Jets Strategy for the Draft
The 2005 NFL Draft is only 24 days away.
For
the Jets, the big question is what are they going to do with their
first round pick? With glaring needs at a few positions, it is hard to
tell. So how do we figure it out?
First, let's assume the the
Jets will try to find a player with their first pick that can start
early in the season. Just look to last year. The Jets first pick, Jonathan Vilma (who
we all recognize as a clear leader and playmaker), was behind still
Cowart on the depth chart coming out of the pre-season, so nothing is a
guarantee.
Second, let's assume that the Jets not sign anyone
between here and the draft. If they do, we will consider it a bonus and
re-address the needs, but for now, we can only go with facts, and
speculating they might or might not sign a wily vet, or make a trade is
just conjecture, for this discussion, assume that the Jets will address
their needs through the draft. I think it makes sense to look at three
positions that will get filled with the first pick by Woody and the
Jets' Front Office, but please tell me if you think thatI am missing
out on something.
In Order of Importance:
- Cornerback
- When names like Ty Law are thrown around in connection with the Jets,
even lightly, it should give you a sense of how the Jets value corner
right now. With 4-5 different cornerbacks mentioned as possible first
rounders, the Jets can see the depth, would likely have at least 1 of
the 4-5 players available to them at #26. It can be argued that corner
is not a must right now. If the Jets were susceptible to long passes
last year, the Jets are still one injury away from having their corners
get their doors blown off. - Tight End -
Initially, I had ranked TE first due to the fact that only Chris Baker
remains. As our friend Bent has speculated, I hope the Jets see that
losing Becht and getting anyone else as the catching TE is addition by
subtraction. What gives me clues to this? Just look to the fact that
the Jets were interested in bringing in Ken Dilger, who even on his
last legs, I consider an upgrade.
With only one TE expected to go in the first round, this could be a
gamble for the Jets. Do they perceive Miller's value higher than the
rest? Or do they see that there will be plenty of options in the 2nd
and 3rd round? - Offensive Tackle – With
McKenzie gone, there is still a need at Tackle. There are few bright
stars at Tackle this year in the draft, so some of the best Tackles in
this class might fall to the Jets' spot. Early on, there were rumors of
moving Fabini to RT and signing a heavy hitter, which obviously didn't
happen. I am sure the Jets are looking to Heimerdinger for direction,
but I have not seen him enough to know what he values. Coming from
Shanahan University, you have to expect he puts a premium on lineman,
but at the same time, does Heimerdinger think he can find a diamond in
the rough?
