Slow morning, so I put together a few drafts, all with a slightly different focus. I put a little explanation of the thoughts that went into each. 1. Dont’a Hightower, LB Alabama 2. Nate Potter, OT Boise State 3. George Iloka, S Boise State 4. Brandon Brooks, OG Miami (Oh) 5. Gerrell Robinson, WR Arizona State 6. Kevin Koger, TE Michigan 6 (jags). Juron Criner, WR Arizona 6c. Julian Miller, LB West Virginia 7c. Cordarro Law, LB Southern Miss "BUT... PASSRUSHER....BUT..... HUH?" Good eye, no Ingram/Mercilus/Perry/etc. Also, people who see the ILB tag next to Hightower's name might be equally confused, with the whole Bart Scott situation in flux. What Hightower provides is more important than any one label, and that's VERSATILITY. He can probably start either inside or out for the Jets next year, and provide Rex with a player that never needs to leave the field. The best part is, though he doesn't fit the Suggs/Ware mold, he is a very dangerous passrusher who can upset pockets just as easily from a variety of starting points. Too many people are enamored with speed rushers, he is a power player who can dominate OL consistently. He really sures up both LB spots in a very tricky year, and it gives them more options for what to add next year depending on where they see DH's future. I like Nate Potter, a lot more than I did earlier in his career, and especially after seeing a guy I thought was very similar (Nate Solder) have success with the Pats. His ability to play inside at guard tells me the right side should be an acceptable move, and he also has the ability to play the left side shoud DBrick ever go down (which is ALWAYS preferred over a backup OT). Iloka is tall and can man cover, which is why he presents one of the few really intriguing safety options for the Jets. Brooks and Koger are both shining at the Shrine game practices. Koger is especially intriguing as a blocking TE. Robinson and Criner are both massively underrated receivers with size to replace Plax. Miller is a versatile, tough player, with a higher upside than Westerman. Law was a productive passrusher who I'd want to see play through camp. ______________________________________________________________ 1. Alshon Jeffery, WR So Carolina 2. Andre Branch, LB Clemson 3. Brandon Mosley, OT Auburn 4. Matt Reynolds, OG BYU 5. Donnie Fletcher, S Boston College 6. Kevin Koger, TE Michigan 6 (jags). Darius Fleming, LB Notre Dame 6c. Brandon Hardin, S Oregon State 7c. Travis Benjamin, WR Miami A bit more flashy, the Jets get a gift and Jeffery falls into their hands. It's an obvious pick to me, so they hold off on getting a rush LB to round two, and a guy I think can handle the transition well in Andre Branch. Mosley is a guy with a lot of potential, and it's about the area where finding immediate starters will be tough. Reynolds piggy backs Mosley because he's a little more suited to play right away, though that might be inside at guard. Fletcher and Hardin are both CB converts, the former more of a free while Hardin can step in as a much (MUCH) more athletic box safety than E Smith provides. Koger again as a blocking TE, and Fleming as a backup/developmental ILB with 34 experience. Travis Benjamin is a small speedy guy with downfield, big play ability. ____________________________________________ 1. Melvin Ingram, LB So Carolina 2. Trumaine Johnson, S Montana 3. DeVier Posey, WR Ohio State 4. Tyler Nielsen, LB Iowa 5. Markus Zusevics, OL Iowa 6. Kevin Koger, TE Michigan 6 (jags). Jordan White, WR Western Michigan 6c. Brandon Hardin, S Oregon State 7c. Josh Oglesby, OT Wisconsin Melvin Ingram is a monster who provides that 34 43 versatility. Trumaine Johnson is a better fit as a safety, especially for a team that needs one who can play against huge freak monster TEs. Posey and White would be a nice pair of complimentary receivers to add to the fold. Posey has #1 ability, and White is a great possession guy to go along with him. Zusevics (probably to guard) and Oglesby (once a top level prospect) are nothing fantastic, but if one can become a starter than it's a good deal. Neilsen is a guy that I would REALLY want to see the Jets take a look at, the size and intelligence to succeed in a 34, but also a tremendous athlete. He could start day one, and is fast enough to cover TEs.
A buch of real nice options GH. I really like number two becasue I feel Jeffery would be a top ten pick if not for the red flags against him. At 16 he would be a fantastic pick talent wise. Reynolds and Mosley add a lot of investment up front and I love that. The fist draft is also heavy on O line and hightower is going to be a hell of a player. Robinson is a big body and was very productive this year. If he has a big combine he may not be around in the 5th. The third is very boom or bust it seems. Ingrham has the tools to be a veyr good one. Thats the highest I've seen Trumaine Johnson mocked. Moving him over to saftey is an interesting idea. Its obviously my least favorite though because of how late we add O line. Sadly its also the one I could see better fittign the draft day for the Jets lol. I like the Koger pick in the 6th in all three drafts lol. Michigan so underused the TE in thier offense. He could be a real sleeper. Very nice work on all of them. Keeping my fingers crosse that an elite offensive talent falss to 16.
Good Work as always. I'd have no problem with any of the 3 first round picks. Hightower will be a much better player than many expect, and to me, is a prototypical Raven or Steeler pick late in the 1st round which turns out to be a steal. Jeffery is interesting because I think based upon how he works out and how he shows up at the combine he will either be gone by 16 or considered a "reach" at 16. Right now I have Jeffery, Floyd, and Kendall Wright (I am a HUGE Kendall Wright fan) at about equal as the #2 receiver in the draft. Im a fan of Ingram; like his versatility, size, and he just makes plays. I see him as more of a complete OLB than Mercilles (run game, coverage, pass rush). I REALLY like the Iloka pick in the first scenario. He's one of two Boise St. defensive players I really like in the mid rounds this year. He's one of my 3 favorite safeties in this draft and would bring exactly what we need back there; an athletic, lanky safety who excels in coverage. Hes in a mock draft i've been working on recently. In regards to drafting a mid round developmental tackle prospect, I like Matt McCants from UAB more than I like Mosley, but they're pretty close and is just a matter of opinion. Posey would be an excellent mid round pickup, and I think he will probably even be available later on due to the strength at WR in the draft and his off the field problems at Ohio St.
I really like the idea of “Mocktions”, nice idea GH... As far as the mocks go, I think I would be happiest with the 2nd draft- Jefferey is a hands down stud that would be a HUGE addition to this offense. Im not too knowledgable on Branch, so I wont comment on that except I like OLB in round 2 if we go offense in the 1st. Love the back to back OL picks. Reynolds did well at Tackle so I would imagine him moving inside would only cover up the small holes in his game and magnify his strengths. The first is nice with Hightower and Potter- that would be a very good 1-2.
GH some solid work, with a flavor of East/West Shrine game players. My favorite is #1 by far!! Most probably won't like #1, I love it. I'm pretty confident Bart Scott's days are numbered. Scott's production has decreased and he's been very vocal and is one of the cancers in the locker room. Hightower would be an ideal fit next to Harris and even if Scott is retained, Hightower could move around as you stated. Hightower is just a solid football player, he doesn't make mistakes, makes solid tackles, reads and reacts extremely well and loves the game. Potter would be a solid addition and I love the idea of having insurance in case DBrick is injuryed. Iloka is maybe overdrafted by a round, I like his size, his combine #s may hurt him. Brandon Brooks is a solid player and could turn out be a starter real soon, he's a huge guard that is very quick on his feet. One of my favorite players from the MAC. Brooks plays thru the whistle and can have a nasty streak, something our O-line could benefit. A very smart player , on and off the field. His stock should rise!! Robinson and Criner will contribute if given the opportunity. Julian Miller is having a great Shrine game and looks like an awesome ST player and could develop into a starter.
I like Nate Potter, but do you think he can go in the 3rd? I accept that pick if he performs well at the combine and through all the testing
I like some of the ideas but my fave is the 2nd. To get a top wideout and a rush linebacker would be great.
Interesting ideas - I really hope that the Jets can improve their scouting cadre - I was reading an article that was saying the niners currently have 18 of their later round (3+) draft picks on the roster with 10 of them being starters.
I like #1 Hightower is gonna be great and we addres a big need at Oline and I like Criner and think he'll be good
