With the 49th pick of the draft…
… the Jets moved up to get Kellen Clemens. That is of course after moving down to let the Redskins move up in the second. While allowing Clemens to drop further and picking up some value in the process, the front office made some shrewd moves to get the top second-tier QB on the board, while stockpiling some picks for 2006 and 2007.
The Jets fleeced the Redskins by grabbing a second rounder next year as well their second rounder this year and an additional sixth rounder. Clemens has been talked about as an “under the radar” type of guy. I think today I even saw Salisbury (I know, I know…) talk about Clemens and say he will be the Quarterback out of the 2006 class in three years. A guy that the Jets had visited with during their big road trip a few weeks back, Clemens brings a good short range passer to the team with some downfield abilities, though he has some work to do on his deep balls. He is a low-risk pick that could pay big dividends for the Jets. Here is the Scouts, Inc. assessment:
Strengths: Has adequate bulk and is well-built. Has trimmed down and has noticeably improved his speed and quickness. Gets set quickly. Is able to scramble and seems most comfortable on the run. Has a strong arm. Gets good RPM's on the deep out route. Can fit the ball into tight spots and can make all the throws in the NFL. Has good vision and some elusiveness as a runner. Is quicker than fast. He throws well on the run. He has adequate mechanics. A quick and high release. Will follow through. Does a good job of getting his shoulder's square when throwing on the run. Has just decent arm strength but gets rid of the ball quickly and has good accuracy in the short-to-intermediate zones. Shows touch and timing underneath. He's a high-energy QB and a vocal leader. Plays the game hard and has continued to improve. Is competitive and tough.
Weaknesses: Durability is a minor concern after season-ending ankle injury in 2005. Has decent size but lacks ideal height. Is impatient as a pocket passer. Seems to have some trouble finding passing windows. Is inconsistent on the deep ball. Does not show great touch or timing on vertical routes. Needs to get more air under his deep throws. Is an inconsistent performer. Needs to learn to step up in the pocket. Good leader and hard-worker but can be a bit too excitable at times. Poise and patience should come with maturity.
2 Responses to With the 49th pick of the draft…
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96debacle says:
Sounds coachable to me. Which is perfect in our current situation.
Not to mention we don't have to sell the farm to sign this guy like we would have with Leinard.
If you factor in the rumor the Jets were high on the first 5 QBs, this very well could be a steal. We all know it doesn't take a 1st rounder to get a Hall of Fame QB, nor a couple of Championships, or a Super Bowl.
As always…we shall see. (Thats right 'B' I stole it!)
Would have liked to see White or Addia with that 29th pick instead of a second O-lineman, But I'm happy up till here…
Never saw him play but am concerned we got another Kenny O'Brien in that Cullen was sacked 40 times in 2004. D'Brickashaw better be able to hold a block so this guy can get the ball off or we're gonna see a lot of 3rd and +15 and 4th and +20 situations in the future.