My post combine Mock is probably different than most, especially my Round 1 selection. 2 comp picks added, which is my guess. Round 4 & 7. Free Agent signings: Jarret Johnson Chad Henne Vernon Carey Braylon Edwards Round 1) DONT'A HIGHTOWER, LB, BAMA....one of my favoite players and IMO, the best defensive player on the Champ's defense. Ingram, DeCastro, Upshaw, Floyd were all gone. Hightower can play any LB position and he is primed to take over from the departed Bart Scott, which I expect. Too many people underrated Hightower, he's a force. Hightower can play inside or out, but is best used inside. Round 2) TRUMAINE JOHNSON, DB/S, MONTANA....has played CB, but is expected to transition to Safety in the NFL. Had a solid combine, good size and can cover very well. I expect TJ to start from day 1. Round 3) MITCHELL SCHWARTZ, OT, CAL....a very underrated player that had a great career at Cal. 6'6"/320 with good feet and an excellent run blocker. A player that would be a solid player to develop a year or so before starting. Solid depth behind Carey at RT. Wayne Hunter's days are numbered, don't believe Tanny's take. Round 4) RONNIE HILLMAN, RB, SAN DIEGO ST....Hillman is the BPA. Only 5'91/2" and 200 but plays bigger. Explosive player that can make huge plays for lots of yards. The Jets need to replace LT, and Joe McK is not a #2 back. Hillman has a huge upside and would be a steal in Rd 4. Much better player than Bilal Powell who was overdrafted in rd 4 last year. Round 4 comp) BRANDON BROOKS, OG, MIAMI, OH....snubbed from the combine, a big man over 340. Brooks could be a starter very early, he's a solid run blocker. An upgrade from the injured Slauson. Round 5) MARVIN JONES, WR, CAL.... could eventually be a #2 WR. Holmes, Edwards, Kerley, Jones...sounds solid to me. Has looked good against solid competiton. Round 6) CHASE FORD, TE, THE U....not many know much about Chase Ford. A player that doesn't have much experience, but has a lot of potential. Has solid hands and can make some big plays for big yards. Patience is the key with Ford, I think Tony S could help his career. Round 6 Lowery trade from Jax) DESMOND MARROW, CB, TOLEDO....I follow the MAC fairly closely and Marrow is one of it's best defensive players. Bright spot on a weak defense, Toledo is about putting up offensive #s. Round 7)....to Green Bay for Schlauderaff. Round 7 comp) VAUGHN MEATOGA, DT/NT, HAWAII....hard working DT adding some depth.
Like the first 5 picks. Hightower has the ability to become something special in a Rex Ryan defense. Johnson is a guy I like at the safety spot. I think he is as good an option as just about anyone in this class. I love Brooks. I don't get why he wasn't on the combine list. For those who want to see an athletic OL, go check out what this guy did at his pro day. His numbers are eerily similar to Dontari Poe. Marvin Jones, I think he is gone by the middle of the 5th myself, plus there is something about the guy I don't like. Not that I can put my finger on it, he just doesn't feel like a guy who can develop into something more to me. Which isn't exactly the most quantifiable evidence ever... Besides, I think the Jets really like Gerrell Robinson. Granted he has impressed a lot of people, and could go earlier than the 5th as well. As to the TE's, the class is just so piss poor, I would rather just shop the minimum FA market than go with a TE in this class. I realize Ford has potential, but I just don't feel anybody in this class beyond the top 2, Orson Charles and Coby Fleener will amount to much. I don't see anybody worth drafting that late as having much more impact long run than a UDFA will, especially since a UDFA (Nick Provo perhaps?) would likely stick on the PS and wouldnt need to be put on the 53 to avoid being stolen from our PS like a DP would. As far as comp's go, I would bet the Jets get 3. Ellis, Drew Coleman, and Edwards. also even though we might lose a pick for Schlauderoff (or we might not), we also likely get something back for Lowery. It will be nice to know what the hell our DP situation is come the end of the month.
When you list the free agent signings, are they more of the prominent signings or actually all? Because I can't see the Jets not signing/drafting a blocking TE or 2. Nothing against Chase Ford, but he's not gonna be a blocker anytime soon(or a contributor for that matter). Other than that, I love that offseason. I do question if Brooks will be there at the comp section of the 4th, but around where you have Hillman. Don't know much about Marrow, but I trust you're analysis of him.
Jones had a great Senior Bowl week, I was impressed. He was able to separate from good CBs. Normally, Jones should be gone by Round 5, but the depth at WR may push him down. Schlauderoff I believe is a done deal, we gave up a 7th round pick, I don't remember any conditions.
It was a conditional pick, that I do remember. Because everybody was thinking we traded Lowery for a conditional, which we then swapped to GB for Schlauderoff. But that has since been disproved. Whether the condition was he is still on the roster at the end of the season, or whether it was he has to start 16 games, I have no idea. As for this WR class, I think the 3rd round - 5th round guys are extremely fluid. I doubt there is any real consensus as to who goes where. Somebody we had pegged as 3rd round guy, will end up going in the 6th, while somebody we had pegged as a 5th rounder, is going to go in the late 2nd - early 3rd. It's really going to depend on which team falls in love with who...
I should have gone into more depth on my final roster. I have the Jet's signing Billy Bajema. He should come fairly cheap and is a decent blocker. I believe a few years ago when the Rams signed Bajema the Jet's were in the running and very interested. Chase Ford is a scary player, he can create mismatches, but doesn't have the experience. Ford is worth a late round pick based on potential.
Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear. Bajema would be a solid addition as the Jets' blocking TE and offers a little more in the hands department. I also have a few names to throw out as UDFA targets as potential blocking TEs, but I'll save them for closer to the draft. You know, when I know for sure they won't be drafted And I understand the talent you're trying convey with Ford, it just loads up the Jets with passcatchers more so than blockers at TE. I know Baker or Cumberland may not be on the Jets come next season, but still. I guess Turner could be considered in with the blocking TE once again. Now if Keller if moved during the draft, I don't know what to think about the position...
Interesting, what I like about the Hightower pick is that it gives us flexibility and speed in our 3-4 and on passing downs where we would like to keep two of our inside guys in. Love the the Trumain Johnson pick, im interested to see how a good cover corner can transition to safety.
I like Hightower in the first, especially with the recent news Scott is less likely to come back. I'm a fan of Johnson but I think a lot will depend on what happens in free agency. I'd love to see them go after a guy like Reggie Nelson to free open that draft slot. How do you compare Schwartz to Bobbie Massie? Are you thinking Massie is going to be gone by the mid-3rd?
arrgghhh - ANOTHER rb in the 4th round... seriously WW - thanks bro - u rock with this stuff. i am actually following the draft more now than i have in years, mostly due to posters such as urself.
As much as I love Hightower (I'm a huge Alabama team fan) & the guy is versatile as hell, I'm just not sure its the "right" pick at 16 overall. Trumaine Johnson is a top notch safety in the passing game - but with Revis & Cro at the corners & former 1st rounder Wilson coming in on the nickel & dime, I believe we already have solid pass coverage --- I just think we need more of a thumper back there coming up in run support. I love the Mitchell Schwartz pick -- the guy is totally under-rated and overlooked because he was in the PAC-12 with other standouts (Kalil & Martin). I've been trying to find a spot for him in my mock and he could very well go sooner than our spot in the 3rd. I like Brooks as well - mauler. IMO, this kid is going to be the OT sleeper of this year's draft. I like Hillman, but the past years' drafts of RBs in the 4th round has made me gun-shy about YET ANOTHER 4th round pick on a RB. Can Marvin Jones be a #2? WTF happened to our boy BJ Cunningham???????!!!!!!!!
Love that Tru pick, he's a ball hawk safety. The small school thing keeps him under the radar, absolutely love the first two picks
Hold on, Jets need some one back there that can cover Tight ends, Tru has the size and speed to do that, best pick in this mock to be honest with you.
Nice work as always WW85. I'm going to go a couple of different ways but I could definitely get behind the Hightower pick.
I like the Hightower selection if he's tops on their board @ 16. Johnson is also a solid pick even if we sign Griffin. Schwartz is also good @ R3. Overall, you've done quite well.
Big fan of Hightower as a player, and I'd be behind the pick provided certain other guys aren't on the board. I like his potential to open up as a guy that can play inside 2 downs and slide outside on 3rd (which might even work better than getting a pure 34 OLB for a year). Johnson has the size the Jets need at safety, and I think he can be a really good player if a team slides him over there.
Appreciate everyone's comments. TCGF.....I like Schwartz's potential a little better than Massie. Massie could be an option in Rd 3. Schwartz seems like the perfect RT. Tedford has produced some quality players at Cal. WWS.....I 'm not down on Cunningham, he's MSU all-time leading receiver. one "small" concern, no pun intended, his hands are very small. The smallest hands I can remember of any WRs recently. The depth of this WR class is going to push Cunningham into rd 4 or 5 and some team will get a solid hard working player. Marvin Jones is going to be a #2 WR, he gets separation and has solid hands. GH.....I've done numerous mocks and expect Ingram, Upshaw, DeCastro, Floyd ( I don't think Tanny is going WR in Rd 1), Reiff, to be all gone be #16. The only 3 other players I would consider would be Glenn, Adams & Hightower. I think we can get a few good O-lineman later, which makes Hightower the selection. I've watched a lot of Bama tape lately and Hightower stands out, at least to me, as the best player on the field. He's relentless, strong and very smart. Scott's demise makes Hightower a great addition with Harris. Josh Mauga can also play in the middle, at times, and DH can move outside. Jilozzo....Hillman is a special talent, I'm taking a chance he's available in Rd 4, he might be gone in Rd 3.
simply for the fact if we draft Hightower, both our ILB's would be DH. we would need to be more specific going forward lol
Eh, not bad I like Hightower as a player and I agree that he is being undervalued, I just don't like him at 16.
Agreed. If we traded down into the 20's, I am perfectly fine with the pick. Hightower's health concerns alarm me and I can see him (somewhat) similar as to what McClain has been for Oakland.....somewhat damaged goods. I just don't know how Hightower's body can hold up in a 16 game season. I want a proven safety rather than a project safety. I would be kinda mad if we passed on Harrison Smith(Though I still don't think he's a round 2 guy) for Trumaine Jackson. I cannot say I have seen much of Jackson but while I don't doubt his cover skills, I do question if he can wrap up tackles on the behemoth TE's he will be facing moving forward. It doesn't even have to be Smith but I want a safety rather than a corner turned safety in the draft. I also want a KR/K/P in this draft, in large because I truly feel Westoff WILL get 1 pick of his own in the later rounds. Westoff said he hadn't seen such talent on ST out of this draft in a very long time and I think he's getting him someone. Much rather spend round 6 on one of these than another CB. I also kinda want a PROVEN No.2 WR. Jones might be Kerley 2.0, which is not bad at all but I don't know if he can be starting material. I would like bringing in Edwards but who knows if last year's was a fluke or if was something meaningful to come. Don't know if we address RB so late since Sparano LOVES that dual threat RB attack. Can't say I truly know many of the guys you have on here WW85 but my initial impression for the Jets draft was a little bit underwhelming.
