I absolutely LOVE the NFL Draft. For the returning champs it’s about trying to begin their title defense. For teams that just missed the playoffs it’s about trying to fill that one need that should get them over the hump. And for us Jets fans, it’s about screwing it up royally by taking an over hyped TE, lame duck FB, or just plain ‘ol passing on future HOF’s with our first round pick. No seriously, the Jets have done a great job drafting in recent years under Mangini and Tannenbaum and hopefully they’ll do a great job again this weekend.
Leading up to the draft I’m constantly reading player analysis, sifting through hundreds of mock drafts, listening to Mel Kiper, Todd McShay and other draft experts, and scouring forums to see what the latest news is. I was in my favorite forum this morning and one of the frequent posters suggested I check out this ridiculous article on the Jets’ draft day needs and what they should do with the 6th overall pick. Here’s the link:
Snapperhead #1
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/specials/draft/2008/04/24/lombardi.iwould/index.html?eref=T1
I’ve got to say I couldn’t stop laughing at what I was reading. I mean this guy had to be on some sort of hallucinogenic when he wrote this...literally. “Plan A” sounds like some cockamamie scheme drawn-up by the A-Team or something (I actually love the A-Team btw). His big plan was to work the phones, use a little smokescreen, work the phones some more, use an even bigger smokescreen, then take their guy about…oh…ten picks too soon. Yeah! That’s how you do it. We showed them! And “Plan B” is just idiotic. Look, I love Jonathan Stewart and think he’ll be a very good NFL running back, but not at pick # 6 overall.
Snapperhead # 2
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2008/04/23/2008-04-23_jets_draft_plans_include_inside_lineback-1.html
This one is great too. In the very beginning Rich Cimini gives the Jets’ a LB need rating of “6” based upon a scale of 1-10. So, he’s basically saying that LB is not that big of a need based upon his need scale…right? The Jets obviously should be looking to fill needs other than LB, right? Maybe they should target a Darren McFadden? Maybe a top flight CB? Right? Wrong. Cimini goes on to say that we should use the # 6 pick or at the very least our 2nd rounder to grab a LB. The same position for which he gave just a “6” on the need scale. Where do they get these guys from?
So now that I’ve criticized other people’s opinions on what the Jets should do in the draft, what do I think the Jets need? In order of priority I’d say it goes something like: CB, OL, DL, QB, RB, LB.
CB – They’ve got nobody worthy of starting across last year’s 1st rounder Darrelle Revis and you need at least 2 solid corners in todays NFL. They could possibly take a Leodis McKelvin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Mike Jenkins if they trade down in the 1st round. If not, then definitely an Antoine Cason, Justin King or Brandon Flowers in the 2nd round.
OL – They brought in All Pro Alan Faneca and Damien Woody but they’re not getting any younger. Depth and youth on the offensive line is very important (see the 2007 St. Louis Rams for an example). They should use their 4th rounders to grab at least one and maybe two.
DL – They acquired Kris Jenkins and still have Shaun Ellis and youngster Kenyon Coleman. Jenkins is injury prone and both he and Ellis aren’t getting any younger. Depending on what they do in the first, maybe use their 2nd round pick on a Lawrence Jackson, Kentwan Balmer or Calais Campbell (if they’re still available of course).
QB – Pennington’s neither the long nor short term answer and Clemens didn’t impress last year. However, he played behind a patchwork offensive line and should at least be given this year to show if he’s capable of leading this team. A late round pick on a guy like Colt Brennan, Erik Ainge or John David Booty would add depth and youth at the position.
RB – They’ve already got Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Jesse Chatman. Jones is on the wrong side of 30, Washington can’t handle a full load and Chatman is well…Chatman. If Run DMC is still on the board at pick 6, then you’ve got to get him. He’s fast, he’s physical
(the nastiest stiff arm this side of LT), he can catch and can actually block. He’s a guy that opposing teams will be afraid of, a game breaker
and will be a star in this league. Please god let the Jets take him if he’s there at 6!
LB – They’ve got a nice tandem with Pace and Thomas outside and man crush David Harris and Eric Barton inside. With that being said, if Run DMC is gone and either Chris Long or Vernon Gholston are still on the board at pick 6, I think you’ve got to take them. They’re too good to pass up. I’d prefer Gholston over Long because a natural pass rusher in the NFL carries a lot of weight (see the 2007 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants).
2008 New York Jets Draft Class
Round 1 – Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas, 6’1 211lbs or Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio State, 6'3 266lbs
Round 2 – Antoine Cason, CB Arizona, 6’0 191lbs
Round 4 – Frank Okam, DT Texas, 6’4 347lbs
Round 4 – Anthony Collins, LT Kansas, 6’5 317lbs
Round 6 – Colt Brennan, QB Hawaii, 6’2 207lbs
Round 7 – Marc Magro, LB West Virginia, 6’1 244lbs