A Look Back: New York Jets 2008 Draft Class

Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller (81) catches a pass during the 2nd half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated New York 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

We are continuing our trip down memory lane this morning, and we are talking NFL draft. We recently have gone back and reviewed the 2009 draft class, and more recently, the 2010 draft class, talking about the choices that were made, and giving an overall grade.

I thought about reviewing the 2011 class, but ultimately decided against it.  It’s too early, as these guys are only heading into their third season.  After two years, guys like Mo Wilkerson are still in the prime of their development, and we don’t know how good he, or the rest of the class is going to be.

We have to give that group at least one more year before we give it a grade.  Therefore, we are going to go back to Eric Mangini’s final season, 2008, and talk a bit about that group.

The 2008 draft class is an interesting one to try and give a grade to because that year, the first two picks were, in succession, one of the worst in recent memory, and one of the better picks in recent memory.  Let’s refresh our memory here:

You see what I mean?  Looking at the first two picks in the first round, any Jets fan sees EXACTLY what I mean.

We don’t need to talk about Marcus Henry or Nate Garner.  Henry never made the roster outside of the pre-season, and frankly, I don’t remember the name Nate Garner.  Did he even make it TO training camp?  Does anyone remember?

Erik Ainge never came near the starting lineup, so we won’t spend time on him.  Other than being former NBA player Danny Ainge’s nephew, Erik had no real claim to fame.  Dwight Lowery paid three years for the Jets, and was a nice backup defensive back.  As predominantly a performer in nickel and dime packages, he posted 7 INTs and 32 passes defended.  A nice player that did his job while he was here.

Then we have Dustin Keller, a player that fans either loved, or are happy that is gone.  Let’s revisit his career to date:

By far, he has been the best receiver on the team of late when he has been healthy.  However, he has not reached that “elite” status to date that we all had hoped he would.  Would he have made that ascension had he not gotten hurt?  Maybe.  But we have to look in a vacuum when grading the class so we must leave that possibility out.

And finally, we have the 6th overall pick in the draft.  He was supposed to make an impact, but that would have required him to actually learn the plays.  You know who I am talking about.  Vernon Gholston.  A name that makes all Jets fans bring their lunch back up.  He brings the class way down, all by itself.

THE GRADE

Again, this one was a dilemma.  Do they get higher marks for the value of Keller and Lowery, or does the class fall all the way off the cliff, thanks to the mis-evaluation of Vernon Gholston?  My answer is that we split the difference, with a little more value on the Gholston selection because of the amount of faith put on him.  Therefore, the grade becomes a ………

D+

What do you guys think?