THIS!!! And I know it's way after the fact, but does anyone else feel as though the FO fucked up by passing up a WR in the 3rd round this year?? I mean there were a TON of talented pass catchers that we just let slip by. Keenan Allen, Marquise Goodwin, Terrance Williams, Markus Wheaton, and my personal favorite, Stedman Bailey (Geno's teammate since High School). Like I said, it's way after the fact, but just looking at all of those big names, and this team's dire need for young talent at WR, I can't believe we didn't snag one of those guys. Oh and I'm glad Braylon is back. Only Michigan guy I'll ever like.
If Geno Smith works out this year the Jets will probably draft a couple of WR's early next year and everything will be set on offense. If they're still working on the QB next year it's a different story.
True. I just find it crazy that in the 2012 draft the Jets reach big time for Stephen Hill in the 2nd. He was completely unproven, and we knew that. These other guys that were all picked in the 3rd round of 2013 draft were all proven to be very good WR's. Stedman Bailey has some of the best hands I've ever seen, and I personally watched Terrance Williams destroy our secondary (not that it was difficult last year, but still he had like 300 yards) in the 70-63 WVU & Baylor game.
Stephen Hill was going to go in the 2nd regardless of anything. He had a great combine and he's explosive. He's got plenty of upside and the kid has a great attitude. I think he's going to work-out in the end. Just needs to get his focus on catching the football and improve his route running - that comes with experience. Having Braylon here as a "Big Brother" will definitely help him.
Disagree with you about Hill. He was widely considered a 1st round prospect from Bowl season onward due to his rare blend of size & speed. If anything the lack of experience is what made him slip to the 2nd round. Nobody questioned the pick at the time..and most experts thought it was great value. Bottom line is the majority of young WRs are gonna have growing pains in their first year..Hill is no exception. Terrance Williams didn't have a great pre-draft in terms of combine/worksouts/senior bowl. Many questioned his quickness in and out of breaks. He still could turn out to be a good possession WR in the NFL..but he's not without faults.
The Jets have a history of reaching for projects early in the draft. It just is what it is. Something goes wrong in their evaluation process and they get sold on all the good things about a player while ignoring the one thing that is going to cause the pick to fail.
Who was the last skill position rookie we drafted that was able to step in and had an immediate impact? Maybe Keller?
Leon Washington (2006) ... rushed for 650yrds and received for another 270. Did some punt and kick returns as well that year.
I feel as if Hill (unfairly I might add) had lofty expectations to fill considering his situation. He was overvalued due to following in the steps of Megatron and Demaryius Thomas. The tall, explosive receiver from GT who has great speed, but is unpolished due to the spread option that they run. Obviously, it's too early to tell for Hill, but in my mind he's not the same specimen as those guys. With that in mind, I do like Stephen. I like his attitude and his work ethic. I think he has the potential to be a star in MM's new offense. Work him in slowly, give him some nice and easy short throws to build his confidence, and get his receptions up, and then start sending him streaking down field.
Totally agree w/ all of this. He has a lot of tools to work w/ but needs time to polish up. He may not be Thomas or Johnson but he can certainly be his own breed of playmaker.
Greene didn't really look all that great til the playoffs. At least as far as I can remember. I'll give you Lamont Jordan though. He was alright. Bringing in Braylon Edwards accomplishes alot, it allows Stephen Hill to take a lesser role and develop at his own pace instead of having the responsibilities of a number 2 receiver. Braylon will give the Jets a deep threat that defenses have to respect, which will open up the intermediate routes for Kerley to operate. Having Braylon allows for the backs to not to have to constantly work against stacked boxes. Braylon gives Geno (who I think will be the starter) a security blanket, a guy that can run clean, crisp routes a guy that can make tough catches and someone that can give Geno advice after a series etc. BTW I think our receiving corp is not as bad as people think. Kerley and Braylon are 2 legit NFL WR's. Winslow when healthy is a good pass catching TE, and Cumberland is a solid TE. Now if Holmes can come back and be effective then we'll really be in business.
I really wish we had another 3rd round pick this year so we could have gotten Steadman Bailey. As much as I like the Winters pick, Bailey will probably become a Holmes type player, and he would have already had the chemistry with Geno.
I see what you're saying but I feel our situation on the line was more dire. We had 0 starting guards going in, with Slauson and Moore leaving.
They should have drafted a WR this year. They should give all QB's a better chance for success. The WR corp right is just ok. I'm hoping Braylon can be 80 percent of what he was. Hill has to improve.
improving the line and backfield will do more to help the qb than any rookie wr they could have drafted
