DTI JETS DRAFT PREVIEW

Our NFL Draft expert DTI returns with his draft preview for the New York Jets!

The only thing harder than watching us go 8-8 and barely miss the playoffs is not having a higher draft pick this year. This draft class is one of the better in recent years. That being said, there is a lot of depth at certain positions.

First off, I don't see us moving around in the draft a ton. For what its worth, we have historically drafted well from the middle of the pack in the first rd. I consider the middle being picks 11-22.

2007- #14- Darrell Revis
2004- #12- Jonathan Vilma
2002- #22- Bryan Thomas
2001- #16- Santana Moss
2000- #12- Shawn Ellis, #13-John Abraham, #18- Chad Pennington

I see us needing to fill holes at these 5 positions but we could definitely upgrade at others. It also depends on Free Agency of course. I put question marks by things that are considered needs but not priority needs because we either have a backup with potential or may resign a player to comeback which would fill that position. My take is always that we draft the best player available at a position of need. So what position we draft first would depend on who is taken.

The positions of need include: S, OG, MLB?, DE, WR, RB?, DT?

Safety
I would rather us not draft a S with the first pick because of the depth at the position. What I would like to see is us target a S in the 2nd or 3rd round. This position is our weakest because we basically could use a SS and FS because of Jim Leonards injuries in recent seasons.

Mark Barron (Proj Rd: 1st)- Alabama- The best safety in this draft. He will probably be there at #16 so he would be our 1st choice.

Harrison Smith (Proj Rd: 2nd) Notre Dame- This guy was a 4 year starter at Notre Dame. He lacks ultra speed but makes up for it with ball skills and play recognition. Jim Leonard type player.

Janzen Jackson- (Proj. Rd: 3rd-4th) McNeese State- This is the guy I would want. We could grab him in the 3rd. He is a sleeper in this draft. He started for Tennessee but got into some off the field trouble. He got his head on straight and turned out to be a superstar. Crazy athletic and would be a steal in the 3rd.

OG
If we want a starter at this position we need to grab one of the top 2 guys. This position is deep though. Taking an OL in the first round is not sexy at all but it seemed to work out great when we got Mangold and D'Brick.


David Decastro (Proj Rd: 1st)- Stanford- If we grab this guy at #16 we may have 3 OL starting in the Pro Bowl in the next several years. I think we could trade down and get him in the late 1st and pick up another 2nd or 3rd rounder.

Kevin Zeitler (Proj Rd: 2nd)- Wisconsin- This guy was an All American OG at Wisconsin. Nuff said. There is a reason all these heisman candidate RBs from Wisconsin dont have good NFL careers, because its their OL that is amazing. We could rush for 2000 yrds at Wisconsin. This guy led college football in Knockdown blocks which means he is a terror. He is also very smart and is said to be OCD which teammates say helped him on the field. He would be a solid pick in Rd. 2.

Sleeper: Adam Gettis- Iowa- Undersized but had one of the best combines of any OL.

MLB
If we lose Bart Scott we need a guy in the middle next to Harris. If I could choose any 3 players in this draft 2 would be QBs (Luck and RG3) and the other would be a MLB.

Luke Kuechly (Proj Rd: Top 15)- Boston College- This guy is the next Brian Urlacher. He has a nose for the ball and you can tell when you watch him. When the whistle blows he is either the one to make the tackle or at least on the pile every time. This guy will QB a defense for years and instantly make your D better. He led all defensive players in tackles from his Sop-Junior year and was 2nd in the nation when he was a true Fresh. If I were to guess he will go to the Eagles at #15 or Ravens if we don't grab him.

Mychal Kendricks (Proj Rd: 1-2)- California- Good motor. Will have a good career but not great. Some injury issues and I think we can get better players at other positions at 1 and 2.

Vontaze Burflict (Proj Rd: 3-4)- Arizona St- His draft stock dropped maybe more than any other player this year because of his disappointing combine and constant issues with personal foul penalties ect. If we c


harness this guys attitude and intensity this guy would be a steal. He is a hard hitter and has a nose for the ball. A lot of people don;t like him but I watched him play in several games and I would take him on my D. I'm sure Rex would too.

DE/OLB
If we choose a DE it would prob be a hybrid. For as good as Rex's defense has been he has historically picked some good ones at the hybrid spot. I have yet to see it in NY though. Aaron Maybin's verdict is still out but so far so good.

Melvin Ingram (Proj Rd: 1)- South Carolina- This guy will probably be gone after his combine but it depends. Either him or Upshaw will probably be left.

Courtney Upshaw (Proj Rd: 1-2)- Alabama- Upshaw's draft stock fell after a tough combine but I would still take him at #16 before Ingram. He was the National Championship player of the game. He has a good motor and is a playmaker on D. Better pass rusher too. I was a lot higher on this guy during the season but still think he would be an immediate impact on a D that needs to get better at the pass rush now.

WR
Looks like Santonio is coming back and Burress is leaving. Another crap year by Sanchez and Holmes will prob hit the road. I think Kerley is a serviceable #3 WR but we need another guy to be our #2. If we can't get one in FA we can find several in this years draft.

Kendall Wright (Proj Rd: 2)- Baylor- Had a tough combine and didn't run nearly as goos as people thought. He is still a speedster and would be a Desean Jackson/Santana Moss type.


Stephen Hill (Proj: 2)- Georgia Tech- I'm not sure about this guy. He had the best combine out of any WR because of his speed but I can't help to think that this is the type of guy the Raiders draft every year and it never pans out. If he goes earlier than the 2nd its a reach but since he is that fast and 6'4" 215 I think many teams will be licking their chops.

Alshon Jeffrey (Proj Rd: 2)- South Caroline- This guy reminds me of H. Nicks who I called a superstar before he was drafted. Not quite as athletic but I would still take him in the 2nd rd.

Sleeper: Marvin McNutt- Homer pick- Why not. If he is there in the 4th rd we better grab him. 3rd rd may be pushing it but of course I would be happy with it.

DT
Probably the deepest position in the draft. There is one guy 1-2 guys I would really want but about 5 or 6 would work. Michael Brockers-LSU is the #1 DT in the draft but he should be gone in the top 10.

Dontari Poe (Proj Rd: 1-2)- Memphis- Probably the biggest riser in the draft and has the biggest upside. This guy is huge at 6'4" 346 and is very fast for a DT.

RBs
I wasnt to impressed with the RB class this year except for a couple of guys. Trent Richardson would obviously be a good pick if he is there but he should be gone by #16. L James we could probably grab in the 3rd and would be a Leon Eashington, Darren Sproles type but not sure if its a need since we have McKnight and B. Powell that we drafted the last 2 years.