Rex Ryan Says the 2013 Draft Class is an “A+”

Dec 1, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets corner back Dee Milliner (27) is congratulated by teammates after breaking up a pass by the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, our writer Vincent Hall took a look back at the inaugural draft class of John Idzik, now that we are three quarters into the season.  If you haven’t seen it, take a look, it’s a great take on who the Jets chose versus who was available.

When he met with the media yesterday, coach Rex Ryan was asked about the 2013 draft class. We know they have had their ups and downs, like Dee Milliner, Geno Smith, Brian Winters…etc. It hasn’t been perfect, that’s for sure. However, Rex surely took a different view than we had:

I’ll tell you what, if there is another class that has had five starters in it, I mean if this isn’t an A+ class, I don’t know what you’re looking for. You probably have the Rookie of the Year in Sheldon Richardson, if not, (then) I don’t get it. Maybe it’s another sport outside of football. You have a young quarterback who has started every game. You have a fullback who was our last pick, (and) even though he’s from Wake Forest, he’s starting and has done a nice job. He’s a good, good player. You have Winters, and yeah he’s had some struggles, but guys he’s also done an outstanding job in some games. I think he’s going to be a guy that can be a starter for 10 years. He’s got that kind of look about him. That’s an outstanding pick, I don’t know where we took him, third round I guess. That’s an outstanding pick. Dee (Milliner) I understand has had some struggles, I’m not making excuses for him but he’s a rookie corner. I don’t know any other rookie corner that’s come in the league, outside of probably (Darrelle) Revis, that jumped right in. I think we’ve been a little spoiled here with the corner play. I think, to me, overall it’s a great class. We have some young offensive linemen that we haven’t played yet, (Will) Campbell, (Oday) Aboushi. I think this class is as strong of class that I’ve ever seen.

Yes, there are five starters, but does that make the class great? As Vincent wrote yesterday, some of them are starting because they have to, not because they earned it. They certainly have had their struggles. I am not saying that the class should be an “F”, but an “A+” is just a little bit generous.

No matter what happens with coach Ryan, nobody can ever say that he is negative, that’s for sure.