Thought this article was interesting, nothing to new, but a good idea of what is going on in preparing for the draft : http://www.nypost.com/seven/04122009/sports/jets/upgrading_offense_first_164120.htm The Jets spent the free agency period signing and trading for players to bolster their defense. In the draft, the focus now likely will shift to the offense. The retirement of Brett Favre and the departure of Laveranues Coles to Cincinnati mean the 2009 Jets offense is going to look much different than the 2008 version. GM Mike Tannenbaum and new coach Rex Ryan have been huddling for weeks, formulating the draft plan that will get the Jets back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Here is a primer on what to expect in the April 25-26 NFL Draft: THREE GOALS Find a playmaking receiver: Favre took much of the blame down the stretch last season, but he was not the only problem. Opposing defensive coordinators said the Jets were hindered by their lack of a deep-threat receiver. Jerricho Cotchery is the only proven receiver returning, and he is more of a possession receiver. If one of the top receivers in the draft falls to the Jets in the first round, expect them to scoop him up. Get a blocking tight end: Chris Baker and Bubba Franks are gone, leaving Dustin Keller as the team's only true tight end. Keller showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season catching the ball, but often was removed in blocking situations. Barring an unlikely trade, the Jets are going to enter the season with a young, untested quarterback. That leaves a heavy burden on the running game. A tight end who can open up holes for Thomas Jones and Leon Washington is a must. Add some depth on the defensive line: The Jets learned in Kris Jenkins' first year with the team that he is going to need some rest throughout the season. The big nose tackle was a force for the first two months but faded down the stretch. The team also needs help at defensive end, where Shaun Ellis is getting older and Kenyon Coleman is serviceable but not much more. FIVE WHO COULD BE JETS: Percy Harvin, WR Florida Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State Tyson Jackson, DE LSU DON'T BE SURPRISED IF . . . The Jets draft a quarterback. Publicly the team is backing Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff as its quarterbacks of the future, but if one of the top quarterbacks still is available at No. 17, the Jets will grab him. The Jets like Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman but both may be long gone by the time the Jets are on the clock. Tannenbaum could decide to trade up a few slots to grab one of them, too. CALLING THE SHOTS: This will be the first draft with Tannenbaum as general manager without Eric Mangini at his side. Instead of Tangini we now have T-Rex. How Ryan influences the draft remains to be seen. His background is all defense, but Ryan also comes from an organization in the Ravens where GM Ozzie Newsome is clearly the guy calling the shots. Tannenbaum's drafting track record is pretty good. Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis and Washington all made the Pro Bowl last season. The jury is out on Vernon Gholston, but Keller, drafted with the team's second pick in the first round last year, looks like a keeper.
If we trade up for Freeman or Sanchez I will vomit Percy Harvin - Not a huge fan but if he can make oponents cringe then I wouldn't mind Knowshon Moreno - I like McCoy better and I also would rather Shonn Greene in the 2nd or 3rd, or even Rashad Jennings in the 4th, or even Beanie Wells in the first, wouldn't have me running for the razors but wouldn't be happy Brandon Pettigrew - My favourite of this list, I used to be a naysayer, but this upgrades two positions by letting Keller have more freedom, and having a full time TE on the roster Tyson Jackson - Not great but who knows, he could end up being a Ty Warren, quiet but deadly, I still like Gilbert better as he shows flashes of Seymour
I like Pettigrew a lot as well, but I am just weary of drafting two tight ends in the first round, back to back years. I would prefer signing some scrappy tough blocking tight ends, or drafting them in the late rounds. But I agree, If we traded up for a QB I would feel sick to stomach. But not as sick as taking Percy Harvin at #17.
Add OT depth to this analysis, and this article hits our keys needs in the head. Trading up for one of these QB's is horrible idea. If anything, I'd love to see Maclin at #17, or trade back with a team like say Minn who may want Freeman if he is still on board. Trading back gives us a lot more flexibility for a DL, RB, or WR in first 2 rounds. Love the potential value of guys like Donald Brown, Gilbert, Robieske, or even Ziggy Hood or Ron Brace. A blocking TE, OT depth, and even RB's can be found from round 3 on. I want a WR and some DL in first and foremost, unless value at another position is too much to pass.
It may not be peoples first choice, but if I want someone who is going to incredibley upgrade my Offense & our Team, not for 3 or 5 years, but for the next decade... by all means if he is available at #17 TAKE KNOWSHON MORENO. For 2 years behind a sub-par & always injured offensive line the kid was outstanding...running, blocking, receiveing, on the sidelines as a leader & off the field! He will blow away every JETS Tailback rushing & receiving record & end up tops in the league. Dont tell me that he has only 4.5 speed, Curtis Martin (who I liked) was not a blazer, but a great talent. I think Knowshon will be end up in JETS history if the JETS GODS can some how draft him!......Are there JETS GODS??
I'm increasingly getting on the Knowshon bus. He was always on my list, but with the certainty of Maclin being gone, and reports of Gilbert being overrated, Moreno moves to the top of my list. A trade down and Britt Greene combo would be nice too. I don't want McCoy. He's awfully close to what we have in Leon.
I don't love Moreno. Leon should be splitting carries a la Steve Slaton and we don't need two smallish backs. Shonn Greene, Andre Brown, or Rashad Jennings would be a better compliment and should be available in the middle rounds. WR, 34DE, and LB are the only positions that need to be addressed in the first round, unless Sanchez falls to us. The ideal situation would be a trade down to the end of the first, picking up a 2nd or 3rd in the process. DHB/Britt/Nicks would be available then and are just as valuable as Harvin and we'd pick up more depth.
I am down with trading up for whichever QB we like best, this team can't be taken seriously until we have a QB. Next on my list would be Moreno or Maclin.
I don't understand all the hate for Harvin. If he lives up to his potential he's an offensive force. I've heard people complain he's another Reggie Bush. If Bush was drafted in the second round that would be a compliment, its only when compared to his draft position that Bush's career doesn't look good. If Leon was drafted that high fans would hate him too. So I'm happy with Harvin, he's a guy who can make an offense great. DHB has the most potential of the WRs so I would be happy with that too. But we can make it at least another year without drafting a RB early. Having Tony Richardson on the team reduces the need for a big back. It seems the two back system took over right around when the true FB died out. With a true blocking FB you don't need a monster back in the mix.
^He's not another reggie bush. Bush is much smarter than this loser and has already succeeded in the NFL. I don't like Moreno and I don't like a QB. I don't like a TE either given our history. There's a couple of DE's out there that Rex might like and maybe a LB. Who was the DE from a small college that Rex was working out in front of some people? He sounded like our guy. He'd be a reach at #17 but maybe we trade down a few slots and take him. I'd be very happy with that.
Jarron Gilbert. I am starting to think we need to trade back in the first to between 22-26 and try to pick up a second rounder. here depending on the number of RB's taken I would either take Donald Brown, or Jarron Gilbert. I just prefer Brown to Moreno personally. If at least one of Moreno/wells is still on the board I would take Gilbert, and try to trade up to the top of round two (maybe using the pick we traded down to acquire) to pick up Brown. Or vice versa if the board dictates. I have pinpointed these two as the top guys that I want.
Where exactly do you plan to play him if the Jets draft him? The hole is at wideout, which he's not. He's a slot receiver who will occasionally be used in the backfield. So, we use a pick on Harvin and we're left with a gaping hole at the two spot and a fierce competition between Harvin and the sorely underutilized Stuckey. We also start using him out of the backfield in the same capacity as Leon. He reduces touches for two guys who are already not being used enough, and we still have that big hole outside. As far as the Richardson argument, how long do you think he's playing for? I'd guess one more season. We do need a big back at some point in the draft.
I like the thought of trading back, but I don't know which team we'd trade with. The Lions, Dolphins, Patriots, and Giants have the ammo, but two of the four won't deal with us, and I'm not sure who the Lions will feel a need to move up for. Perhaps if they go Stafford with the first and Andre Smith falls, they jump up. I'm not sure the Bucs and Broncos would be considered threats to take him, though. Ditto for the Giants. Who would they want to move up for, and do we want to drop all the way back to 29? If we're set on Gilbert, perhaps, but I'd rather see a trade back for a player like Kenny Britt. That leaves the Eagles as a potential suitor. With two first rounders, they could afford to move up higher than our spot at 17, but if they wanted to trade 21 and 53 to get into our position, it would make the most sense. Again, though, I'm not sure they're worried about the 3 teams between us either.
If the Rex Ryan approach is a dominant run game with a QB that takes care of the ball, I don't see how Pettigrew is not that choice. The Jets don't have a quality blocking TE and I don't think any is available via FA. Furthermore, the weaknesses at #2 - #5 WRs dictates that Keller be heavily involved in the passing game.
^On paper he seems like a great choice but we have been burned at TE so many times its hard for me to look forward to spending a 17 on him. I'd rather try to get back Posciak or someone about his level either in FA or late rounds. All this said, its a crapshoot and I'd rather get Gilbert so if taking Pettigrew at 17 stops that, I'm against it.
Id really like to trade down with Minnesota. Let them jump up to our spot to grab their future QB and we can then grab BPA and gain a few draft picks as well.
You think Minnesota wants a QB in the first round this year? I think they're willing to give Rosenfels a shot, although I can tell you their fans are not happy with the prospect. I think Minnesota is going to take Harvin, and they're unlikely to move up to do so.
I dont think Sage is a long term guy for them. I could see them going for Freeman hoping hes the next Culpepper for them.
Its simple.....If you want a decade + of complete sucsess then draft Knowshon Moreno. There is not a back in the draft that can hold a candle to this guy as a runner, receiver, leader & teammate....Jet fans will love this kid!!!
