2014 NFL Draft: The Experts Weigh in on the Jets’ Performance

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA;

(Louisville) poses for photos after being selected as the number eighteen overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the New York Jets at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Now that we have bantered back and forth about the performance of the Jets in the 2014 NFL draft, let’s look at some of the expert grades and thoughts. What did the draft guys think? How did they grade the Jets? Why?

Here are the grades:ESPN: BFOX Sports: B-CBS Sports: CYahoo Sports: B-NFL Draft Scout: BBleacher Report: B

Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com: “Calvin Pryor was my top-rated safety and I have no doubt that he’s going to be Broadway hit for the Jets. He plays with the instincts and physicality to star in Rex Ryan’s aggressive scheme.”

Alessandro Miglio, Bleacher Report: “Idzik drafted a 6’5″ monster in the second round who has been likened to Rob Gronkowski, the feared tight end for division-rival New England. Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro isn’t quite the athletic specimen that Gronkowski is, but he is a big target for second-year quarterback Geno Smith or Mike Vick.”

Mel Kiper, ESPN: “Jalen Saunders offers some shiftiness and slot depth, and Shaq Evans is solid if not a burner. Dakota Dozier can become a starter, and if Dexter McDougle plays up to his potential he could be a steal at No. 80.”

Peter Schrager, FoxSpots.com: “The Jets took one of my favorite players in the draft in Calvin “CP” Pryor with the 18th pick… Rex Ryan did land one steal in Utah DE Trevor Reilly, who slipped to the seventh round. He can play right away and has a very nasty streak to him.”Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: “I like big-hitting safety Calvin Pryor to fill a major need, but I didn’t like tight end Jace Amaro in the second. Fourth-round slot receiver Jalen Saunders could be a steal.”

Eric Edholm, Yahoo Spots: “It was a class that started with promise, leveled off in the middle rounds and actually seemed to get stronger in the end. Late-round picks such as Shaq Evans, Dakota Dozier and Brandon Dixon could end up helping out.”

Chris Burke & Doug Farrar, Sports Illustrated: “Safety Calvin Pryor definitely fits the mold of a Rex Ryan defense, as does seventh-rounder Trevor Reilly.”

So what do we all think of the analysis? With none of them on the field yet so far with the Jets, it seems fair. It’s just hard to give out actual letter grades now, as we know. Let them play first.