthy Johnson in a big upgrade over Chauncey now and in the future. That's all I got for now, but definitely an eye opening mock. After seeing how it all went firsthand, there would have definitely been a few things I'd change.
I think the main thing you learned is that it's not easy to please Jets fans when it comes to the draft.
You were in quite the unenviable position by the time #29 came around, and I'm intrigued by the Sapp selection now that you've explained your reasoning. I agree completely that, barring an unforeseen drop, trading back would be a huge benefit. It's just a matter of finding someone who wants to trade up. The only problem is that most teams trading up into the end of the 1st package a future 1st, and we want our picks to be in this year's draft.
Excellent analysis. Right now I'm hoping that someone unexpectedly falls a bit in the 1st round, which happens in almost every draft. Graham or Kindle would be sweet.
I agree with everything said in the original post and have thought it for a while now. Nice to see it work in practice. I'd love 2 2's and and three and come out with a combo like Nate Allen, Wooton/Alau, and Ben Tate. Moving up could get us a Graham or Kindle. Our best chances for moving down are Cle,SF or the Raiders if theydont get McNabb. We have to pray someone falls in love with Colt McCoy, Mays or a reciever.
Is it just me or does this seem to be a main point/worry behind every one of Tannenbaum's drafts, aside from 2006?
I've been preaching that for quite some time. The numerous mocks I've done for the Jets got me very frustrated with the value of the players available. The value of the draft drops after pick 20-22 and the value remains consistent till mid -Round 2. The problem with trading out of #29......other GMs realize the same issue. Hopefully a certain team wants a specific player and is willing to make a move. An issue that hasn't been mentioned too often.......they're alot of 3-4 teams drafting ahead of the Jets. If the Jets stay at #29 they have to take the BPA, even if that player happens to be a WR or CB. The depth of 3-4 rush LBs this year, I'd pass on Hughes and Kindle and trade down for additional picks. Koa Misi, Thad Gibson, Jason Worilds, Ricky Sapp & Eric Norwood would be available in rd 2/3 and could be had with one of our picks in a trading down scenario.
Surely, you can't be serious. Jets fans are very trusting and almost always correct in their assumptions.:wink:
I hear a lot being mentioned about trading back from the first round, but what are the chances that we don't have another willing team who wants to trade up?
As you probably already know, the draft will be run differently this year. The draft goes off on primetime on a Thurs., and ends on round one. Then everyone gets 24 hours to reset and salivate. St. Louis can hold a ransom for their 2nd rounder and is looking to add picks. If someone wants to make a quick move, they'll have to get to the bottom of the first. That being said, it depends on the team and player. Who saw us moving to get Keller?
The new time schedule will actually make the draft a lot more boring. With teams resetting their boards and waiting out the day, teams won't shit their pants and make dumb trades because they've had a whole day to relax. Its going to take a lot of the 'wheeling and dealing' out of the draft and the pressure is going to go way down. As for Keller - there were 4 teams wanting him at the top of the 2nd round due to his impressive combine and attitude about football. The jets made a good move trading up. We almost forget Keller sometimes. If Sanchez uses him like he did in the playoffs, then the Jets wont need another big time WR. A role playing slot WR is all that is missing - find another Chansi Stuckey. Shouldn't be hard to do.
I think the best thing that could happen to us is Clausen free-falling. I've seen it happen in mocks, and it's made me believe he could actually be there at 29. The Vikings pick right behind us.. which would be a miracle come true if Clausen were to fall in their laps. So Clausen at 29 would be VERY intriguing for a team like maybe the redskins to trade up too.
This is really going to come down to how the actual draft board turns out. Based on this websites mock draft, maybe 29 was a bad spot, but hopefully on draft day, things will turn out different. I assume that most of us fans want DE, OLB or Earl Thomas, so we've got to get some help. There are a few things we need to route for on D Day. 5 or more tackles are drafted before our pick. 3 WR are gone before our pick (I don't want WR with our first pick unless we trade down) 3 CB are gone before our pick Taylor Mays gets picked with Earl Thomas on the board. Gresham goes before us. 4-3 players to be drafted before us- guys like Weatherspoon and Brian Price. Reaches-- every year some 2nd or 3rd round prospect by most standards is taken in the first. I think back to Buffalo in the year we drafted Brick, reaching twice in the first round. We need something like that to happen before 29. I really hope we can land someone like Graham, Odrick, or Earl Thomas but we will need some help.
draft I agree 100% on the slot reciever option. I would really like to get Jordan Shipley. He has good hands, runs great routes, and is versatile.
What's so bad about trading our 1st this year for a 1st next year? I'm not as draft-informed as many around here, but isn't next year's draft class supposed to be a strong one too and wouldn't a potential top ten pick next year be more valuable than #29 this year?
I think there were concerns about whether there will be a season at all next year with the CBA being negotiated. I heard there may be a draft whether they play or not, but I don't know.
Yes there would still be a draft. But this is one of the better drafts in a long time. You want to have as many picks this year as possible.
You might be right about it being boring but I think the teams willing to make moves will use the added time to work out and analyze trade packages across the board and not just with who's on the block.
I actually thought the Jets draft went over pretty well. In hindsight, I may have reached for Cam Thomas in the first and taken Norwood in the 2nd round, but that has more to do due with me not being a huge Sapp fan.
