Normally I'm not the kind of guy who makes a mock draft, however with the NFL pushing the draft back 2 weeks I found myself itching for draft related news. Plus I've read a lot more about this years draft then previous years due to the extra weeks. So without further adieu here she is:
I used the mock draft simulator from first-pick.com, and this is the first mock draft I have ever created
Round 1 Pick 22: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
When the board fell to me at 18 there were at least four players I was fine with selecting in the first round so I felt the trade back with the eagles to pick up an extra third rounder was a no brainier. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Ebron lasted till 22 and I think he will instantly give Geno/Vick another quality target to throw to. If I knew how rounds 2 and 3 were going to play out I might have went Defense here, but that's not how the draft works.
Round 2 Pick 17: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
I was surprised when this pick rolled around that ASJ was still on the board but honestly with Ebron in the first round I couldn't justify doubling up on TE, but that didn't stop me from selecting another offensive weapon. ( I had wanted Ward here but he got picked two picks before number 17 rolled around.) That being said I felt that Kelvin Benjamin gives us a big bodied WR that will become an immediate red zone target for us.
I used the mock draft simulator from first-pick.com. I decided not to make any trades and stuck with all 12 original picks.
Round 3 Pick 16: Jordan Matthews WR, Vanderbilt
I didn't see myself taking so many receiving targets this early in the draft, However I like Matthews in the the third round and I think with these first three picks we instantly have the ability to become one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the NFL(provided that Geno/Vick can get these men the ball) I like Matthews route running. I like Matthew's speed and hands. This pick makes our four/five wide sets Decker, Benjamin, Matthews, Kerely, and Ebron...which makes me a very excited Jets fan. (The downside of this is our D got a little neglected early, but we have a lot of late picks and this is a pretty deep draft so I feel confidant in these selections.).
Round 3 Pick 22: Louchiez Purifoy CB, Florida
Finally the defense gets some love in this draft, I think we need to bolster our CB corps in this draft and I felt this was the pick to do it. I know Purifoy has some character concerns and he ran a slow 40 at the combine. On the tape I see a faster player who is physical and moves smoothly. I think he can hold down the number 2 CB spot for us this year if Patterson goes down or maybe even beat him out in camp. If he doesn't crack the starting CB roster he can help out on special teams as he is an excellent gunner and a good return man. I like this pick a lot as it fills a need, helps our our ST, and give us a physical corner.
Round 4 Pick 4: Yarwin Smallwood ILB, Connecticut
Continuing to give the D love in the 4th, I felt Smallwood was BPA (even if not an immediate need) He is a good pass defender for an ILB and could possibly replace Harris for us in the future. I like the way he moves through traffic and finds the ball I would be happy to pick him up in the 4th round.
Round 4 Pick 15: Devonta Freeman RB, Florida State
Continuing with BPA over reaching for needs I felt Freeman was the best player on the board. Freeman is a smaller RB that has good hands out of the backfield. With this pick our backfield would be a little crowded, but honestly if we had to say goodbye to Powell I wouldn't be too sad about it. I like the value here and the depth chart can sort itself out in camp.
Round 4 Pick 37: Prince Shembo OLB, Notre Dame
Not an electric pass rusher, but lets face it those are hard to find by this point in the draft I feel Prince Shembo is a bit like a younger Calvin Pace. He is quick for his size (6'2 253 pounds) and physical I think he is a good prospect that can develop into a solid starter, he does many things well but nothing great, if he can seal the edge and find receivers in pass coverage he makes a good compliment to QC who at this point is our pass rushing OLB.
Round 5 Pick 14: Aaron Murray QB, Georgia
I like Murray and I think the 14 pick of the 5th round is a great place to pick him up. Some people say you should grab a QB every year of the draft at least in the later rounds and I think there is some truth to that. I know we have Vick/Geno right now, but I really like Murray's play. I know he has injury concerns and is not a huge guy(smaller than your ideal QB prospect), but he has experience in a pro style offense and I really like his throwing motion, pocket presence ,and his intangibles. I think he could beat out Chris Sims for our 3rd QB spot fairly easily.
Round 6 Pick 19: Arron Lynch DE, South Florida
Lynch is a bit of a gamble and not really a need of ours, he is a little raw but he is a freakish athlete. I think the sixth round (especially when you have 4 picks) is a great place to take a gamble on a physical freak. We have good coaches to develop defensive talent so I'm comfortable taking this gamble at this point in the draft.
Round 6 Pick 33: Vinni Sunseri SS, Alabama
I feel Vinni is another gamble pick, but the opposite of Lynch(As his physical tools are slightly lacking and he is small, but is a smart hard worker) as he seems to have a great mind for the game, good hands, and is a very psychical Rex Ryan type of safety. He reminds me of a younger Jim Lenord.
Round 6 Pick 34: Tom Hornsey P, Memphis
The Jets could use an upgrade at the punting position and with four sixth round picks this seemed like as good a time as any to pick one up. Hornsey is my favorite punter in this draft.
Round 6 Pick 37: Dri Archer WR, Kent State
To round out my final pick of the 6th round I picked up Kent State's Dri Archer. I know I already added 2 WR and a TE in this draft and the receiving corps is mighty crowded, but I felt Dri was the BPA at this pick by a long shot. Whenever you can add an explosive play maker this late in the draft you are doing alright. Dri is a smaller guy but hes versatile and I think amazing value at this point in the draft.
Round 7 Pick 34: Johnathan Newsome OLB, Ball State
With the final pick of my draft I took Johnathan Newsome. I like the bust he gets off the edge, he needs some work(but if he didn't he wouldn't be here in the 7th) he has a quick first step that you can't teach and has the physical tools to be a contributor.
Here is the entire list from first-pick, how they graded it and my final thoughts on the completed product:
Round 1 Pick 22 (PHI): Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina (A)
Round 2 Pick 17: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State (A-)
Round 3 Pick 16: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt (A-)
Round 3 Pick 22 (PHI): Louchiez Purifoy, CB, Florida (B+)
Round 4 Pick 4: Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Connecticut (A)
Round 4 Pick 15: Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State (A)
Round 4 Pick 37 (COMP): Prince Shembo, OLB, Notre Dame (A-)
Round 5 Pick 14: Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia (A)
Round 6 Pick 19: Aaron Lynch, DE, South Florida (B-)
Round 6 Pick 33 (COMP): Vinnie Sunseri, SS, Alabama (A)
Round 6 Pick 34 (COMP): Tom Hornsey, P, Memphis (A)
Round 6 Pick 37 (COMP): Dri Archer, WR, Kent State (A)
Round 7 Pick 18: Jonathan Newsome, OLB, Ball State (B)
Your Future Picks:
2015 Round 1 Pick
2016 Round 1 Pick