In a nutshell:
QB-obvious
RB-Thomas Jones will be 31 on opening day, and word is he’s unhappy with his contract
WR-Cutting Laveranues Coles left a hole here
OLB-Vernon Gholston showed little in his rookie year, and Bryan Thomas was on a milk carton the second half of the season

Rex Ryan will probably keep the 3-4 as the base defense so keep that in mind if you go front seven. Both lines look good, but they’re thin so adding depth here could be an idea as well.

and tell us whom you picked.

I’ve been pouring over the team and available players. It’s a tough call. I’m not sure any of the QBs are worthy of a 1st round pick, especially with next year’s class seeming to be a lot better (and deeper). A WR sounds good, but as you said, a top WR won’t help if you don’t have a quality QB. I think RBs can easily be had in later rounds so I probably won’t spend a 1st round pick on one. I was leaning towards a LB or OT (I’ve heard there is some need), but it will all depend on who is available at 17.

So I’m inching closer to my pick for the Jets. Here’s how the mock has shaped up so far…

Detroit – Curry, LB
StL – Raji, DT
KC – Jason Smith, OT
Seattle – Stafford, QB
Clev – Crabtree, WR
Cincy – Eugene Monroe, OT
Oak – Rey Maualuga, LB
Jax – Macklin, WR
GB – Orakpo, DE
SF – Everette Brown, OLB
Buf – Maybin, DE
Den – Malcolm Jenkins, CB
Wash – Andre Smith, OT
NO – Clay Matthews, OLB
Hou – Tyson Jackson, DE

Unless SD takes him at #16, I’m leaning towards OT Michael Oher. I know that there are more pressing needs (QB, WR, RB), but I don’t think any of the QBs are special, the draft is deep with WRs (possible second round pick), and RBs can be picked up in later rounds (dime a dozen mentality). I didn’t think Oher would drop this far and he would provide great depth for the OL. He played right guard his freshman year and then moved to left tackle, both positions in which there is currently no depth (according to Yahoo’s depth chart). I’m guessing he’s the type of guy that you could start right away if you wanted.

Let me know what you guys think. Is it a horrible pick or is it a possibility?

OK, I’m emailing my pick tonight. I think I’m going with Brian Cushing, OLB out of USC. He’s versatile and can play both inside and outside. I’m going to target a WR for the second round. Let me know what you think. BTW, SD took Oher.

With the17th pick in the Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, the NY Jets take Brian Cushing, OLB out of USC.

Pick Team Player Drafter Analysis
1 Detroit Matthew Stafford
 
2 St. Louis Jason Smith
 
3 Kansas City Eugene Monroe
 
4 Seattle Michael Crabtree
 
5 Cleveland Aaron Curry
 
6 Cincinnati Michael Oher
 
7 Oakland Jeremy Maclin
 
8 Jacksonville B.J. Raji
 
9 Green Bay Brian Orakpo
 
10 San Francisco Robert Ayers
 
11 Buffalo Everette Brown
 
12 Denver Rey Maualuga
 
13 Washington Andre Smith
 
14 New Orleans Malcom Jenkins
 
15 Houston Clay Matthews

The guy who has 16 hasn’t picked yet, but I am going to say that San Diego won’t be going after a QB. So my pick is Mark Sanchez, QB USC. I wanted Josh Freeman as I know the Jets are high on him, but he was already gone. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them draft up this year to get Freeman if they think San Fran might want him or trade down. Otherwise, a James L from Ohio State, but I think it might be too early to take him. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

No one has taken Freeman yet in our draft!!! So Freeman is my choice now! Give me feedback.