Offense definitely has to be a priority in this draft, but there's a reason why a pass rushing OLB is a marquis position in the NFL, and it's definitely a position of need. The only offensive skill player of the caliber of Barr or Mack would be Watkins IMO, and overall WR is an easier position to fill. This whole discussion is probably moot because I don't think any of the three players I just mentioned will be available at our pick.
People are going to slide. They slide every year. I was shocked when Star Lotulelei and Jarvis Jones were both still available at 14 last year. Not that I expected both of them to go above that but it was surprising to see both of them last that long. Sharrif Floyd was seen as a surefire top 10 pick until right before the draft and he lasted into the 20's. I'm guessing that one of the guys that we see as a clear cut top 10 player will be sitting around on the 18 for the Jets. Who it will be is unclear but every year somebody slides. That's why trading up is a losing proposition.
I am all for trading DOWN for this reason. With hard cap in place, draft + value FA acquisitions are the only viable ways to sustain winning franchise. In order to do that year in and year out, it is rather imperative that you install a successful system, with capable coaches overseeing the progress of the draftees and FA signees. Of course, you won't find that many value FA acquisitions - like Rodney Harrison - which is why you must maximize your potential with more draft picks.
Because he isn't. Houston is an OLB. Everyone is projecting Sam as a 3-4 DE. Who's he gonna push to the bench, Wilk? Richardson? Coples (when he plays DE)? The Jets need depth at DE, but Sam may go too high for the Jets to seriously consider him. They have to add some top talent on the offensive side of the ball, plus they have to get a LOT better at finding talent in the middle and lower rounds, and then get a LOT better at developing that talent.
That makes two of us. How about Dee Ford? Some are saying that after the Combine he's likely to be rated as a mid-first round pick. There's also CJ Mosley and Kyle Van Noy. Van Noy may not be as good a pass rusher as the others, but he has a lot of merit because he's equally good at playing the run and dropping into coverage. Failing one of those four or five, I want the Jets to add Attaochu at wherever he's rated. They seriously need to add that stud pass rusher. It will make the DBs they have better, and the overall D a lot better.
Or we could just blow our load on Greg Hardy and draft playmakers :grin: Just think- Richardson - Harrison - Wilkerson Coples - Harris - Davis - Hardy Honestly unstoppable.
I haven't seen that projection of him, its all been as an OLB. The kid played as an 4-3 DE in college and would be undersized as an 3-4 DE in my opinion.
I dont see the comparison tbh. He doesnt have the same explosion/bend that Houston has. I loved Houston when he was coming out, as Im sure a lot did. His burst was phenomenal off the LOS. I think Houston is a much better athlete. Sam is a 4-3 DE, not 3-4.
I may be mistaken, but am pretty sure I've seen him projected as a 3-4 DE as well. In any case, even if not, I do remember the source saying that they didn't see him as a 3-4 OLB at all. I haven't seen enough of him to say myself. I do know that he disappeared in their bowl game, and that always gives me pause.
I'm not sure Hardy could play as a 3-4 OLB. I think he's probably strictly a 4-3 DE. Regardless, I doubt Carolina lets him leave.
