2014 NFL Fansided Mock Draft Vol I- The New York Jets Select

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The first edition of Fansided 2014 NFL Mock Draft is out and let the MOCKING begin my friends.  The Jets season isn’t officially over and barring a miracle streak and somehow backing into the playoffs and “contending” the Jets should be selecting in the top 10 of this April’s NFL Draft.  Fans always want to see their team contend and fight to the very end of the season but in the case of the Jets, they have so many glaring issues on both sides of the ball that the offseason full of hard work on part of Jets GM John Idzik can’t come fast enough.  Lets quickly jump into the selection and I will give my brief analysis of the selection.

The Selection

“11. New York Jets Selection: Marqise Lee, wide receiver, USC

“Stephen Hill continues to get benched for his underwhelming performances and the Jets lack any real threats on the offensive side of the ball. If they want to continue rolling with Geno Smith, who has had struggles of his own, they will need to find him someone to get the ball. Lee may not have had the season that he was hoping for and he was plagued by injuries throughout the year, but he still has elite talent that would be welcomed to the New York offense.”

My Thoughts

Can’t see how this isn’t a no-brainer for the Jets in this case.  Sammy Watkins is off the board and Lee is the next explosive WR still on the board at “this time.”  The Jets have lacked an explosive player at the WR position for a very very very long time. Santana Moss was the last explosive threat at the position and that was years, Jets haven’t recovered YET.  Lee stat wise has had a very subpar 2013 season but it’s not because of his talent, the Trojans have underachieved as a team the entire season.  Lee did however have a monster season in 2012 grabbing 118 catches, 1,721 yards with 14 TDs.  Production like that simply cant be ignored especially considering it was in a Pro-Style offense.  In other words, he would already come onto the Jets being a better, more polished NFL ready prospect than Stephen Hill was coming out of Georgia Tech and its not even a debate.  He has been dinged up this season but nothing serious that would impact his production on the next level. -Also important to note that in this particular mock, Texas A&M WR Mike Evans is still on the board and I’ve raved about him all season thus far and I’m a fan but I don’t believe he is the explosive player the Jets need at the position even though the guy has been a monster this season for Manziel and co.  I like Evans but if forced to choose I would certainly go with the more explosive player in Lee who has produced in a Pro-style offense.

Bottom line – I approve of the pick and Jets fans should as well.

Here are some Marqise Lee highlights for those unfamiliar with him. Enjoy……