Jets Draft Picks: Best and Worst Case Scenarios

Let's be honest for a second. You and I have opinions on the players the Jets drafted. There is evidence to back up these opinions. None of us really knows for sure whether any of these guys will pan out. Let's try and figure out best and worst case scenarios for the rookie seasons of the twelve players the Jets drafted. Let's also try and be realistic. The Jets are not going to have twelve rookies on the All Pro team.

Calvin Pryor

Best case: He's an instant impact performer and a real difference maker. Rex Ryan uses his athletic ability to line up all over the place and create havoc on defense. He uses his range to produce interceptions on defense. He makes slot receivers hesitant to go over the middle with his big hits. He forces fumbles. He's the safety this defense has been lacking.

Worst case: The Jets make him a day one starter and immediately have him make the calls in this complex defense. It's too much too soon for a rookie. He can't grasp the playbook immediately, and the Jets have all kinds of problems getting lined up. He makes an impact as a hitter, but these tend to be empty calories as he struggles in coverage, misses tackles, and takes bad angles resulting in big plays. Those monster hits he creates also result in too many penalties.

Jace Amaro

Best case: He steps right in and gives Geno Smith a third quality target with Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley. Marty Mornhinweg uses his daunting measurables to create favorable matchups. Amaro has a rookie year comparable to Rob Gronkowski and serves as an effective if unspectacular receiver. His blocking progresses as the year goes on, and he shows flashes of what could be to come in a breakout second year.

Worst case: As most rookie wide receivers and tight ends do, Amaro makes a minimal contribution and struggles to take playing time from even Jeff Cumberland. This year amounts to a redshirt as Amaro needs time to adjust to a new playbook, new routes, new responsibilities and defenses that are bigger, faster, and more complicated.

Dexter McDougle

Best case: John is a fool. McDougle takes to press coverage quickly and wins the starting job opposite Dee Milliner in training camp. He is one of the few rookies to play quality ball at cornerback and proves to be a perfect fit in Rex Ryan's physical defense.

Worst case: John is right for once. McDougle looks like a fish out of water in training camp and the preseason to the point where he doesn't dress once the regular season starts. When he does play, he mainly sees time on special teams and as a blitzer in subpackages.

Jalen Saunders

Best case: From day one he adds some juice to the punt return game. He carves out a niche on offense as a useful little gadget. The Jets move him all over the place from the backfield to the slot to motion to get him the football in space.

Worst case: That 40 time in the mid 4.4's just isn't the kind of blazing speed a 165 pound player needs to win in the NFL. And if a player that size can't win with speed...

Shaquelle Evans

Best case: When nobody distinguishes themselves in the open competition to start at wide receiver, the Jets go with Evans, the player with the most room to grow. He does a decent job as a possession receiver as the fourth or fifth option on this offense.

Worst case: Stephen Hill has a big preseason, leading to Evans not making the final roster.

Dakota Dozier

Best case: Dozier takes to guard and impresses the coaching staff so much that he wins the starting left guard job. He is a mauler in the run game, and his pass protection comes along playing between D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold.

Worst case: He is so raw that he earns the Aboushi/Campbell rookie redshirt, rarely dressing for games.

Jeremiah George

Best case: Like David Harris and Jonathan Vilma before him, an injury presses him into a starting role as a rookie, and he never looks back. His instincts make up for a lack of physical ability, and he becomes a tackling machien.

Worst case: His instincts do not make up for a lack of physical ability, and he finds himself relegated to special teams duty.

Brandon Dixon

Best case: He shows enough progress during the season to make his way from the practice squad to the active roster in the second half. He eventually sees some time in subpackages.

Worst case: His technique doesn't get better, and the Jets decide to part from him after one year.

Quincy Enunwa

Best case: His lack of production in college was really due to his surroundings, a run heavy offense and poor coaching. He is a quick learner and combines a vastly improved technique to snatch a starting job opposite Eric Decker.

Worst case: His technical issues are too much to overcome in just a few months. Hello, practice squad.

IK Enemkpali

Best case: His violent style of play catches Rex Ryan's eye, and he flashes enough versatility to end up backing up multiple spots with a chance to develop and grow into some playing time in the future.

Worst case: His athletic deficiencies show him to not be an NFL caliber talent. He gets cut, and the Jets don't even bother to carry him on the practice squad.

Tajh Boyd

Best case: What's best for Boyd probably isn't what is best for the Jets. Geno Smith shows no growth. Michael Vick suffers a season-ending injury in the first half. The season goes nowhere. Just looking for some kind of spark to try and salvage his job, Rex Ryan turns to Boyd in Week 16. Boyd turns in a pair of solid performances. He shows adequate accuracy, protects the ball, and makes some plays with his feet. The Jets wonder whether they might have something heading into the offseason.

Worst case: Matt Simms has another huge preseason and makes the team as the third quarterback over Boyd.

Trevor Reilly

Best case: He flashes enough as a pass rusher in training camp and preseason to take over the situational pass rusher role and make Antwan Barnes expendable.

Worst case: His college success was based on him being older and more physically developed than his opponents. He gets manhandled in the NFL and fails to make the team.