Opinion: Prioritizing the Priorities
Jane McManus gave me a good idea when she dropped her thoughts on the Jets draft needs. It’s never a good idea to draft solely based on need, but here’s a quick look at what the team might be targeting.
Prioritizing the Jets team needs, after the jump. See you online or at the Public House in a few hours!
Quarterback (Franchise QB or Bust) — I’m putting this at the top, because the Jets vibes seem to indicate that they feel they need not just a QB, but a franchise QB. There should be no adding Rhett Bomar or some such similar project in this draft. With three young QBs already on the roster and the team potentially having made some plays for Cutler and now Quinn and Campbell, the team is swinging for the fences here. So it’s an all or none proposition. Everyone was expecting Brett Ratliff to come out last week and stun in minis, and you can never take minis too seriously, but twos and threes, playing in shells and no tackles is one thing, actually doing it on the big stage is quite another. Ratlif still has a lot to prove and maybe the team was shocked back into reality.
Offensive Line (Eventual Starter x2) — I will be shocked if all the starters start 16 games again this season. Look at the Steelers, look at the Giants. Some of the best teams in the league were decimated on their lines in 2008. Hoping none of the Jets starters go down with injury (two on the wrong side of 30) is not a plan, it’s suicide. The Jets have to have a swing G/T waiting in the wings, and I don’t think that Wayne Hunter and Rob Turner can’t play, but not to the level that the team played at all last season.
Wide Receiver (Eventual Starter) — To commit to the run the Jets need to keep defenses honest and out of the box. To keep defenses honest and out of the box, the Jets need someone who can stretch the field and pull those double coverages on occasion … someone to pair with a nice play action on the outside. Cotchery is a definite starter and the Jets have some nice upside guys in Clowney and Stuckey, but it’s hard to say just what those players will be right now. The Jets have been looking long and hard at the WR position so it’s clear is something they recognize as a priority. Cotchery is now into his prime, but with WRs you always have to think 2-3 years ahead instead of in the present, like say with early drafted RBs.
Defensive Line (Eventual Starter) — This starts and ends with the fact that the Jets have 3/3 starters on the DL who are north of 30 at the beginning of the season. If Dewayne Robertson and Kimo von OLDhoeffen taught us anything, it’s that getting off the field on third down starts with not allowing 3rd down conversions, and that starts with putting teams in unfavorable down and distance, and doing that starts with stopping the run on first and second downs.
Running Back (Eventual Starter) — Thomas Jones is going to play this season. He’s still healthy and has a year left. I’d love to see the Jets draft a RB in the first two rounds, but runners are always something you can get in any given year, and plug in that very year. If Knowshon or Beanie is on the board at 17, that’s super and I wouldn’t fault the team for taking either, but the team seems to feel confident in their situation and seems to have some high expectations for Marcus Mason and Jehuu Caulcrick … those down the roster guys.
Tight End (Immediate Starter) — I already miss the balance that Baker could provide this offense. It’s hard to imagine that one of the barest positions on the team ranks here, but in my mind it does. There’s no need to use a jackhammer to swat a fly. Brandon Pettigrew would provide talent and a balance at the TE to this offense that would be unparalelled, no question. But the middle of the field is already going to be crowded with Keller, Stuckey and Cotchery who are players who can make catches in traffic. How many middle of the field players can you add to this offense? Unless David Clowney is ready … really READY to start at flanker today, this move is overkill for this offense.
Cornerback (Eventual Starter / Depth) — I confess, Lito Sheppard scares the ever loving crap out of me. Just a few years ago was one of the best CBs in the league, but he’s fallen HARD since then. He’s a gambler and if you thought Ty Law did his own thing, we might not have seen anything yet. Still the team has motivated him in the right way, with a big bonus after next season. I still like Lowery a lot, and think he can become a fair player, but Rex Ryan might not share my enthusiasm.
Safety (Depth) — I think the team is all squared away here for the next two years or so. James Ihedigbo is still a project / specials player, but Abram Elam or Eric Smith might need to be replaced in 2010.
Linebacker (Depth) — Trus is coming on strong, and the Jets have three first round OLBs. David Harris might be prone to injury, so the team would be wise to find a player that can provide specialized help (run plays, etc.) that they might be able to groom into the next few years.
Specials (Starter) — The Jets could use a Punter or Kicker, but to do anything above the last two rounds seems insane to me, though Mike Nugent wouldn’t agree.
Agree or disagree and post your own priorities in the comments …
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion
Jet fans need to look around the league this past season and see the success success teams had without All-World QBs.
The Ravens, Pats, Falcons (rookie), Titans, Dolphins and even Cards
come to mind. The Jets can win with with Kellen and Rat; if they have
a great defense and a AAA running game.
Ryan made the D better in the off-season; go with Wells or Moreno
or Harvin (you want a choir boy?…go to church).
Why would the JETS feel comfortable at RB with TJ wanting more money???? I think they have been there before with Kendall and Baker. They shut Baker up by drfafting Keller last year and they should shut TJ up by drafting Moreno at #17.
Marc,
Great minds think alike. I agree that the JETS must take a RB at #17.
I agree with The Editor. No reason to feel comfortable with a RB crying broke. Especially an RB who finally met the expectations we had of him when the trade was actually made. Underpaid in 2009, but overpaid in 2007.
I like Jehuu Caulcrick a lot, but know nothing of Marcus Mason. Personally, I love Beanie Wells and I think I’m leaning towards wanting him at 17 if he’s there.
I’m on the RB or WR at 17 as well… unless Sanchez is somehow still on the board
I keep changing my mind! Last couple of days ive been for Pettigrew, now im thinking TE-Hill or Pascoe will have to do in rds 4 or 5. I’m starting to go back to my original hopeful of Heyward-bey. Speed kills, he is very athletic, but still learning. He has a good frame, hes not a twig who can run fast, he has good muscle too him. He played in a pro-system offense where his numbers werent overblown like others in the spread offense. His main job will be running deep, stretching the field. I know we have clowney, have high hopes for him, but is he ready to be an everyday starter, can he stay healthy. I remember seeing clowney at Hofstra training camp last summer- he didnt look 6′ and he is thin as a rail. If clowney or cotchery go down and we dont pick Heyward-bey or another top receiver, we are screwed.
The smoke clears, no Quinn, no Campbell, no Sanchez, but the Jets get the guy they have been targeting all along in Freeman, next they trade next years number 2 ala Atlanta and pick up Bolton from Arizona, I have a sneaky feeling they trade T.J. and draft a RB in the 2-3rd round and grab a DL in the 2nd or 3rd round. So QB, WR, RB, DL.
Angel – I tend to agree with you. I like how Beanie could be to Leon what Brandon Jacobs is to Ahmad Bradshaw. But I’m still torn by what Moreno could become…perhaps another Curtis Martin-type back. Either way, a novist/neophite QB’s best friend is a strong running game. Just ask Matty Ice.
Is it just me? Or does Heyward Bey have Teddy Ginn written all over him…?
Also- i like a RB in the 2nd or 3rd round depending on how they come off the boards. Like Jennings and andre brown, shonne green, later round pick- arian foster.
Hit me with Moreno at 17, please! Talk about instant impacts from rookies. Everyone likes to talk about Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco but I’d rather take a look at Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, and Matt Forte.
These dudes drove their respective offenses all season as rookies. Grab Moreno, I’d even be okay with grabbing Wells but depth at RB with Leon, Moreno/Well, and TJ would look sicknasty.
Yes, the team needs to find an eventual replacement for Jones at RB. I’m just not sure we need to find that guy at #17 though. If we can’t trade back from #17, and if any of the DEs projected to go fairly early in Rd 1 are still available at 17, I go there instead.
shovelpass- heyward-bey is 6′2″ 210lbs, ginn is 5′11″ 180lbs.
Ginn had 56 rec. for 790yards in his second year, very similar to coles #’s without the TD’s. Right now, heyward-bey would be our 3-4rth option on offense, behind cotchery, keller, clowney. With the great ellard as the WR coach whom groomed holt and coached bruce, i would like to see what he can do with DHB!
If the Jets go RB at 17, I’d rather go for Moreno. But, if the Jets want a big back, Jennings is the same size as Wells, doesn’t have the same character issues, and will be around in the 2nd and maybe 3rd rounds. I never like it when scouts doubt whether a prospect likes to play football. Wells scares me.
Obviously there are many needs and well done on the summaries Jane. I worry that with all the talk of us trading up we aren’t going to have the picks to address the bulk of these needs. Originally I was hating on Sanchez, but the more I see on him the more I like him. So I wouldn’t complain if we go and get him at 3 or 4. It will be costly however, so the depth picks at OL, DL, CB and S may not be addressed. What if we only come out of this draft With Sanchez and say… Rashad Jennings, Ramses Barden. There may be a throw away pick in there somewhere, but I would almost be happy with this out come. Your comments?
No to DHB. we dont need another workout warrior.