Jets Draft Grades From Around the Web

Aug 21, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; A helmet of the New York Jets wet from the rain in a preseason game at the New Meadowlands Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Farrell/The Star-Ledger via US PRESSWIRE

So the grades are in from the “experts”, and they by in large, aren’t good for some reason. Take a look:

SI.com – DE Quinton Coples is a colossal roll of the dice at 16 overall, and the Jets decided to address their issues at offensive tackle by completely ignoring that position. WR Stephen Hill (43) will help that underwhelming unit, as might sleeper Jordan White (244). But there was more bad than good here. Grade: D-plus

Mel Kiper / ESPN – The Jets surprised me when they went with Quinton Coples over Melvin Ingram in Round 1. To be blunt, I just think Ingram is the superior player — and I have outside linebacker as New York’s top need. Coples is a more natural fit as a 4-3 defensive end, and the obvious conclusion is Rex Ryan intends to move him inside. Still, I don’t see him as a significant help in a need area — the pass rush. Stephen Hill is a major physical talent, but he’s a project in terms of route running. He can certainly keep safeties honest, however. You have to account for his deep speed, but I’m not sure he’ll be able to help a lot in 2012. I like the value of Demario Davis. He was my fifth-ranked OLB in this draft. Size is a question, but Rex may set him loose situationally.

John Czarnecki / Fox Sports – This franchise rolled the dice on all their first three picks, which has been their approach lately. It doesn’t mean the draftees aren’t talented, it’s just whether or not they are the right fit. There were questions about North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples, the first-round pick. Some scouts thought he had a bad habit of taking plays off. … They traded up for Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill because he’s a great blocker for their power running game. Now, that makes some sense because Hill only caught 49 passes in his college career. And he should be able to block because Tech used a triple-option running game. But Hill is 6-foot-4 and runs a 4.3 40-yard dash. … Demario Davis of Arkansas State is another edge rushing linebacker. … Baylor’s Terrance Ganaway, a 240-pound running back, could be a great find and should help on short-yardage. … Staying at Baylor, the Jets took right guard Brandon T. Griffin, a 335-pounder with no relation to his former quarterback teammate. Grade: C

Matt Miller / Bleacher Report – Quinton Coples is a question mark in Round 1 due to his lack of work ethic, which may not be the best fit in the Jets’ circus-like environment.

I really like the move up and to get Stephen Hill in Round 2—he’s a super-fast wide receiver who could explode with a little seasoning before he’s unleashed. Hill was a late first-rounder on a lot of boards.

Demario Davis is another pick that makes good sense for the Jets on the outside, where they badly need a pass rush.

The big issue here is that with so many holes on the roster—and there are many—the Jets moved around and didn’t get many depth players until the end of the draft.

Grade B

Pete Prisco / CBS Sports –

Best pick: Second-round receiver Stephen Hill has the tools to be an explosive player, but he is raw. Can this regime get the best out of him? If they can, he will be a steal. Boom or bust pick.

Questionable move: Taking Quinton Coples in the first round is a strange move for this team. He doesn’t seem to fit what they do. Oh, and he also took last season off at North Carolina.

Third-day gem: Running back Terrance Ganaway put up big numbers in Baylor’s offense. He is a big back at 239 pounds.

Analysis: The Jets took two players in the first two rounds who are risks. Is that really something this front office and staff can afford to do? Add in the stupid Tim Tebow trade, and the Jets haven’t had a great start to 2012. It’s a feast-or-famine draft.

Grade: C-

Chris Wesseling / Rotoworld – There are more questions than answers with GM Mike Tanenbaum’s draft haul. A gifted pass rusher filling a position of need, Coples figures to thrive under coach Rex Ryan because he will be forced to engage on every snap. Hill and Davis offer intriguing tools as potential rookie starters, but they are both raw talents. The late-round picks are all slow relative to their positions.

Grade: B-

John Talty / IB Times – The Jets went for the ultimate boom-or-bust strategy with this year’s draft. The Jets passed up a slew of talented defensive ends to take talented, yet occasionally apathetic North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples. Rex Ryan reportedly fell in love with Coples after working him out, but he has a reputation for taking plays off and not caring about a team concept. The Jets continued that trend when they took Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill in the second-round. Hill is speedy with a 4.3 40 time, but only caught 49 passes in his college career in Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense. The Jets also didn’t do much to address offensive line concerns. Grade: D

Gabriel / National Football Post – Quinton Coples, the Jets first pick, is a very talented player but he underachieved his last year at North Carolina. In my opinion he is a hit or miss type prospect. I’m not sure how he fits into the Jets scheme unless they figure he can be a fulltime 5 technique. If they hit on this player he could be dominant but he also could disappoint. I love their second pick, receiver Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech. Hill is a freak athlete who is very raw. It may take a couple of years but by his 3rd year he may well be the best receiver taken in this draft. Demario Davis is interesting because of his athleticism and upside. He has some pass rush ability as well as the ability to drop into coverage.

To the majority of these reviewers I just have one question…..WHAT?!?!?! The Jets had a terrific draft, what did you want them to do? Jerry Rice wasn’t available, sorry. Neither was DeMarcus Ware. The Jets drafted talented players, at positions they needed help at. I guess that wasn’t good enough for most people.