Jetserious: Jets Full Mock Draft 2014

Right now, we’re a bit limited when talking about the New York Jets. Basically, the 2014 NFL Draft/Free Agency is the lone focus among sports writers. It’s also a good thing—not hearing much—because when you hear about a team in the offseason, it’s usually a bad sign (see Eli, Giants scam).

With that being said, there’s a lot of mock drafts across the web. Our very own Alan Schechter of The Jet Press, posted his first mock draft a few days ago. You can view his column here.

Most of the mock drafts that have been released, including Alan’s mock draft, focuses on tight end Eric Ebron, and wide receivers’ Mike Evans and Marqise Lee. It’s very difficult to envision the Jets going in a different direction, considering that WR/TE are positions of need, and one of these three should be available when the Jets draft 18th overall.

I couldn’t help but create a, “Dream Draft” scenario. Not including the extra (compensatory) draft picks the Jets receiver, the Jets will have eight draft picks to play with. Each team receives seven draft picks, one per round, barring any past trades including picks. The Jets have eight because of the conditional third round pick, exchanged from Tampa Bay for Darrelle Revis. If Revis is on the Buccaneers roster on March 2nd (likely), the Jets will receive a third round pick, rather than a fourth round pick.

Here is my 2014 “Dream Draft”, for the New York Jets.

Enjoy!

1st Round (18) Eric Ebron – Tight End – North Carolina – 6’4″, 220 lbs.

Analysis: The Jets need a tight end. Assuming they don’t go after Jimmy Graham or Dennis Pitta, the Jets will need to draft a tight end. With Kellen Winslow and Jeff Cumberland set to hit free agency, Eric Ebron would be an excellent pick at 18th overall. At 6’4″, Eric Ebron has excellent size and playmaking ability. Ebron would instantly boost a Jets passing attack, ranked 28th in 2013. If Ebron is off the board come the 18th pick, the Jets can go with (WR) Mike Evans, (WR) Marqise Lee, or (TE) Jace Amaro. That said, this is a dream draft… so we’re going with Eric Ebon at 18.

2nd Round (49) Jordan Matthews – Wide Receiver – Vanderbilt – 6’3″, 205 lbs.

Analysis: Jordan Matthews could be in high demand come draft day. His stock is on the rise, and rightfully so. Matthews is a talented receiver. He is listed at 6’3″, so he has some size as well. Matthews would be a great addition to the Jets passing attack, lacking weapons.

Jeremy Kerley and David Nelson are the only locks to make the team in 2014.

Matthews would help the Jets from day one, and could develop into a great possession receiver for quarterback Geno Smith.

*3rd Round (69) Jared Abbrederis – Wide Receiver – Wisconsin – 6’2″, 188 lbs. *or Brandin Cooks Wide Receiver – Oregon State – 5’10”, 180 lbs.

Analysis: Take your pick—Abbrederis or Cooks.

Either receiver could team up with Jordan Matthews (see above) and become a 3rd and 4th option for Geno Smith.

Abbrederis has better size than Cooks, but Cooks could be the better playmaker at the NFL level.

Cooks’ agility makes him a great option here. He could have more upside, but on the other hand, Abbrederis seems to be the safer pick.

See Brandin Cooks highlights here.

3rd Round (80) Christian Jones – Outside Linebacker – Florida State – 6’3″, 233 lbs.

Analysis: With the Jets going Wilkerson, Coples, and Richardson in recent drafts, they could use an outside pass rusher. The Jets interior defensive line among the leagues best, so adding an outside linebacker like Christian Jones would help add a presence on the outside of Rex Ryan’s multi-front defense. The addition of Jones could help create an even more dominant front seven for the Jets, and he would eventually take over for outside linebacker Calvin Pace (assuming he’s back in 2014).

4th Round (111) Chris Davis – Cornerback – Auburn – 5’10”, 220 lbs.

Analysis: Here is one of my favorite picks. Chris Davis is most known for his (missed field goal) return for a touchdown to beat Alabama. Davis is excellent with the ball in his hands after he creates a turnover. Davis wasn’t really an “interception machine” in 2013, but he made up for it in the Senior Bowl. Davis recorded an interception in the Senior Bowl, helping his draft stock for 2014. Adding a cornerback like Chris Davis would be ideal for this defense, considering the salary implications with Antonio Cromartie. Even if the Jets cut and resign Cromartie, they could still benefit from drafting Davis in the fourth round. Ellis Lankster, Darrin Walls, and Aaron Berry are set to become free agents, so the Jets need to address the cornerback position. Assuming they do not do so in free agency, Davis would be a nice pickup in the fourth round. I believe he will develop into a solid cornerback at the next level. He certainly has the talent to do so.

5th Round (142) Martavis Bryant – Wide Receiver – Clemson – 6’5″, 200 lbs.

Analysis: Here’s my favorite pick. Martavis Bryant would be an absolute steal in the fifth round, in my opinion. After watching the Orange Bowl, I’m sold on Bryant. Although all the attention was on the MVP performance of Sammy Watkins, in which he certainly deserved, Bryant had himself on heck of a night under the bright lights. At 6’5″, Bryant displayed his ability to go up and attack the ball in the red zone. He recorded 5 receptions for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Orange Bowl. I could see Bryant becoming one of Geno Smith favorite targets, especially in the red zone.

6th Round (179) Rashaad Reynolds – Cornerback – Oregon state – 5’11”, 190 lbs.

Analysis: Rashaad Reynolds looks like one of the cornerbacks that could be a late-round steal. Similar to how the Seahawks snagged Richard Sherman in the fifth round in the 2011 NFL Draft, I could see Reynolds being a great bargain for a sixth round option. I doubt Reynolds will be a cornerback of Sherman’s caliber at the next level, but I envision him adding great depth to the Jets secondary. Currently lacking depth at cornerback (see Chris Davis above), drafting another corner would be the furthest thing from a bad move for the Jets.

7th Round (211) Michael Schofield – Offensive Tackle – Michigan – 6’6″, 320 lbs.

Analysis: Last but not least, Michael Schofield. Measuring at 6’6″ 320 lbs, Schofield would add depth to the Jets offensive line. Austin Howard should be back, considering the Jets maneuverability with over $30 Million to spend in 2014. With that said, you can never have enough depth at offensive line. We saw the Denver Broncos lose a center and left tackle (including all-pro Ryan Clady) in the beginning of the 2013 season. Their depth at offensive line certainly helped quarterback Peyton Manning have a historic year, throwing 55 touchdowns. Not that Geno Smith is Peyton Manning, but you get the point. You never know when a player will go down with an injury, so there’s nothing wrong with bringing in a 6’6 offensive tackle to camp to help compete, as John Idzik continuously emphasizes as the Jets GM. Schofield definitely has the body type to be an effective tackle at the next level, so he could prove to be an outstanding pick in the seventh round.

Just look how big he is compared to the girl interviewing him. It’s pretty funny…

Take the jump with us to page 3, where we’ll check the Jets depth chart on both sides of the ball – post-dream-draft….

Here is what the Jets depth chart would look like on both sides of the ball, excluding free agency.

*Some free agent signings are Jets players set to become free agents.

Depth Chart: Offense

QB – Geno Smith, Matt Simms

RB – Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Mike Goodson

FB – Tommy Bohanon

WR –Jeremy Kerley, David Nelson, Jordan Mathews (2nd round), Jared Abbrederis/Brandin Cooks (3rd round), Martavis Bryant (5th round), Stephen Hill, Greg Salas, Saalim Hakeem

TE – Eric Ebron (1st round), *Jeff Cumberland, Zach Sudfield

LT – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Michael Schofield (7th round)

LG – Brian Winters, William Campbell

C – Nick Mangold, Caleb Schlauderaff

RG – *Willie Colon, Oday Aboushi

RT – *Austin Howard, Michael Schofield (7th round)

*Assuming Jets cut Santonio Holmes, and resign Willie Colon, Austin Howard, Jeff Cumberland.

Depth Chart: Defense

DT – Damon Harrison, Kenrick Ellis

DE – Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson

LOLB – Quinton Coples, Christian Jones (3rd round)

MLB – David Harris, Demario Davis

ROLB – *Calvin Pace, Antwan Barnes

CB – *Antonio Cromartie, Dee Milliner, Kyle Wilson, Chris Davis (4th round), Rashad Reynolds (6th round), Ras-I Dowling

FS – *Ed Reed, Antonio Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett

SS – Dawan Landry, Josh Bush,

*Assuming Jets cut/resign Antonio Cromartie, resign Ed Reed and Calvin Pace.

Special Teams

KR/PR – Josh Cribbs, Jeremy Kerley

Kicker – Nick Folk

Punter – Ryan Quigley

*Assuming Jets resign Nick Folk and Josh Cribbs.

That’s all from Jetserious and The Jet Press.

Thanks for reading!

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