Though Braylon Edwards will return to the team next season the Jets seem to be in need of a slot receiver. Although David Clowney has shown promise (Mr. Preseason) he has been left untouched during the season and the receiving corp doesn’t have much talent beyond Cotch and Edwards. Though Golden Tate is projected to be taken by the Jets by Kiper, I’m not a big fan of Tate myself. Although Williams does have some things to improve on he seems like he could be a potential sleeper in this draft.
The Good: Williams can get off the line quickly and can change direction in a flash which is part of what makes him such an elusive receiver. He keeps the ball away from defenders and will get away if they do not hold on. He can adjust under pressure to make the tough or poorly thrown catches and is very reliable (where was he when Mark decided to throw five INT’s against Buffalo!?). He is an excellent route runner and is an average wide receiver.
The Bad: The biggest issue with Williams is that he isn’t much into blocking (nor was Dustin Keller) however if Keller can evolve I don’t see why Williams couldn’t master the art. He does have issues getting to top speed quickly as well. He also lacks the “deep field speed” not that, that would hinder any plans as Edwards is the deep field receiver (catching is optional though).
The Bottom Line: Williams would immediately upgrade the Jets receiving corp because beyond Cotch and Edwards no one has really been able to stand out and Mr. Preseason has yet to turn heads during the season (albeit he did have a TD in Oakland while filling in for an injured Cotchery but come on its Oakland). Schottenheimer and Co. like to keep 3rd downs short and Williams would be perfect for shorter situations however if they wanted to I bet he could do a few long balls. He also seems to be a good return man and could be of use to Mike Westhoff on Special Teams. The fact that he and Mark Sanchez developed a rapport at USC could factor into this not that it would guarentee their ability to coexist in the big leagues.
If he is still around later in the draft, I could see Williams getting a call from the Jets however the Jets still need a pass rusher and cornerback and Williams might not be around by the time all is said and done.
Below are the highlights and lowlights of Damian Williams:
Dont love the player and would hate us to take a WR in the first 2 rounds here. I am a Golden Tate fan and would take him over Williams especially with Braylon in the mix.
He will have the last USC WR named Williams to get over also….That guy sucked!
Looking for us to get a quick 3rd down slot WR in the 5th round or FA
Williams is overrated, overrated, overrated. He is dangerous with the ball and has big play ability– especially with punt returns.
However, at times he looked very unnatural catching the ball and has no interest in contesting a ball if a DB gets a hand on it. This inability to fight for the ball results in turnovers.
He also has a tendency to disappear when the game is on the line. If you look at last season, his best games are all when USC was holding a heavy lead over the opponent.
I’ve seen several mock drafts that have us taking Williams with our first pick but from what you’ve written he doesn’t seem like a first round kind of player. Plus I agree we need to use our first pick on defense.
No thank you, if this is the pick in either the 1st or 2nd round. Priority #1 is a Cornerback. Priority #2 is a Cornerback. I would rather see us select two Corners and add depth at LB, DL and OL with our 5th, 6th, and 7th picks.
When it comes to a pass rushing need, sorry, I just don’t see the need for yet another OLB. If anything we need a DE and maybe Richard Seymour, depending on the CBA situation, could fill that need at only 30 years old compared to Marques Douglas whose at least 35.
I’d rather see Gilyard, the reciever from Tulane or Bowling Greens WR.
Barring a block buster trade that changes our number of picks or our place in the draft (and I don’t see either happening), I do think that Tanny and Rex try to get WR depth through a trade. Clowney is a waste of space. Brad has proven he is not a decent WR.
If our scouts are any good, they should know who is languishing behind great starters. Brad Smith, Kerry Rhodes, TJ, Leon, Gholston, even Kellen may be all that is needed to fill another team’s needs if they have a surfeit of WR.
I will be shocked if we draft a WR, especially a putz like Golden Tate (this being more evidence that Kiper is blowing it out his a–), with our #1 pick. Gilyard is unusual but investing a top draft pick on any WR is too risky for a team like ours will real needs and lack of depth and no ability to sign FA.
harlan
Adding weapons for the rookie as he enters his 2nd year in the Schotty system is a great idea. But those weapons need to be ready to play from day one. WRs take too long to develop — it is better to shop for a WR in Free Agency or Trade markets.
Cotchery’s skills give the Jets some flex on the type of WR they can acquire:
Option A – Add a #2 WR and slide Cotchery to the slot
Option B – Add a Slot WR
Cotchery is tough with great hands, and runs good patterns, but he is short and lacks speed to stretch the field. Keeping him at #2 is fine, if they can acquire a threat in the slot. But it would be better to add a true #2 on the outside, and move Cotchery to the slot.
Ocho-Cinco, despite his age, might be an interesting option as a #2 . The combination of Ocho-Cinco and TJ Housh worked well for Cincy for several years. The combination of Ocho-Cinco and Edwards could work well for Sanchez and the Jets.
Harlan – you make good points. Smith has value as a special teams player and wild cat QB… but he is a terrible WR.
And Clowney is a one-dimensional WR who may not be physical enough to compete at the NFL level. He is a #4 at best. He cannot be relied upon as part of the core of playmakers.
i can see the jets taking a receiver in the 2nd round idk why everyone thinks the are not oing to get a pass rusher or corner as a guy that was cut or via a trade
Ever watch him play? He’s a Rice-like reciever. Just don’t think we need a Wr bad enough to go high.
Golden Tate is better. the guy is a legit WR Great hands, Can get YAC and is a deep threat, can line up in our Wildcat at RB ala Percy Harvin, and brings us another Return Man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWfA5-Q0s-0
Freddy Barnes – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw0a-5xV–w
Marty Gilyard- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwkfF54rAEk&feature=related
Benn- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99YXtr4teGs&feature=related
Jeremy Willams
All these players would be good WR’s, Don’t get me wrong Tate is good but if we were looking at Wr’s I’d be happy with anyone of these. Im hoping to bolster the defense though, Im just trusting Mike and Rex they draft what we need.
Also Dez Bryant of couse but I think he’s too out of our range.
Depth hart at WR
1.edwards
2.cothchery
3.slot guy hopefully not clowney
4.b.smith
5.w.wright
Can Aurrellius Benn get some love?
when is shipley projected to go from Texas, he looked like a great slot reciever
There’s a rumor on ESPN that Denver’s sending Marshall to Cleveland for Quinn. If this is true, it’s interesting that Denver had no interest in trading Marshall to us. Thoughts?
EastSide, that would rank very high on the all-time stupid trades list.
About this post… I live in CA and watch USC games. Williams is a pretty good receiver. His hands are decent and could use work but he runs great routes and was USC’s best after-the-catch receiver. Don’t compare him to Mike Williams or Dwayne Jarrett. Williams is a little more fast than those guys but is very, very quick. Think of Steve Smith with the Giants (who also happened to go to USC).
Williams won’t be a 1st rounder. I can guarantee that. If he’s available in the mid rounds I’d consider him. Of course, that depends on what else is available.
I like Shipley from Texas or Tate. Both are big play, clutch receivers.
I hate ND, but Tate is a player, fast very strong hands…..
i know he stunk in the bowl practices but i like his effort. Marty Gilyard would be a better pick in the mid rounds.
Bright Future.
This is an uncapped year. The only reason this off season a team cuts a guy for savings it is because he is worthless (i.e., has no trade value at all) or the owner is Ralph Wilson. WR are a premium in this pass oriented league. For the same reason, so are pass rushers and cover CB.
Thanks to the failure of the Owners to reach agreement amongst themselves and the promise of no CBA, an uncapped year supplemented by collusion among the owners, followed by a lockout to break the union, there is almost no chance of any WR, CB or pass rusher who would be an upgrade over what we got being cut. At the worst, a team would trade problems.
That is why I posited we will try to trade to fill our holes. Salary cap cuts are a thing of the past (at least until the next CBA if there even is one).
harlan
WE DO NOT NEED A RECEIVER (at least not a day one pick)
i say we find a vet to sign or trade for…how about chris chambers?
Can someone explain the Clowney situation to me?. The few times he has had balls thrown to him, he has played well. But the team deactivates him & gives him so few shots?. Does he just stink in practice or he is too fragile or he can’t block? I can’t really figure it out. IF he can catch a deep ball, isn’t he worth using as a decoy?
I would love to draft Damian, he had alot of chemistry with Sanchez in college, the only thing is tho we need a pass rusher more than another WR. I say if Wooton from northwestern is there, take him. If not him then th cb Wilson from Boise. Then maybe Gilyard i the second or third.
If we can’t get a pass rusher in free agency (Peppers), Damian is my guy. Even if we can, I may be inclined to take Damian. He reminds me a lot of Jimmy Smith, and this is coming from a UCLA fan – I despise everything USC but this kid has game
Some players perform when the lights go on. Some screw up. Clowney is a half trick poney. Ever notice how he crowds the sideline on his deep routes. He makes it impossible for his Qb to throw to either shoulder depending on the coverage. He just does not do the little things we need from our WR. I am rooting, hoping, he is not on next year’s team.
We need to find some WR who can actually help the team. Brad Smith, the Clown, Wallace don’t get it done. Woodhead is not a WR and even Leon is not the answer.
Maybe a guy off our practice squad, or another team’s develops into the guy we need. This is not a position of strength.
Harlan
I believe the Jets should go after a defensive player in the 1st round. But if they decide to go for a receiver, I believe they should go for Jordan Shipley. In Texas he was a great receiver and can flourish as a slot receiver for the Jets.
we wont take a WR in the first round. there’s no way. unless all the defensive players that Rex has on his board are gone then we take a WR. personally i want Arrelious Benn from Illinois, and i think we can get him in the later rounds.
It all depends on who the Jets can sign in Free Agency.
If we can sign a cornerback, OLB, and DE, then we can draft a WR in the first round but if we don’t then we should draft a guy from one of these positions.
yea i see your point Harlen but i just cant see the jets not at least trying to get a wr, or pass rusher, or cornerback via other means besides the draft
I’d much rather go CB and DE in the beginning of the draft and then Jordan Shipley in the middle.
He has great 3rd receiver written all over him.
I know some people are talking about a wide receiver and I agree. What do people think about Arrelious Benn from Illinois. He had an ankle injury his last year, but the year they went to the Rose Bowl he was on the Big Ten first team. Also, if there is no longer a cap for the 2010 season, who thinks that the jets would go after Julius Peppers. I know everybody would want him, but who thinks they actually will?
I’m losing my religion on Vernon Gholston. Hopefully, we pick up a real Pass Rusher like:
- Corey Wootton, DE, Nortwestern
- Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
- Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn St.
Or, maybe a widebody like Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama in the First Round.
If either Damian Williams or Ciron Black, OT, LSU drop to Jets at #61. I’ll be surprised. Grab ‘em!
Otherwise, look for a cornerback in the second round:
- Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest
- Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
- Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan
- Javier Arenas, CB, Bama
Can’t wait for draft day. Keep the mocks coming!!!
PS: Igs wants a saftey, eh? I’d trade up for Earl Thomas, S, Texas and would take Taylor Mays at #29 (if he gets past the ‘Boys).
Do we not get a 5th rd pick From the Sheppard deal and they take our 4th?
I would prefer a taller WR and quick
Arrelious Benn
i hate when we talk about guys we cant even reach benn iz a 2nd round diamond in da rough.. he’s a cotch x2.. ex hands and speed and tall
and honestly edwards has natural talents but i prefer cotch over him because he catches everything.. and edwards been here not even a whole season and talkin about how they dnt get him da ball.. Cotch dnt get a td in about 3 games he never came out his mouth about it
HHH,
I hear ya! It hurts to look at ‘unreachable’ draft picks; yet, I know you agree winning rocks!!!
Still, we’ve got Tanny at the Throttle, so buckle up, ’cause we’re in for a ride. Never know when he’s gonna grab a ‘can’t miss prospect like Revis, Keller.
Sometimes #29 Overall can be better than #6 Overall, eh?
Go Jets!!!
Find another Wes Welker.
Remember how we brought in Miles Austin last off season but didnt offer him a contract?? in hindsight that could of solved our problems lol…but no one expected the kind of year he had