This is what the Jets do, after all. They come up with a list of needs going into the offseason and order them accordingly from highest to lowest. Sometimes things work out, sometimes there are surprises. There's the legendary story of Curtis Martin coming to the Jets even though running back was pretty far down the Jets' need list at the time. The same may be true this year -- the Jets don't really NEED a running back as badly as they do other positions, but can they pass on McFadden if he falls into their lap at No. 6 in the draft? I don't think he'll be around long enough for us to find out, but almost half of you who submitted a mock draft in the posting below had the Jets taking McFadden with the sixth pick.
Anyway, here are seven positions of varying need for the Jets in random order. We'll leave out offensive line since they seem to have covered that during free agency. Your job, dear Jets fan (or whoever else happens to pass by), is to prioritize them heading into the draft.
Outside defensive pass rusher (DE or OLB)
Interior defensive lineman
Inside linebacker
Cornerback
Wide receiver
Quarterback
Running back
If you want to add your own position of need -- safety or maybe even punter -- to the list, feel free. It'll be interesting to see how many different ways there are to view the Jets and the positions they need to improve between now and September when the 2008 season begins.
Oh, and feel free to keep those mock drafts coming here!
Comments (10)
Wide Receiver
Cornerback (assuming Barrett gets cut for cap savings)
Quarterback
Defensive End (Ellis is underwhelming)
Inside Linebacker
Nose Tackle (to replace Jenkins but Jets may choose to wait till next year to draft this position)
Outside Linebacker (Already have Pace, Thomas and Bowens)
Safety
Running Back
All that being said, I think the Jets draft RB only if McFadden is available at 6 and they can't trade down. I expect one WR and one CB out of this draft for sure. The Jets may get a QB (day one if they have three day one picks, day two if not). They will definitely draft an ILB but I think it will be with a day 2 pick. They may go after a player who can fill in at either NT or defensive end (see Rubin/Bryant) otherwise depth at OLB.
CB - Who will start opposite Revis? This has to come via the draft. Barrett isn't the answer. This position isn't more important than OLB, but at least the Jets have two passable starters at OLB. They don't at CB.
OLB - One never has enough pass rushers. This position, along with NT, are the 2 most important in the 3-4 alignment. Unless or until Pace or BLT prove they can provide a consistently dominant pass rush, the Jets need to keep drafting OLBs. There are quite a number of good prospects in this draft. This should be a priority.
WR - I think most Jets fans see this as a need, but I'm not convinced the Jets do. I don't think Bryan Smith is the answer. It's hard to tell with their FO, but they seem to love Coles since they have worked out a new deal with him and were willing to guarantee big money over the next 2 years even though he could be one hit away from retiring. I would love to see a tall WR with speed (Devin Thomas, Limas Sweed, or James Hardy). It usually takes a year or two for a WR to develop, so they really need to get one if possible, but it isn't a strength of the draft.
TE - Baker is more of a blocker. He has zero running ability after the catch. Franks may be too injury-prone. The Jets need a tall receiver that can get downfield, provide a bigger target for Clemens' wild arm, and provide another weapon for the offense. They may not be able to get a WR they like. There are a number of fast TEs in this draft who are good receivers who could fill the bill, and it is a pretty good strength of the draft.
DE - Having Jenkins in the middle should definitely help, but Ellis and Coleman need to be upgraded. It's my understanding that the primary pass rush doesn't come from the DE position in the 3-4, but rather the OLBs, so the Jets need someone stout who can hold their ground, stop the run, and provide some push/pressure vs the pass. Red Bryant seems like the perfect choice as he could play DE, play DT in 4 man fronts, and even play NT if need be.
QB - The case could easily be made that this is their second or even first most glaring need. Chad is definitely not the answer long-term, and the jury's still out on Clemens. It's too early to give up on Clemens, but he may be nothing more than a backup. Next year's draft is going to be a QB poor one, and besides, it takes a year or more for most QBs to develop and learn the system. Even if Clemens does prove to be an excellent starter in '08, they will need a reliable backup in '09. There are some very good prospects, some of which could be available in mid-to-lower rounds (Bernard Morris, Dennis Dixon), or the Brohm, Flacco or Henne might be available at #36.
OL - Even though they addressed the OL in a big way in FA, OT is one of the strengths of this draft. I'm not sold on Woody as a RT. Even if he does prove to be the answer for 2-3 years, the Jets need to find and groom his replacement. It's not a great draft for OGs, but the Jets need someone for Faneca to help mentor and groom.
NT - They seem to have finally filled this glaring need with the addition of Jenkins, but if Ahtyba Rubin is there in the 6th round, he would probably be too good a value to pass up.
S - They could use an upgrade opposite Rhodes, but have too many other needs, and it isn't a strength of this draft.
RB - Not really a need at all, but it would be difficult to pass on McFadden. It would also be great to finally have an every down RB who could score from anywhere on the field.
CB
WR (close second)
OLB(Pass Rush/ can't trust BT)
IL(Bartons Last year)
S(Elam???)
DE(Ellis/Coleman are solid)
Outside defensive pass rusher (DE or OLB) -
The Jets had the worst pass rush in ages last season... nuff said.
Cornerback -
with no Poteat in sight, who will play across from Darelle Revis? Please do not say Justin Miller! Also, where is the depth?
Wide receiver -
There is no 3rd WR on this roster... Brad Smith isn't consistent or tough enough.
Quarterback -
Do I really need to get into this one? It could be our biggest need or smallest worry... its all up to Kellen Clemens if you ask me. Chad can still be a capable starter, but there's not much left in that twice-repaired shoulder...
Inside linebacker -
Assuming that Barton is the inside starter next to Harris, I think it's time to start looking towards the future...
Interior defensive lineman -
Can never have enough!
Running back -
Despite it being a low priority, I still hope the Jets pick up Darren McFadden in the draft. I really think he's that good. Ask yourself this... when was the last time the Jets had a legit homerun hit in the backfield? Freeman McNeill?
I'd like to add OT to my last post. I really don't know how much Woody will do and the Jets need a viable backup at the Ot position anyways. So, I do expect the Jets to draft a WR with one of their day one picks. After that, I think they will come away from the draft with an OT, ILB (Barton won't be here long), DE (very little depth here and Ellis/Coleman are underwhelming. I'll let the coaches decide who's the bigger problem), QB (I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around Ratliff as the 3rd stringer) and CB.
All that being said, I would not be surprised to see the Jets draft an OLB or a RB (if its McFadden). The OT pick could turn into an OG depending on where the Jets see Bender placing and where they see him in his development. My three biggest needs are WR, DE, and CB.
===Quarterback===
Our absolute, biggest need. Chad can't consistently make all the throws and Kellen is unproven. What have you got next year if KC doesn't work out this year? I'm a big Flacco fan, even at 6 because he's gone by 36.
===Outside defensive pass rusher (DE or OLB)===
We're as set at DE and OLB as we are WR: We've got bodies but need impact talent at all three positions. Also, you can't have enough OLB's or DE's and these positions can change games probably even more than WR. I'd take a good one over any other position, except QB.
===Cornerback===
Draft is deep at DB. Also, it's more coachable than DE or QB and that's why it's third here.
===Wide receiver===
We need impact talent here: we need size or else a deep threat, which requires having a QB who is a deep threat.
===Inside linebacker===
We've got options but an upgrade here would have a big impact.
===Interior defensive lineman===
Depth/To groom
===Running back===
Need a playmaker, but the draft offers playmakers every year who can step in right away. Also, risky taking RB's high. Take D-Mac only if he falls to 6 and you can't trade the spot.
Offensive Tackle remains a top need, Woody is not proven, he should play guard.
In order;
WR, CB,ILB,OT,QB
I say a Quarterback that can punt so we can we can surprise the defenses and play field position...
Cornerback
Wide receiver
Inside linebacker
Outside defensive pass rusher (DE or OLB)
Interior defensive lineman
Quarterback
Running back
i'd like to touch on your appearance on NFL.com's mock draft representing the Jets pick at #6.
How do you pick QB Matt Ryan when DE/OLB Vernon Gholston is still on the board, clearly a player who could impact the team this year?
And your reasoning for picking Ryan was totally ridiculous! For the same doubt you have in Clemens you'd gamble on a #6 draft pick to bring in Ryan! Not only that but you said you'd trade Pennington and leave Clemens with Ryan backing him up?! Do you actually put any thought into your opinions?
The Jets offseason moves clearly show they're not looking to draft a QB in the 1st round. This team is built to win now not in 3 or 4 years from now. Even if Ryan were the BAP left at 6 drafting him would not help the team. It's actually counterproductive since there are needs that could be filled with that draft pick.
Look Rock, our QB situation is what it is, which means drafting a QB this year won't make the position better anytime soon. Want to improve the QB position. Make the team better. Draft players that will help win more games now. A lot of ills will be overlooked with winning. Even Manning and Brady need good teams around them to win games. The Jets offseason moves show they are giving Clemens the benefit of the doubt, unlike you, and want to put the best team around him.
You were suppose to be picking for the Jets weren't you? But of course you had to make a mockery of the the Jets mock draft.