The New York Jets have an immense amount of needs to address on Draft Day.\u00a0 The following is an analysis of these needs and potential prospects to fill them:<\/p>\n
Defensively:<\/b>\u00a0 They have to replace two outside linebackers, corner and likely a safety, not to mention add a pass rusher off the edge to help solidify a young talented defensive line.<\/p>\n
Offensively:<\/b>\u00a0 Besides a quarterback the Jets are in need of an all around running back that can rush between the tackles, be able to make moves in space and be a great receiver in the passing game.\u00a0 They need another playmaker at the wide receiver position because they just don\u2019t know what Santonio Holmes will look like coming off an injury.\u00a0 This year\u2019s draft crop of WRs is very deep, so a great playmaker should be available in rounds two or three.\u00a0 The Jets are also in desperate need of offensive lineman, especially guards.<\/p>\n
General Manager John Idzik will have to decide if the team drafts a quarterback prospect this year since Mark Sanchez might be cut after 2013, Tim Tebow is probably traded or released soon and Greg McElroy\u2019s future isn\u2019t set.\u00a0 Training camp competition in 2014 between a second year QB and a rookie QB from the 2014 draft could only help instill new GM Idzik\u2019s competition philosophy, so getting a young signal caller in the 2013 draft makes sense.<\/p>\n
The following list of players was comprised as a strictly \u201cfit the needs\u201d list.\u00a0 It is not to say that the Jets will take these particular players or if they will even be available for them when it\u2019s their turn to pick.\u00a0 However, it is based on need and includes a primary along with an alternative prospect.\u00a0 Some picks may seem like a reach, but in order to guarantee they fill holes, gain depth and create competition as Idzik has said time and time again, they must have a similar philosophy in April.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 DE – Ezekiel \u201cZiggy\u201d Ansah, BYU \/ G – Chance Warmack, Alabama<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Ansah is a raw yet talented DE from BYU.\u00a0 He is athletic, has very long arms and hasn\u2019t even cracked his full potential.\u00a0 Fans may ask, \u201cWhy pick a guy who\u2019s saw raw rather than a DE like Jarvis Jones or OLB Barkevious \u201cKeKe\u201d Mingo who has SEC experience?\u201d\u00a0 The reason: Carl Dunbar.\u00a0 Dunbar is one of the best defensive line coaches in the entire NFL.\u00a0 In one season with the Jets look what Dunbar made Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples into.\u00a0 There\u2019s no doubt that Dunbar can do the same for Ansah.\u00a0 Everyone talks about how to stop this new pistol formation, what better way than having a DE who can play the zone read option and be athletic enough to adjust and get to the quarterback on play action?\u00a0 To me Ansah, if still available, is a guy the Jets have to consider.<\/p>\n
If Ansah is off the board, and Chance Warmack is still there, I\u2019d look to take Warmack at #9.\u00a0 A lot of scouts and draft experts say to never draft an OG in the early first round.\u00a0 Warmack is a once in a decade guard who can be a staple at the position for the next 10-15 years for the Jets.\u00a0 With Matt Slauson and Brandon Moore set to test the open market, the Jets are in dire need of a guard.\u00a0 Moore will likely be too expensive for the Jets to keep.\u00a0 Although it\u2019s not necessarily the \u201csexy\u201d first round pick, imagine a line of D\u2019Brickashaw Ferguson, Chance Warmack and Nick Mangold solidifying that line for years to come.<\/p>\n
2. TE – Zach Ertz, Stanford \/ WR – Robert Woods, USC<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Ertz is the most well rounded TE in the draft.\u00a0 He\u2019s an excellent blocker in the run game, has tremendous hands in the passing game and the able to create separation while making tough catches in tight spaces.\u00a0 The Jets cannot rely on Hayden Smith and Jeff Cumberland to be their future tight ends and in a TE-heavy draft the Jets need to explore Ertz as a replacement\/upgrade from Dustin Keller.<\/p>\n
WR Robert Woods could easily be a 2nd<\/sup> round steal this year.\u00a0 Some would say that the 39th<\/sup> overall pick is a bit of a stretch for Woods, but question marks surrounding Santonio Holmes health and future with the team, Woods can be a very explosive #2 receiver in the future.\u00a0 He was overshadowed by the freakish athleticism and success of Marquice Lee at USC, but Woods is no slouch.\u00a0 Woods was a Biletnikoff finalist last year catching 112 passes for nearly 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns.\u00a0 There are some concerns with his health, but his production and upside far outweigh that risk.\u00a0 Another big selling point is Woods has a hand length of 9\u00bc.\u00a0 For a 6\u20191\u201d wide receiver that\u2019s something to look at.\u00a0 Not quite Hakeem Nicks 10\u00bd\u201d hands, but measured as one of the biggest in the combine.<\/p>\n 3. TE – Travis Kelce, Cincinnati \/ RB – Le\u2019Veon Bell, Michigan State<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n If Ertz is taken before the Jets pick or if they pass on Ertz, the next best TE option is Travis Kelce.\u00a0 Kelce is another big tough physical tight end with underrated pass catching abilities.\u00a0 Watching film on both he and San Diego State\u2019s TE Gavin Escobar I see a lot of similarities.\u00a0 Although Escobar may be a better athlete than Kelce, Kelce is a more solid route runner and can make tough catches in traffic a little better than Escobar.\u00a0 Jets fans wouldn\u2019t be upset if they took Escobar over Kelce, but it\u2019s a win-win for the Jets to get either guy.\u00a0 Kelce had some off the field issues in 2010, but his size and strength could make him a solid TE in the Jets new offensive system.<\/p>\n Le\u2019Veon Bell is another mid round steal if the Jets could land him.\u00a0 At 6\u20191\u201d 230 pounds, he\u2019s a big running back with sneaky quickness, excellent vision and tremendous pass catching ability.\u00a0 With Mornhinweg\u2019s new offensive philosophy the Jets will need a guy who can turn the corner on the outside in the run game, and also catch passes and get separation from slower linebackers covering.\u00a0 Bell could be all that and more.\u00a0 With Shonn Greene gone, the Jets need to pick a RB in this draft and if Bell\u2019s available the Jets would be wise to select him.<\/p>\n 4. S – T.J. McDonald, USC \/ OG – David Quessenberry, San Jose State University<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n McDonald may be high on the Jets safety board because his father, Tim McDonald, is the Jets secondary coach now.\u00a0 McDonald is big, strong and known as an \u201cin-the-box\u201d safety.\u00a0 With LaRon Landry most likely leaving, the Jets need an aggressive run stopping safety and McDonald could be the guy.\u00a0 The Jets have second-year players Antonio Allen and ball hawk safety Josh Bush but McDonald could add depth and see significant time right away.<\/p>\n Quessenberry had a terrific week at the Senior Bowl.\u00a0 People were very high on his performance.\u00a0 After the combine that stock dropped a bit, but there\u2019s no doubt, watching his footwork and pass protection in drills at Senior Bowl, that he can play guard in the NFL.\u00a0 If the Jets choose to go with a defensive player in the first round, Quessenberry may fall into their lap with their 103rd<\/sup> overall pick.<\/p>\n 5. RB – Christine Michael, Texas A&M \/ QB – Tyler Bray<\/i>, Tennessee<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n If the Jets do not land Le\u2019Veon Bell or if they want to ensure that they have three running backs in camp, they may choose Christine Michael as well (Bilal Powell, Bell, Michael).\u00a0 Michael\u2019s accomplishments were overshadowed by the incredible season Johnny Manziel had running the ball for the Aggies.\u00a0 Michael is a strong powerful runner that can hit the hole hard between the tackles and can make a quick explosive cuts.\u00a0 On top of being a back that can play all three downs he could be the extremely reliable goal line RB the Jets never seem to have.<\/p>\n Tyler Bray is an interesting prospect.\u00a0 He has a huge frame (6\u20196\u201d 232 lbs) and a big arm.\u00a0 He needs a tremendous amount of improvement to his footwork, speed and decision making, but he may be worth taking a shot at in the 5th<\/sup> round if he\u2019s still available.\u00a0 The Jets need to take a risk on a quarterback if their board suggests it at this point.\u00a0 They need competition in camp not only this year but for next.\u00a0 Looking towards 2014, the Jets will not have a QB under contract (if they get rid of Sanchez after 2013) so they need young QB competition.\u00a0 Granted Bray has a torn labrum he obtained during the Senior Bowl but he has the potential to be a successful passer in the NFL.<\/p>\n 6. WR – Aaron Dobson, Marshall \/ OLB – Trevardo Williams, UConn<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Dobson had a great career at Marshall.\u00a0 If the Jets want to stockpile wide outs in a wide receiver heavy draft, Dobson could be a steal in the 6th<\/sup> round.\u00a0 Dobson, like Robert Woods took a backseat this year to a young stud WR in Tommy Shuler.\u00a0 He had 57 receptions for almost 700 yards.\u00a0 In 2011, he scored 12 touchdowns, so he has a nose for the end zone.\u00a0 He could help the Jets as a 4th<\/sup> WR in case of injury or if Stephen Hill doesn\u2019t improve.\u00a0 He\u2019s a big play receiver after he catches the ball, which the Jets are going to need in the future.<\/p>\n Trevardo Williams has had a great deal of success as a pass rusher in his career at UConn.\u00a0 He is slightly undersized but plays with leverage and is very strong.\u00a0 He could be a great pick-up for the Jets in the 6th<\/sup> round in a position they so desperately need to rebuild.\u00a0 He has a relentless motor, tracking down plays on the backside often.\u00a0 He is a pure speed rusher, that didn\u2019t have to drop into coverage often in college so it\u2019s hard to say if he\u2019ll be well rounded.\u00a0 In the 6th<\/sup> round, he\u2019s worth the risk.<\/p>\n 7. OT – Braden Brown, BYU \/ RB – Montel Harris, Temple<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The 7th<\/sup> round is a tough round.\u00a0 In a generally weak draft, it\u2019s not evident that players in this round have a significant role in the NFL in their career.\u00a0 Then again, who knows what these players can become.\u00a0 Braden Brown could be a great selection in the 7th<\/sup> round.\u00a0 The Jets tried to take an OL Robert Griffin (the other RG in last year\u2019s draft) and he never made the squad.\u00a0 Brown is a much different prospect.\u00a0 His footwork needs some improvement, but he is a hard working high motor kid who\u2019s humble and wants to make himself better.\u00a0 The Jets need OT depth in case of injury to Ferguson or if Howard plays poorly (Austin Howard gave up more sacks last season than Wayne Hunter did in 2011).<\/p>\n The Jets, in the past few years, have seemed to like taking guys from local colleges.\u00a0 Harris had a very successful 2012 campaign for the Owls.\u00a0 He\u2019s very undersized and doesn\u2019t have elite speed, but he can be a change of pace back if the Jets don\u2019t get their top RB choices earlier in the draft.<\/p>\n These choices may seem like a reach at points, but remember\u2026this list was put together to fit the needs of the team.\u00a0 The draft will not be able to solve all of the Jets issues, but the choices in this article would definitely help.\u00a0 There are so many different ways the Jets can go in this draft, but if they chose to pick in this order, I don\u2019t think many fans would complain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The New York Jets have an immense amount of needs to address on Draft Day.\u00a0 The following is an analysis of these needs and potential prospects to fill them: Defensively:\u00a0 They have to replace two outside linebackers, corner and likely a safety, not to mention add a pass rusher off the edge to help solidify […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":18414,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,6,1337],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-18412","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl-draft","8":"category-featured-editorials","9":"category-home-slider"},"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Draft_2013_rgb.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/peLffi-4MY","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18412"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18456,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18412\/revisions\/18456"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}