Full Mock Draft: New York Jets

Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t like Mock Draft articles because they are inevitably wrong as they don’t account for the fact that some teams draft the best player available while others on need. It also can’t account accurately for trades. However, since there hasn’t been any Jets news of note recently, I will take a stab at it anyway, predicting who the Jets draft. I will draft based on need early then best player available later on. I ran a simulator at draftek.com and I will make a selection based on the players on the board when the Jets select.

Rd 1 – Pick 18 – Eric Ebron-TE (Draftek pick Marqise Lee-WR)-With the highest rated tight end on the board, the Jets run to the podium to make their pick. Ebron is a matchup nightmare that plays in the slot more than anywhere else. His comparison is Vernon Davis, although he is slower at 4.6. Ebron should become one of the difference making, pass catching tight ends like Gronkowski, Graham or Davis and would be a great addition to the Jets offense.

Rd 2 – Pick 49 – Keith McGill – CB – Utah (Draftek pick Lamarcus Jordan – FS – FSU) – McGill brings size, versatility and the ability to play press man coverage. He was brought into Utah as a FS, where he played five games before injuring his shoulder. The shoulder didn’t respond to rehab so surgery was necessary and he missed the 2012 season. When he came back in 2013 they switched him to corner and he used his 6’3″ size, leaping ability and long arms to press and intimidate his opponents. Like Cromartie, before he came to the Jets he has the label of a less than willing tackler but that is correctable with coaching. Assuming he checks out physically, the Jets have another chess piece for Rex Ryan to move around at safety and corner. After he learns he should settle in nicely opposite Milliner to form a duo that can play the press man coverage that Ryan likes.

Rd 3 – Pick 80 – Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU (Draftek pick C.J. Fiedorowicz – TE – Iowa) – Although I am a big fan of Fiedorowicz, the fact that Ebron fell into the Jets lap in round one means they can go somewhere else in round three. Jarvis Landry is going to have an excellent pro career. He has the lowest drop rate in college football at 2%, he is an excellent route runner and he plays faster than he tests. He is the guy on a team that always gets open on 3rd downs and makes the big catch, in the mold of a Jericho Cotchery. Every team needs a player of this ilk and paired with Kerley, the Jets will have two.

Rd 4 – Pick 104 – Adrian Hubbard – LB – Alabama (Draftek pick Adrian Hubbard – LB – Alabama) – This is a prototypical upside pick. Hubbard has a great frame at 6’6″ and 252 lbs. with a massive wingspan. His 4.69 forty belies his game speed and his strength is underrated as well. The problem is he has only showed his ability in flashes and has yet to put it together. He could turn out to be a productive starter, if he applies himself, or he can bust if he never puts it together. I feel much more comfortable drafting him in the 4th than in the 2nd or 3rd. 

Rd 4 – Pick 115 – Ed Reynolds – FS – Stanford (Draftek pick Pierre Desir – CB – Lindenwood) – Reynolds is physical and hits hard with that being an understatement. He supports the run well, can cover athletic tight ends, can play deep and is really aggressive. Reynolds also has good size at 6’2″. His excellent ball skills make him a weapon in the secondary.

Rd 4 – Pick 137 – Charles Sims – RB – West Virginia (Draftek pick Charles Sims – RB – West Virginia) – Sims is a dual threat, who is just as dangerous catching a screen pass as he is running off tackle. With 4.48 speed and the ability to make opponents miss in the open field, Sims can definitely be a weapon in a diverse offense. Sims needs to bulk up a bit to be more effective running in between the tackles but that will not be his role as a Jet. He will be an outside runner and receiver if he is brought in. In the late 4th round Sims would be a quality addition.

Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets coach Rex Ryan speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Rd 5 – Pick 154 – Russell Bodine – G – North Carolina (Draftek pick Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah) – The Jets need depth on the offensive line, especially ones with the developmental potential to be a starter. He has been described as alert, competitive and looking for someone to hit on each play, according to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com. He gets off the ball well, is able to move forward and blocks to the next level. He has smaller than average arms and he will have to have great technique to overcome that.

Rd 6 – Pick 195 – Jeremy Gallon – WR – Michigan (Draftek pick Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – Eastern Illinois) – This is where I remind you that this is based on a Draftek simulation because I find it hard to believe that Gallon will be here at this point. If he is, then he is clearly the best value.  He may only be 5’7″ and 185 lbs. but he runs a 4.42 40 yard dash and led Michigan in receiving the last two years. He broke Michigan’s single season receiving record in 2013 with 1,373 yards including a game with 369 yards on 14 catches. Gallon is also a returner who can compete with Jacoby Ford.

Rd 6 – Pick 209 – Louchiez Purifoy – CB – Florida (Draftek pick Louchiez Purifoy – CB – Florida) Purifoy is already a special teams ace and the Jets sorely need help on special teams. He also has potential in man coverage and press man coverage having experience being put on an island (no, not that island). He played good competition at Florida. Low risk, high upside.

Rd 6 – Pick 210 – Ryan Groy – OG/T – Wisconsin (Draftek pick Michael Campanaro – WR – Wake Forest) – A guard that played tackle as well, Groy was a first team All Big-Ten selection by the coaches in 2013. He measures 6’5″ 317 lbs. and is one of the long lineage of Wisconsin guards. His athleticism has been questioned but according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, he answered those questions at Pro Day and teams have a higher grade on him than most think. I like his Wisconsin pedigree, his toughness and versatility.

Rd 6 – Pick 213 – James Morris – ILB/OLB – Iowa (Draftek pick John Urschel – G – Penn State) – Morris has had over 100 tackles each of the past two seasons with 18 tackles for loss to go along with four interceptions in 2013. He had a good four year career with the Hawkeyes before having a poor Combine which sent his stock plummeting. Perhaps given a chance to make it on special teams, while developing his abilities at linebacker, he could make the 53 man roster and maybe be a contributor down the road.

Rd 7 – Pick 242 – Kevin Pierre-Lewis – OLB/SS – Boston College (Draftek pick Deandre Coleman – DE – Cal) – Pierre-Lewis is a hybrid LB/S who had 107 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss and six sacks to go along with an interception for a touchdown last year for the Eagles. He has also made plays on the special teams unit. Pierre-Lewis needs to put on some weight to stay at linebacker. He ran a 4.51 at the Combine.

So that’s my best guess based on the available information I have. Just like being a major league baseball player, if you get 4 out of 12 of these right you are doing a great job. It’ll be fun to see how I do.