I would be happy with that offseason (draft and FA signings). I am clearly thinking about the draft too much as last night I had a dream about the draft - we took running backs in the secound and fourth rounds! I wish I had remembered it clearly enough to recall the names to see if I was having some sort of Dirk Gentley episode.
I appreciate your comments, even though I strongly disagree. I really expected more people not liking my Hightower pick. I did mention that my draft was a little different. If you read my players' gone list....Ingram, Floyd, DeCastro, Reiff, Upshaw,...who would you select at #16??? Hightower isn't a reach at 16, he's undervalued by most. I've heard some Bama coaches liked Hightower better than McClain. The Championship game Hightower was the best defensive player on the field and with Upshaw, Barron, Claiborne that says a lot. I had basically 2 choices, IMO, Cordy Glenn and Hightower, I explained that I could get better value at the O-line position later rounds (Schwartz & Brooks) then I could at the LB postion Hightower can't be looked at just ILB, he's has moved around on Bama's defense and played outside too. His flexiibility would be an asset in our defense. Scott's career with the Jets is over, even if he signs at a lower salary, his skills have eroded. Josh Mauga isn't the answer, he's a good role player, Hightower could step in day one. If the Jets don't draft Hightower at #16, some team like Baltimore or Pittsburgh would be thrilled if slipped to the 20 range as you stated. Hightower isn't injury prone. Hightower's knee injury isn't a concern, he's 100% healed from over 2 years ago. BTW, that injury was a helmet to the knee on an illegal block. Hightower worked his butt off to get back and ready for 2010. He didn't have a great 2010, it was an injury that is difficult to be 100% in less than a year, so he didn't declare last year. Hightower's 2011 season was tremendous and he played at the highest, elite level. He also had a minor fracture in his hand, which he played thru, it wasn't an issue. My last comment about Hightower, he's a leader, dedicated and loves football. I think Magilla should comment about our differences of opinion on Hightower. He's objective even when it comes to Bama players. Trumaine Johnson has all the physical skill and size to play Safety. It was something quite a few of us mentioned before the Combine, and Mike Mayock confirmed it during the Combine he sees Johnson making the switch to Safety. Johnson had an opportunity to go to a higher profile School, but loved Montana. Schwartz and Brooks are 2 O-Lineman on the rise with big upsides. Edwards would be the # 2 WR and Jones and Kerley would be 3/4. Jones' has better size/upside than Kerley and would eventually take over the #2 position. Kerley can still play, but his reps may be reduced some cause I expect him to be on kickoffs.
I really love Hightower and outside of Richardson being available I really believe he should be the target. I really don't get why anyone doesn't feel he is worth the 16th pick, he is one of the safest players in the entire draft with potential to be a stud and leader on D and he has the versatility that Rex loves in his defensive players. Johnson I'm not so crazy about, actually really like his potential but he is just too much of a project for our team right now. We need guys early that are ready to step in and play, drafting someone to change positions is not the way to accomplish that. Too many questions with all these safeties in the draft I really hope we use FA to fill holes there. Like the OL and RB potential, not sure any of em last that long though but we'll see its not so outrageous, not at this point anyway. I really hope we target a WR earlier, even if we bring back Braylon. Which I would support but wouldn't rely on to solve our WR woes. This draft is so loaded at WR, I hope we target a few guys and make sure we get one of them, probably in the 2-4 rd range.Jones is a decent prospect but imo there are so many better WR prospects in this draft its hard to get excited about him.
Nice work as usual WW. I don't exactly dislike the Hightower pick, but I do have a bit of a draft crush on Cordy Glenn. Yes you can get better value late in this draft at OL as opposed to LB, but I feel that with Glenns feet at huis size, if he can learn to keep his pad level down he can become a dominant force along the OL. Hightower in his own right would be very versatile and Rex would love to create havoc with a player of his caliber. As for Johnson in the second, do you like him better than Markell Martin, Harrison smith or George Iloka, or just feel that his upside is higher? I really like the Hillman pick. Ford is a good developmental TE, I jsut wonder if he will be good enough of a blocker to keep on the 53 man this fall. All in all I like it, not love it, but then again its not my mock and I value players a bit differently :grin:
Hightower isn't an injury bitten player, him getting a lineman to the knee has been the only serious injury that has forced him to miss several games. And that was back in 2009, he has had 2 years on the field to recover. 2010 wasn't the best for him coming back from that injury, lost a lot of E-W speed. 2011 he was back to form though, no problems at all. And I don't recall McClain having any major injuries coming out of college either, so I don't get the specific comparison. Only LB that has really been banged up constantly at Bama recently is Junior CJ Mosley. He dislocated his elbow against Arkansas last year and then his hip in the title game. He has already been cleared for practice though, nasty coverage LB with all the size of a 34 ILB. He's got a better head on his shoulders and comes from a better environment than McClain as well, no offense to McClain. He's not Patrick Willis out there in coverage, but he's not Bart Scott either. He's planned to drop down to 255(10 pounds off) for his Pro Day tomorrow, so we'll see if that's true soon enough.
Thx Harp! Hightower isn't the pick most would think the Jets should consider. The pass rush OLB wanted by most Jet fans is "pie in the sky". Ingram/Upshaw/ Perry all aren't going to be dominant pass rushes in the mold of Suggs or Ware. If we can sign J. Johnson and have Ricky Sapp and Aaron Maybin in passing situations we will be fine. Hightower could replace Scott and move to the outside when needed. Rex follows Bama very closely and I believe Hightower will be one of the players on his radar at #16. We let Ellis go and replaced him with Mo Wilk, don't be surprised we replace Scott with our 1st Rounder. I like Glenn, one concern, his arms are a little too short to move to RT. Osemele might be a better option in round 2, if he's available, he can play both OT and Guard. Safety, I'll take Harrison Smith or T. Johnson in rd 2. Markelle Martin is a good safety, but I value HS & TJ more, both have risen on my board. Iloka is a reach, IMO in rd 2, we might have to move into early Rd 3 to draft Iloka......kinda like how we drafted Greene in 2009. Ford isn't a physical player, I never expect him to be even a decent blocker. He's strictly a catch the ball player.
Will reply to WW85 and MG a little later but I read something from MG that I wanted to comment on I read during the 2010 draft that McClain suffers from Crohn's disease, which causes a person(Or player) in this instance to get tired easier and more exhausted/vulnerable to injuries. Its why I said the difference with McClain and Hightower are similar but NOT THAT similar in large part to this. I don't doubt Hightower is fully healthy BUT his knees will be a target moving forward and he doesn't have as much resistance in his knees if he takes a shot. I just don't know how much cartilage he can have moving forward and as we are seeing with Rob Gronkowski, when there is past injury history(Especially the knees), they are going to come back at the least expected time.
Oh I can easily understand the hightower pick. I would be happy, but not jumping on the couch thrilled. Osemele's Arms measured in at 1/8" of an inch longer than Glenn's at the combine. If you feel his arms are long enough for RT then Glenn's should be as well. The Real issue with Glenn is his technique. He gets too high at times in the run game which nagates his size advantage as line man get under him and push back. He is a very good pass blocker though with a sloid drop and sure feet with the arms to applu a good punch without losing balance. I really like him as you can tell. :grin: Again, I can understand your views on the Safteys. There should be a good option in the second for us. Johnson is a much better cover type than smith, but smith seems like he would be much stonger in the box when called upon, which Rex prefers. Be cause we so often us safteys in blitz packages, I wondering if Rex is going to try to find young versions of our current guys or shake up the blue print a little with a guy like Johnson or Martin. I would love Ilkoa in the third, but as you said it would probly be a move up senario. If ford is not physical, than I have a hard time seeing him pass Cumberland unless the injury is not coming along well. Rex and company gushed about Cumberland's potential last season. Still, having a guy like ford on the PS would be very nice.
He had later tests done and it was discovered that he was misdiagnosed with Crohn's. He was perfectly fine in that regard. And to be fair, if any LB gets a lineman or helmet to the knee, he's getting injured regardless of previous history. Scenarios like that shouldn't be enough to scare you off a player. I know Thomas Davis keeps tearing his ACLs at LB, but there have also been players that have injured their knees and been completely healthy afterwards...
Good stuff, WW. I like the Hightower pick, and especially the Hillman selection in round 4. I'm a big fan of his. Johnson also seems like a guy who is under the radar, but could step in right away and contribute. My only gripe would be not selecting a WR before round 5. Bringing back Braylon would be a plus, but who knows how healthy he will be coming off of a wasted year. Does anyone know what the latest projections on Broyles are saying? If he's making good progress from his injury I would waste no time picking him in rounds 3-5. Before he tore up his knee he was a lock for the first round.
The feeling of exiting the regular forum and entering the draft forum- Aaaaaaaahhhhh, peace at last. God Im sick of this Peyton talk already and he hasn’t even hit FA yet. But nice mock WW, I would very pleased with this draft if it played out like this. I like Hightower, possibly more than Upshaw because of his versatility. In this scenario, with the signing of JJ, do you plan pushing Hightower outside on passing downs to rush the passer or let Maybin rotate in with JJ? The Trumaine pick is good, I think we will probably end up taking a safety in the 2nd or 3rd round because we need a starter that can come in and play immediately. Sadly, I dont see us upgrading the safety position that much in FA because of the top tier players being tagged. If Doug Martin isnt there, a safety would be my choice, and Tru seems to fit the bill of what we need. I really like the OL selections, Brooks would be a steal in the 4th. He could provide great depth this year and start at RG next year. I like the Hillman pick, but wish he had a little better size... Maybe if he could bulk up to 205 he could carry a decent load? But I could see him playing a Darren Sproles type of role wherever he goes. Also, I really like Marvin Jones in the later rounds around where you have him.
FWIW, Mayock had a glowing report on Hightower today at his pro day. Mayock said Hightower is ascending in Rd 1 and looked very fluid in drills. Mayock also mentioned what I said about Hightower being very diverse, can play inside or out and is a 3 down linebacker. Hightower will be on the Jet's radar, unless Tanny signs Raven's Free Agent ILB, Jameel McClain .
Whats the viability of us being able to trade down and land Hightower ? I don't dislike the pick, but id find it very difficult to be excited about @ 16. If we could even pick up a 3rd (or more ideally a second) and still land him, then Hightowers someone I could get far more excited about Although I think the Steelers would be a huge threat to land Hightower with a gaping hole @ MLB for them (hmm also makes the Steelers a decent trade down target for us, although guess I dont see many teams needing a MLB )
Hightower isn't going to last to the Steelers, as I mentioned & Mayock, he's on the rise. I don't see a better option at #16...my mock stated..Floyd, Ingram, Reiff, DeCastro & Upshaw were gone.
Isnt Hightower another Mike linebacker tho? Having two natural Mikes just seems a little odd for a RR defense, someones gotta blow up blocks. i mean maybe if we wanna start using mOre 4-3 and do w.e funky business w them 2 but dunno how well itd work
WW85, Does he have the explosive passrush that this team really needs? It would be so nice to find a Clay or Suggs for once in a draft....
The Steelers don't have a hole there. They're going to use LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote inside at times and count on Jason Worilds to stepup and play LOLB for them next season. If a good linebacker falls to them on their pick they'll probably take him but the Steelers are always years ahead in the planning on that side of the ball.
Explosive pass rush? There is no player that has an explosive pass rush in this draft. Players like Suggs or Ware don't grow on trees and are the exception, not the rule. Most NFL fans place too much emphasis on "drafting that great pass rusher". The Jet's need to get younger and better and replace Scott & Thomas. Better players in the Front 7 will increase the productivity of our defense and the sacks will come, but not by one specific player that is drafted this year.
Just got a chance to really go in depth into your mock WW and I appreciate the uniqueness of it rather then the same old draft that has been determined by most Jet fans. First, let me start off by saying I dont agree with everyone's assumption that Hightower is a stretch. Even prior to the combine I thought of him as a candidate at 16, not the #1 choice, but certainly someone to look out for. Now with his impressive combine numbers I think he is on the Jets radar big time. He reminds me a lot of Rocky McIntosh in terms of style of play, he's clearly bigger than McIntosh but he plays with the same speed and vision that you look for in an ILB, while also having the capability to play on the outside. I hate the comparisons to him and McClain, he is much more refined, and has zero attitude problems. I understand the Bama connection is easy to make but I feel as though he is a better player. Im really happy to see Trumaine getting some big recognition, Ive liked him for awhile now, and always thought his best position was as a Free Safety. Someone will draft him as a corner though, Id be willing to bet on that, but in this mock he is a nice pick up in terms of what we need after FA. I just hope you have something in mind where he plays next to a solid starting Strong Safety, since I feel as though he wont be able to be the QB of the defense very quickly, leading to some mistakes. Im not 100% on him starting from Day 1 and feel it would be better to acquire a stop gap to eventually ease him into the NFL. Jumping from Montana to the Pros is a big deal, I dont want him to get targeted over the middle or on deep plays initially, Id really hate to kill the kids confidence, but who knows. Schwartz is extremely under the radar, I dont understand why he isnt getting any hype as a solid RT prospect to groom for the future. I will say I disagree on your value of him, I think he is a 4th rounder right now, but obviously with his pro day next week he could further improve his stock. My question on him for you is, do you believe he has the ability to become a good/average pass protector? Right now I feel thats one of the big things hurting his stock, he can definitely help in the run game but can his weakness be fixed in a year or two, In your opinion? Hillman was one of my favorite players at the combine, he really showed he is a viable option for a team that needs a 3rd down RB. I get concerned a bit with his pass protection since he is so small but watching his games it doesnt seem to effect him as much as I initially thought. I cant put my finger on what player he reminds me of most, maybe Ray Rice? but I think Ray showed more ability at a higher level of competition. Who would you compare him to? Brooks is a player that is also under the radar, he put up great numbers at his pro day, many comparing his results to Dontari Poe's, which is impressive for a Guard. He impressed me most at the East-West shrine game, it seemed at though he was one of the top players on the field, he opened up holes for days, and actually one of the more impressive pass protectors out there. I think he has put himself into the third round if not top of the 4th BUT coming from a smaller school than most may make teams over look him. This is probably one of my favorite, if not , the favorite pick in your draft. Not an insult, just glad to see such high praise for a guy who no one talks about because of his combine snub. I like what you did with Braylon and Jones coming to the team. Marvin was never really a standout at Cal last year but IMO that was because of Maynard's poor play not because of his lack of ability. He has some of the better hands ive seen this year, and really goes all out in his play on the field, I can see why many compare him to Donald Driver. Him and Braylon would really help Sanchez look better and with those improved hands, it would lessen the amount of tipped balls for INTs. To be honest I havent really seen much of ford, Ive heard some call him this years Jordan Cameron. How do you feel about that? He seems like he has the size and route running ability to become a great #2 option but is he a capable blocker? For the rest of your draft it seems as though you added some nice role players and potential depth guys which is always great too see. As always great work man. This mock had what I love to see, some unknowns, future guys, and impact players ,which is what a draft class is really all about, and you did an excellent job at doing so. Oh and by the way, sorry for making you read so much :grin:
