Pre-Draft Roster Analysis: Wide Receivers
As we head towards the draft, we’re going to look the position groups to assess the current roster, before determining who the team should look at in the draft.
Jets Wide Receivers
Jerricho Cotchery — The current number one, it still remains to be seen what Cotchery can do without Laveranues Coles lined up on the other side of the field from him. Cotchery has been decently productive, but he’s a tough possession receiver, not a speedy home-run threat.
Chansi Stuckey — After a rookie year on the IR, Stuckey came on as a surprise to many in his second season. Although his targets drastically decreased as the season went on, it was because Dustin Keller was taking snaps at slot, where Stuckey had earlier in the season. It remains to be seen whether Stuckey is a starter level player in the NFL,
Brad Smith — Now into his fourth year, many expected to see more progress from the young player on offense. With the size and speed that you’d hope could have translated to receiver by now, Smith might be gone after this season with the Jets. A special teams standout, Smith has been invaluable to the Jets coverage units.
David Clowney — The real quandry, Clowney is an upside player, who has buckled down but might be too brittle to play on special teams. So either he needs to become a starter or get out of the way for more effective players on specials.
Wallace Wright — Wright’s never been worked in much on offense, but his real value is his special teams ability, where he’s one of the league’s best coverage players.
Marcus Henry — Henry is a tall possession receiver who doesn’t play to his 4.56 40 time. Raw because he came out of Kansas early as a Junior, Henry struggled to keep a roster spot for the Jets last season, and ended the year mostly on the practice squad. Henry has upside, but he needs to contribute on special teams to stay on this roster.
Paul Raymond — The speedy track star from Brown, Raymond was bumped on and off the practice squad much of last season. Raymond has the slight build like a DeSean Jackson type, so would struggle other than as a punt returner to find a place on special teams.
Huey Whittaker — Camp fodder. Whittaker has the size (6-2 220), but not the speed (timed in the 4.6s a few years ago).
Analysis: Brian Schottenheimer loves to work defenses on three levels in the passing game often on the same side of the field, short (RB into the flat), intermediate (TEs or short WR routes) and long (crossing deep WR, or straight WR routes). To fit that dynamic, the roster has the guys for the short and intermediate routes, but the component that is missing is the legitimate deep threat. A deep threat can pull a safety away from where the action is, keep a defender from crowding the box against the run, and provides a level of honesty to defenses from an offense that relies on a steady dose of running plays.
The roster has some upside guys, but the only truly vertical threat that the team has is David Clowney. If the team is as settled on their QB situation as they’ve seemed to be letting on, they need to add another dimension to the offense. A smaller burner with good hands or a taller option with decent speed would be the right players to grab in the draft.
Players like Darius Heyward-Bey have shown incredible speed, but his hands are suspect. Percy Harvin can stretch the field, but really projects to me more of a physical possession player. Kenny Britt might be an interesting choice, but most folks see him as a possession receiver as well, something that the team already has strength in between Cotchery, Stuckey and Keller.
Suggested Best Fits: Jeremy Maclin, Brian Robiskie, Derrick Williams
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion/Bassett
I hate the idea of using an early pick on a WR. What about Mike Thomas from Arizona in the 3rd round. I get all my information about the draft from Ourlad’s so I’ve never even seen the guy. He just sounds ideal. Says he was “ultra-productive” and the “all-time leading pac-10 reception leader. Listed as 4.30 speed. The drawback is his height (5-7). But, its hard to argue with his production. Anyone know anything about this guy?
How about Louis Murphy from Florida in the 3rd, he has nice size and good speed. We can address other issues first and still come out of the draft with what we needed a down field tall threat. I haven’t heard many people talking about Murphy but how do you like him Bassett?
I know I sound like a broken record but Torry holt will solve a lot of problems for us, he exactly what we need a #1 receiver, a burner, he draw double teams his nick name should be krazy because his hands is glue then we have a chance to develop clowney stuckey and henry before drafting another young receiver
Holt isn’t better than Cotchery at this point in his career. He would be a good #2 though. If we do sign him I think we should still take a WR on the 1st day and try and develop them over the next few years.
In the NFL you have to be able to run good routes, and get off of the line quickly. That is probably why they are looking at Austin. Florida receivers usually do not equal their college stats in the pros.
why dont we go for derrick williams from penn state in a later round. Although hes only 6 foot he has harvin and bey type speed.
I think signing Austin would be a good move. He is more NFL ready than anyone they could draft, and would compliment Cotchery well.
Dag, when I look at our roster I see a hdge podge of posessio WRs, slot WRs and something I call sofarbignobodies. Clowney is the wild card, but much like Miles Austin, the guy’s been hurt a lot. And he has the Charlie Rogers injury which could be permeately crippling. If Rogers, I mean Clowney blossoms I think he will be much like Macklin in the draft. So I woudn’t spend a 1st pick on on a WR at this point in my thinking. Here are some people would could get later on:
-Kenny Britt, Louis Murphy, Brian Robiskie in the 2
-Ramses Barden in the 3.
-Patrick Turner, Aaron Kelly, Jaison Williams on day 2.
-I’m am absolutely against getting a small productive WR because, as you can see, we’ve got plenty of that on our roster.
I wonder what Paul Raymond could do as a kick returner?
DHB or Kenny Britt fit the mold for what the Jets need. Someone who is big, can get down the sideline, go up and grab it, be a red zone threat and run your deep post well enough to go up and pull it down. Watching DHB is tough to assess, as these ACC schools he played against are weak at best, his QB was terrible, he looks stiff, doesn’t look like he has too many good moves and does not have the softest of hands. That being said, he reminds me of a Michael Irvin and T.O. type of WR. Not bad company, but those are high aspirations. Kenny Britt is more productive and poolished. In either case, I wouldn’t mind either of them being picked. However, I don’t want them picked at 17. I would prefer they go best available player in round 1 and trade up into late round 1 or two for the them, which seems to be a Mr T type move he prefers. Quality over quantity.
basset, you are normally very sharp and i respect your opinions, but if you think of percy harvin as a possession receiver, then you obviously didn’t watch any florida gators games this year.
I think what HOZ was implying is that holt is number 1 caliber.
The thing about WR in this draft is we just don’t know who will be available. Look at when we drafted Revis..other names like hall Ross and Houston were tossed around but we traded up and got our choice. None have been real bad but also none can compare to revis at this point. Hall got arrested for DUI I believe otherwise none of them have made headlines.
I don’t think anyone would be opposed to drafting crabtree but we all know he’s gone by 17, consensus is Maclin will be as well. At that point I don’t want to use our first pick on a WR just because..
Austin gives me a niggly on the back of my neck that reminds me of McCariens. Not saying he’s butterfingered, but I can’t shake the sense of foreboding this gives me.
DHB at 17 would be fine by me. Derrick Williams also a good fit. Both are tall and fast, and can fit the bill as described in above article.
“Best available player” — isn’t that how we wound up with Gholston and missed out on Mayo?
FYI change’o’subject, guys – the Pats are going to be Monsters this year – they’ve got something like 12 picks to our 6.
Random thought – Considering that Brady is coming back this year, something tells me that T-REX will draft a passrusher in the first round, making Derrick Williams or Britt (if avail…) or some other tall, speedy WR the second round pick.
After all, what could be more fun than seeing tommy boy eat mud – many times!!!
T I M
A WR is a must in rounds 1 or 2 especially if the Austin deal never happens.
WR/RB in 1&2…..
austin > mccarreans
I think Knowshon Moreno would be a great pick at #17. I don’t like the idea of drafting a WR in round one, with the exception of trading up for Crabtree or down for Britt.
Austin can CATCH better than McCareins. we don’t know that he can actually get on the field. To lose a 2nd round draft pick, that’s too much of a toss up.
lgs,
I know our Austin debate is over. If they don’t sign him, would you like to see the Jets draft a receiver in round 1 or wait until the 2nd or 3rd? I don’t think a 1st round WR would be a great move. I would love to see the Jets take Moreno or trade down. I know RB isn’t a great need but I think he could be a beast for the Jets for a long time. Also a good RB trio was a key component to the Ravens success last year, and it allowed them to develop Flacco slowly over the course of the season. We also saw how well the Giants did with 3 RB’s. I don’t think TJ will be around after this year, because he id do a big signing bonus and will be 32.
Why is Whitaker suddenly listed at 6′2″ (Jets website) when he was listed at 6′5″ in the AFL last year?
Are they now exaggerating heights in the AFL like they used to in WWF. (“The eight foot tall Giant Gonzalez!”)
FWIW CBS sports has him listed at 6′4″. We may have another Clemens “how tall is he really?” scenario on our hands.
Im not high on any round 1 guys outside of Crabtree and Britt. I posted a list earlier of good moves to make. You can get a good WR with the proper angling. it should be a day 1.
lgs,
I think Britt and Crabtree are the only NFL ready 1st round WR’s as well. I wish the Jets had the ammo to trade for Crabtree but I don’t think they do. I think we both agree that #17 would be too high for Britt. I’m still all for the Austin signing, but if that doesn’t work out, I think Britt would be a good pick if the Jets could trade down a little. I think he would compliment Cotchery and Clowney will, and is one of the more NFL ready WRs in the draft.
I am impressed with the posts so far. There is none of the must take a risky WR that we read about from all the mediaots — most are looking for round 3 possibles understanding the risk and reward values.
All worry about the Austin’s value and Cabras and Dylan have correctly assessed that the look at Austin reveals our FO’s reservations and confidence that the usual suspects available in round 1 will be able to stretch the field for us soon.
We need a WR, especially after we cut Brad Smith (one can hope). We already have Wallace Wright as a special teamer rather than WR and we don’t need another. I think we could keep Clowney and not play him on Specials if he can be the guy.
I expect DE or TE but expect to be shocked on draft night.
harlan
*well
This draft could go a lot of ways for us. I am excited to see our schedule tomorrow. Hopefully we will play some easier teams early in the season, because it will most likely take a couple weeks before our defense will be playing at the level its capable of. It would also allow our young QB to get a couple wins under their belt and raise their confidence a little. Obviously I am also hoping for our home games vs. Miami to be in the in December.
Nope, no Austin. Too much of a cost. Take Matt Jones. Can’t get with the giving up a pick for Miles Austin.
cowboy fans are hoping and wishing we sign him because they said he’s injury prone and not worthy of 2nd rd pick value
louis-
I agree that harvin has amazing quicks, but he’s decently strong and in the pros, he’s not going to be effective at his size and abilities — at least initially. It’s like reggie bush … he was an amazing collegiate athlete and might be in the pros, but quicks aren’t everything in the NFL … everyone’s faster and his timed 40s didn’t hit what folks expected of him.
so he’s fast … but not world-class for the NFL … then with his strength issues when facing pro level corners … he’s going to struggle against #1 or #2CBs to get off the line while jammed, and then burning deep and having to catch balls over the heads of much taller safeties. he could be effectively negated in one of his biggest strengths at least in the first few years.
harvin was a great collegiate player, no doubt … but how do they project him to even sniff playing at RB if he is not more a West Coast and/or possession style slant / screen type of receiver? he’ll be effective in short pass situations early on, but he’s just not big and physical enough to fight off doubles to be a good deep threat in the pros …the level of the game will change and i think will swallow him up for a few years at least.
also, there’s similarities between him and leon already, why bother to use two players in such a similar role? he’d have to do something different than leon for the Jets.
Stay away from Florida receivers, bad routes, can’t get off the line. See history.
The NFL ready receivers:
Watch Turner as a guy that’s very NFL ready, big, great routes, soft hands, descent speed.
Robiskie much the same with more speed.
Britt. Crabtree.
Quan Cosby would be a great pickup that can slot alllll day long and knows the entire pro-game.
Macklin.
That’s about it. Everyone else will take a couple years.
best of luck to all of them
No matter what happens with our first pick in the draft, whether it be with our 17th pick our a pick we trade down for in the first or early second; I think we grab Robiskie with a second round pick. He’s got a big filled-out frame already standing 6′2″ or so and he runs a sub 4.5 forty. Physical at the line and runs good routes, tools you need to help you have an edge over some other recievers in the NFL especially in jump-ball situations by out-muscleing the defender
Going out on a limb an giving him the Larry Fitzgerald comparision. Big, Physical, Fast, Good Route Running, and Snags the Ball at it’s highest Point.
I would def. like it if we pulled a move and got him in the second and snaged best player available at 17 or moved down with more picks.
Robiskie gets my vote of confidence!
Whatever happened to the CHAD JOHNSON buzz?
Lets be honest with ourselves — it is highly unlikely that the Jets can solve their WR deficiency in the draft. All the WRs mentioned in this post have serious flaws, and few will be effective as rookies. And Miles Austin is not promising either. Get a proven Pro Bowler! A legit #1 WR, ready to play on day 1?
Why do we draft guys and never use them ? Clemens, B.Smith and Marcus Henry ?? Obviously, we saw something in them to pick them. I find it incredible that we could pick guys that never contribute. Here we are looking for a tall reciever when we have one in Marcus Henry. I get not all draftees are going to contribute but i’m tired of watching teams pick studs and us pick what we “think” we need or could work.
We don’t have the cap room, smashmouth.
i dont think its worth taking any reciever in the first round who is not crabtree or macklin cause the other recievers to me are not worth a first round and i dont think miles austin will be a bad idea i mean he is proven and none of the recievers in this are well at least not yet and instead of comparing him to justin macarins he might actually end up like jerricho cotchery u know from nobody to somebody in this league.
i agree, i don’t think harvin would be good fit for this team (personally i’m smitten with maclin, even though we prob won’t get him), but to call him a possession guy is foolish when he can take a slant or a slip screen to the house
According to the National Football Post’s Michael Lombardi, the Browns have offers on the table for both Brady Quinn and Braylon Edwards and will likely move both players.
One team has reportedly made a standing offer of a first-round pick for Quinn, which the Browns will likely accept. They also have a package of at least a first-round pick on the table for Braylon Edwards, and Lombardi expects him to be dealt sometime this offseason. It’s clear now that the Browns are in full-blown rebuilding mode after Phil Savage left the roster in shambles. Apr. 12 – 9:02 am et
Courtesy of rotoworld.com
I think the Jets should consider giving up their #1 for Braylon Edwards. He would give them a clear #1 receiver and is definitely better than anyone WR they could draft at #17. If the Browns are asking for more the Jets could throw in Brad Smith.
Well Brad Smith might not be a bad idea…..maybe we can get Mangini to trade Edwards for Smith straight up HAHA ! he is a “Mangini guy.”
Lol that would be a classic “Manginius” move!
Even better we could try to get Brett Favre to come out of retirement and throw him into the mix as well. Seriously though, it seems like Braylon Edwards will definitely be traded before the draft. I would be willing to give up a #1 for him in a heartbeat. The Jets have an advantage over other teams because they can throw in a “mangini player” (definition: a unknown player with good character and next to no skills as a player). I don’t think Brad Smith would be playing much in Rex Ryan’s actual football system anyway.
Patrick Turner, will be a pro-bowl reciever. You hear it first right here. Out of tazzelrik’s mouth – Patrick Turner = Pro bowler.
A shout out to The Bird. Good Bless him.
How about ?
Michael Jones Arizona St.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 203 | 40-Time: 4.55
Strengths
Tall lanky receiver who goes up and gets it. Dominates the shorter corners. Good hands. Has gained some muscle mass since the 2008 season up to 211 from 203.
Weaknesses
Lacks the break away speed and needs to work on his routes and skills as a WR to develop into more than just the big WR who is a red zone threat.
Projection
5th-6th rounder.
If Crabtree drops past #4 the NY Jets should consider trading up (if the price is reasonable).
Maclin will be gone by 17 and trading up more than 1 or 2 spots to get him is going to cost too much.
Heyward-Bey might drop to 17, but that might indicate that teams are truly concerned about his hands. If the Jets research suggests his hands are solid, then he is worth consideration at 17.
Harvin is not a mid-1st round talent — let some other team make that mistake.Harvin is not a mid-1st round talent — let some other team make that mistake.
My preference would be Crabtree via trade up to 5 or 6 spot, or take TE Pettigrew at 17.
I have a little different read on our receivers than Bassett.
Cotchery will step right in for Coles. Coles was used mostly as a posession receiver. Cotchery has the toughness, hands, and overall ability to make the sure catch, when needed, and to get some yards after the catch. No worries here.
Stuckey has all the ability to be a quality slot reciever. Unfortunately, many of our receivers have been misused by Schottenheimer. Schott did a horrible job with Dustin Keller, not throwing him the ball for more than half the season and, after he was our most dangerous threat during our mid season run, he forgot about him down the stretch. Stuckey experienced similar treatment. After catching a TD in our first three games — he was forgotten about for the rest of the year.
Marcus Henry could be that “big” receiver that we are looking for yet he never saw any action. That is not the way to break in a young receiver. Mangini should have sat Brad Smith for a game or two and let Henry see some playing time. He looked good in practices and he held his own in his brief pre-season appearances. I disagree that he will have to perform on special teams, in order to stay on the roster. He needs to prove that he has the ability to fill the role as our “big” reciever, to stay on the roster.
As for Brad Smith, he has been groomed incorrectly. He has been relegated to trick plays. If they worked on his receiving, rather than his rushes and his end arounds, we would have a dangerous 6′2″ reciever who has speed, strength, and the ability to get yards after the catch. Once again, I blame Schottenheimer for misuse. Smith will probably get cut. I hope he gets a chance elsewhere.
sign matt jones, and go from there.