Link: Top Rookie Performers
Wes Bunting of the NFP, lists his predictions for the top rookie performers at each position for this upcoming season.
Only one Jet made the cut, and surprisingly it’s not Kyle Wilson or Vlad Ducasse.
FB John Conner, New York Jets
A tough, powerful lead blocker who’s a team-first guy. Conner should pave the way for one of the league’s best running games in 2010.
There is no doubt in my mind that Conner will be the team’s starting FB beginning in 2011. However, has Bunting forgot that the Jets have T-Rich to pave the way for the league’s best running game this season? Conner has a lot of talent, but I think T-Rich will see the field more this season. On a side note, I am also very surprised to see T.J. Ward on that list over Wilson. I would rather have Wilson on my team any day.
29 Responses to Link: Top Rookie Performers
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Well if it’s 1500 next season than it would be Conner blocking for him.
I don’t disagree Conner will be a good player, but top rookie performer? How much will he be playing outside of special teams (which Bunting doesn’t even mention)?
And Kyle Wilson? Not being put into a starting role, in Rex’s attacking defense (where opportunity will be aplenty), with the best CB in football as his mentor…and nothing? Not sure I agree with that.
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JustAGreenGuy says:
It seems to only refer to starters or people he believes will start. Which means Wilson does not apply. His faith in Conner could be based off him being the top rated full back on a run heavy team. I wouldn’t be suprised if Richardson gets cut.
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Yes, but football the sport is often very different than football articles.
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Can’t argue with that. There will be plenty of games where the Jets start in the nickel and others where Wilson plays the majority of snaps. I’m not worried about some NFP list.
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Ben Nevis says:
Brendan—
I agree: Wilson at nickel is going to see a lot of playing time. And he may do some return work as well.
I think KW is a safe bet for one of the top rookie performers of the year.
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brian311 says:
i wonder if T-Rich is on the roster all year. it seems like they are really high on Conner. If he can learn the offense, I can see him stepping into a big role this year
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Harvlis says:
It is not who is on the list prior to the season. It is who makes the list when the season is over. I know that Rex always speaks well of his players but, if he is right about Vlad Ducasse, Vlad will be on that list when the season is over. I would love for him to become a road-grader. He has the size and the strength. Now, he needs a big dose of Callahan.
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I’m very excited to see our secondary. I wanted Wilson when draft season started, but thought he was a long shot after we traded for Cromartie. This is a very talented defense. I can’t wait for the season.
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Harvlis—
I think it’s possible that Ducasse performs extremely well this season. But he’s raw, needs some coaching, so there’s a possibility he won’t get it done, or won’t start.
If VD can be coached up during training camp and the preseason—and if he performs up to his potential—then, yes, I agree: Ducasse could be one of the top performing rookies this year.
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Ben,
Since Vlad has taken all the reps with the first team instead of Slauson, I think it’s safe to say he’s going to be the starter.
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Brendan—
I’d say that’s the plan, yes. And I hope he does start. But it’s very, very, very early. If Ducasse doesn’t continue to develop, he could lose that starting role, or could simply not play up to his potential.
Let’s hope Vlad continues to develop throughout training camp and the preseason.
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One more thing, Brendan—
My point is that Wilson is a much safer bet to be one of the top performing rookies this year. He’s already has the skill set to come in and excel at nickel, in coverage, in run stoppage, and even blitzing.
But if Vlad is coached up enough, and plays up to his potential, he could be a rookie beast.
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I obviously believe Wilson will be a very impactful rookie, hence me saying he should be on this list.
I was just pointing out that Vlad is already ahead of where people expected him to be.
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SackDance99 says:
I’ll make this easy. Whichever rookie starts on this team should be on an all-rookie list because there usually aren’t many rookie starters on a final four team. If there aren’t any rookie starters, then Wilson has a good chance because he should be on the field to cover the slot. If Vlad is the starting LG, that means he’ll earn the spot in training camp over Slauson, Turner or Hunter and any potential veteran cut by another team. If it were my choice, I’d trade with the Cards for Deuce Lutui to play LG and groom Vlad to take over RT, but that’s why I’m not a GM. Plus, I’d like Deuce as a late entry in the Woody, Jenks, Rex weight contest.
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Brendan—
Yes, Vlad is looking good. Just don’t think we can say he’s there yet, in terms of his development. And no way to tell if he’ll continue to progress (though of course I’m hoping he does).
And I think we can agree that there’s just not the same kind of question mark hanging around Wilson.
One thing about John Conner: I expect T-Rich to get most of the playing time at FB early in the season, especially as we try to establish Shonn as our every down back, game after game.
But I would also expect Conner to start getting a lot more snaps later in the season, as T-Rich starts to wear down, and as JC starts to excel.
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lets see how Vlad the Impailer does in camp and preseason games before we anoint him the starter. the fact that he is taking reps with the 1′s in the first OTA is not very meaningful.
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SD – i think Vlad is our RT of the future, regardless of how much he plays LG this year. 6-5, 330…he has RT written all over him
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well i wouldn’t be surprised if Connor is used on short yardage, and goal line, kind of like a Lendale White and the Bus….he can be our Brandon Jacobs, for this year anyway while we still have t-rich starting at fb…..
IMAGINE THAT GOAL LINE PACKAGE….feel sorry for those lbs and safeties…lol…
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JesusRevis says:
It’s articles like this that make me wonder why I am not a sports writer.
If these idiots can do it…..
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brian311,
I agree. I always thought that a LG had to be a bit quicker and more athletic than an RT, who should be a big, hulking guy with enough quickness to pass block, but is a run-blocker first. Vlad seems to fit that profile better than for LG. But, I really haven’t seen him. If he’s a freak like Lutui, with surprising quickness for a huge guy, then he can easily play LG. Slauson seems to be a better candidate for LG based on body-type. It will be interesting to see how Vlad fares in camp man up on Jenks and pulling to block Bart or Harris. If he can succeed in practice, then he’s ready for the NFL because it doesn’t get tougher than the Jets front 7 (except maybe the Ravens, who would be Vlad’s first real opponent).
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Bent says: I wonder if they’re going to go with more (or perhaps exclusively) zone blocking this season. Might that be the reason for moving from a mobile guy to more of a roadgrader?
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tish says:
Jesus:
You should start writing. This idiot who has little to write about probably handed out a report card 20 minutes after the draft.; as if anyone has any clue as to how well a rookie will play in the NFL. Simply put, this is BS analysis. How many first rounders turn out to be mistakes? How many late round and UDFA make it? Just go through the pro bowl teams and see how many players made it without being a first or second round pick. Let’s see who performs well in a game situation where there is real tackling and blocking. -
rusty sanchez says:
i expect jon conner to be almost like what shonn green was last year meaning hell come on strong at the end of the year after learning in the begining and taken advantage of having fresh legs
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a must read
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Reprocity says:
I’d take Conner over the rest of draft picks in terms of best performer at their position just based on the fact he’s a FB. There’s not a lot of competition against him. He’ll beat 90% of the guys on the FB list if he just makes the team!
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Sanchez, That is now my second favorite web site! I think he’s related to Rex!!!
I can’t wait to see Conner blocking for Greene. I wouldn’t be surprised if Greene gets 1500 yards this season.