I have actually lost count how many we've done over the off-season, I do think that this is the 4th and could possibly be the final one. The dust with free agency has settled somewhat and the team needs heading into the draft are a lot clearer now that they have been for previous editions.
I will try to keep it as realistic as possible, keeping in mind all the comments that you have made this off-season about the prospects available, where we need to go and what we need to do to get them.
So lets get this party started with the draft selections that we have in the draft as of right now, bold is the selections we will have after the draft day trades propositioned below, the normal font and crossed out selections is what we currently have:
First Round, 16th Overall (First Round, 26th Overall)
Second Round, 47th Overall
Second Round, 58th Overall
Third Round, 77th Overall
Fifth Round, 154th Overall (Fifth Round, 148th Overall)
Sixth Round, 187th Overall
Sixth Round, 202nd Overall
Sixth Round, 203rd Overall
Seventh Round, 232nd Overall
Seventh Round, 242nd Overall
Seventh Round, 244th Overall
For the first time in a long time, we havenearly double digit selections and a need for depth. However unfortunately half of our selections are from the 200th selection and over. It doesn't mean that you can't find a gem or two in there, but it's a lot more difficult and there is more chance the player gets cut than make a solid contribution.
I have Ingram off the board when we select, so the first thing that I'm doing is trading back in the first round. Michael Floyd is sitting there at #16, so I reach out to the Houston Texans at #26. Houston are a team that needs a receiver to line up across from Johnson, Floyd is a guy that they could really use, a guy that could take them to the next level with their passing game.
Using the draft value chart I send our 1st round selection and a throw in 7th round selection (16th and 232nd) for their (26th and 58th selections). They get their wide receiver they need, we get an added 2nd round selection for depth and the ability to still draft a good player in the first.
On top of this I would also trade up with the Raiders in the 5th round to get closer to the top. There are a couple of players that may well drop out of the 4th into the 5th. We move up from 154 to 148. We send out 5th and a compensatory 6th to Oakland (who need the Picks) for their 5th round selection.
I hope that you have followed the above, and now onto the selections, after the moves we have 9 selections to make.
With the 26th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select:
Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
With this selection in mind, the whole reason for trading down is to look at the bigger picture. In my mind both Ingram and Upshaw were off the board. So trading down and still picking up a player that looks to have a bright future in the NFL while getting another selection was a no brainer. The greatest asset that Branch has is his flexibility. As John has referenced several times this off-season the Jets now switch between 3-4 and 4-3 looks. Branch excelled at Clemson as an edge rusher, but he also has excellent body control and above average awareness. He gets his hands up and is stout against the run. He has good speed and a nice club in the pass rushing game. Showed at his pro day and at the combine that he is very comfortable in space and he gets good depth when dropping back. Has experience at Clemson in dropping into coverage and showed good feet and balance. Rex Ryan attended Andre's pro day and by all accounts came away impressed. Holds a 92 scout grade with ESPN.
Statistics & measurables: (all measurables are taken from combine numbers)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 259 lb's
Arm Length: 34"
Hand Size: 9"
40 Yard Dash: 4.62
Bench Reps: 19
Vertical: 32.5"
2011 Stat Line: 14 Games, 77 tackles, 10.5 sacks
With the 47th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select:
Bobbie Massie, OT, Ole Miss
I've had a look through team needs and the players available up to this point and depending on how the top of the draft goes, will determine if Bobbie is still here when we come to select. However there is a chance he is and as the eternam optimist that I am, we snap him up. Bobbie is quickly becoming one of my favourite draft prospects in this draft. As much as you keep hearing the Jets are happy with Vlad and Hunter going into 2012, I wouldn't put too much stock in that. As I mentioned last week, he isn't a finished article but his slide blocking and pull down blocking are strengths. He has strength in bunches and excels in the run blocking and clearing way for his running back. He is so big he can be impossible to move at times and when he plays with the right leverage he becomes a brick wall. His run blocking is better than his pass blocking however as a ground and pound team. It would be a very intelligent selection to make.
Measurables
Height: 6'6
Weight: 319 lb's
Arm Length: 35"
Hand Size: 9"
40 Yard Dash: 5.15
Bench Reps: 22
Vertical: 27.5"
With the 58th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select:
Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia
Double-dipping, that is the name of the game this week as we head straight back to pass rush with a player that a lot of people like; and I don't blame them. Now first of all you guys know that I'm not high on troubled character guys but I'm willing to take a gamble on Bruce. He was arrested after the combine for destruction of property, he was academically ineligible for high school football, service some time in juvenile jail. However he is explosive off the edge he shows some very good pass rushing skills and his one tough player. More stout against the run than most give him credit for and has a high motor to keep on coming. Has a good nose for the football and does a nice job of changing directions and moving to secoundary options if he is not getting to the QB. Now you are going to have to take a chance on Irvin, I don't think he is a bad guy; just a guy that has had a tough upbringing who made mistakes. With his ability he can be your best friend, and if you need pass rush then having Branch and Irvin (and Maybin) on the same field is going to cause a lot of problems.
Statistics & measurables: (all measurables are taken from combine numbers)
Height: 6'3
Weight: 245 lb's
Arm Length: 33 3/8"
Hand Size: 9 5/8"
40 Yard Dash: 4.43
Bench Reps:23
Vertical: 33.5"
2011 Stat Line: 10 Games, 39 tackles, 8.5 sacks
With the 77th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select:
Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
No pick caused me such a headache as this one. In my head I was looking for a free safety, I thought about who would still be here and I'm just not crazy about the safety class this year. Barron and Smith will be gone, which then leaves us with people like George Iloka and Antonio Allen, Janzen Jackson. I just don't rate any of those guys enough to select them here in the knowledge they will be gone when we get back to the clock in the 5th. We need a free safety which is why I want us to pick up Atogwe as this draft class is not the draft class to try and find a long term solution at the position.
So moving on to the actual pick and it's feel good Nick Toon. I want to add to this receiving class that we have and I want to add to it with a physical reliable guy off the line. Nick will bring much needed positive vibes to the team but he'll also bring a good player. He has the ability to run block well outside if he stops trying to cut block so much. Is a reliable route runner who uses head fakes to throw the corner off and gain separation and will win his match-ups with his physicality and his length. I like the thought of giving Mark Sanchez another target in Nick and I just think that it brings some much needed positivness to the team.
Statistics & measurables: (all measurables are taken from combine numbers)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 215 lb's
Arm Length: 32 1/2"
Hand Size: 9"
40 Yard Dash: 4.54
Bench Reps:18
Vertical: 37.5
2011 Stat Line: 64 receptions, 926 yards, 10 touchdowns
With the 148th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select:
Demario Davis, ILB, Arkansas State
The reason I wanted to just move up 5 spots in the 5th round. I don't even know if he lasts this longer, but the closer to the 4th round we get the more likely we are to be able to snag him. He plays with everything you want from a linebacker. Good against the run, quick to recognise the pass. Fluid hips, short area quickness, good pursuit and excellent wrap up tackling ability. He has an excellent first step and rarely gets fooled on a play. He has the football instincts and IQ. As you can tell, there are few prospects in this draft that I am higher on that Demario. Like I said when we first scouted him last month, if he were playing at an SEC powerhouse like and LSU or an Alabama he would be a lot higher. I think his impressive showing this off-season has improved his stock but if we can grab him then we should. I like Bart Scott but his coverage is still questionable and he is expensive, we need to start looking for some alternatives and bring Demario in for a year to learn from Harris & Scott would benefit us going forward.
Statistics & measurables: (all measurables are taken from combine numbers)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 235 lb's
Arm Length: 32"
Hand Size: 9"
40 Yard Dash: 4.53
Bench Reps:32
Vertical: 38.5
2011 Stat Line: 69 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception
With the 202nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New York Jets Select:
Brian Peters, FS, Northwestern
We are getting down to my favourite part of the draft, the selectons you take a flyer on and hope they work out and if they don't.....oh well. Peters is a guy that I have recently come across and I've been extremely impressed with what I have seen. He has a very nice blend of speed and size and knows how to locate the football in the air. Plays the ball in front of him a lot better than being asked to backpeddal and cover. Is very much a centre fielder and has the vision to sniff out the play and make a move on the ball. Is obviously not elite but he is a prospect that I would like to see be developed. It's an area of need, we are not over reaching due to a bad class and if he works out then great if he doesn't then we go back to the drawing board early next season
Height: 6'4
Weight: 220 lb's
40 Yard Dash: 4.60
Bench Reps:14
Vertical: 32
2011 Stat Line: 92 tackles, 5 interceptions, 9 passes defended, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles
With the 203rd Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select:
James Hanna, TE, Oklahoma
I know that we need a blocking tight end and James is not one of those but he just has too many skills and too many attiributes to pass up as late as this. Most people seem to suggest that he will be a 6th or 7th round selection. He hasn't had the best production at Oklahoma which is why he is probably dropping down the draft boards, but he has size and speed and the ability to catch poorly thrown footballs. His blocking leaves a lot to be desired, but lined up in a two tight end set with Keller he poses some problems for defensive backs. Like I said his measurables outweight his production, and that's always a red flag. However back here in the 6th. I'm willing to take a chance.
Statistics & measurables: (all measurables are taken from combine numbers)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 252 lb's
Arm Length: 33 1/8"
Hand Size: 9 7/8"
40 Yard Dash: 4.49
Bench Reps:24
Vertical: 36
2011 Stat Line: 27 receptions, 381 yards and 2 touchdowns.
With the 242nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the New York Jets Select:
Bryce Brown, RB.......Nowhere
You know I love a good story and it's no different here. Bryce Brown was one of the most hyped running backs to get recruited in recent years and in 2009 joined the Tennessee Volunteers among much celebration. His first year in Tennessee was a positive one, he rushed for 460 yards and 3 touchdowns in a limited role and caught for 137 yards and a touchdown at the same time. Then Lane Kiffin left for USC and Bryce decided to transfer to Kansas State, sitting out 2010 in accordance with NCAA rules. 3 rushing attempts into his Kansas State career he left the team without any real explanation.
So now you are probably thinking, nothing you are saying makes me want to take a run at this guy. What If I were to say that although he has only had 3 carries since the end of the 2009 season, he impressed scouts at the combine with his shape being fantastic and his measurables being just as good. Now this is the ultimate flyer with a player with red flags all around. However I remember this guy getting recruited, with more hype than Trent Richardson and being pegged as the next Barry Sanders. If you want to develop a running back, then develop Bryce.
Statistics & measurables:
Height: 5'11
Weight: 223 lb's
40 Yard Dash: 4.37-4.45
Bench Reps:22
Vertical: 34
With the 244th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select:
Marquette King, P, Fort Valley State
7th round selection and I know some of you hate any selections for kickers or punters but if you get it right then it really does help you in the long run. We caught up with an interview with Marquette a couple of weeks ago and with the punting position so up in arms for the Jets right now, there is definitely an oppurtunity for him to come in and compete in the autumn for the spot on the roster. One of the strongest legs in the draft and one of the strongest legs for a punter that I have seen since Shane Lechler. Not only does he have a strong leg however, he has the accuracy and hang time to allow his coverage units to go to work. He has worked out at most kicking camps this off-season and every single one has reported interest from scouts because of his overall game.
Height:6'0
Weight: 192lb's
OK guys, well that is what I believe to be my final mock of the season. Obviously it's pretty long so I appreciate if you read it from start to finish. Like I said, I wasn't impressed with the value/expected production balance with our picks and the safeties available.