2015 NFL Draft: New York Jets Prospect Update

Another week has gone by and we take another look at the top prospects that I believe the Jets should be scouting/targeting with their first round choice in the NFL draft. As we get closer to the draft, I’ll get more in depth with the Jets entire draft, but for now, we’ll stick with this crucial first round pick the Jets have. A lot of potentially immediate impact players are first round rated prospects and the Jets can’t afford to drop the ball this April with so many potentially franchise altering prospects available.

Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver

Amari Cooper

(9) catches a touchdown pass in the third quarter past Auburn Tigers defensive back

Jonathon Mincy

(6) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper – Alabama had their much-anticipated matchup with their instate rival Auburn this past week and it was another game for the ages. A total of a billion yards were accumulated and Amari Cooper had about half of those yards in receiving. Well – it felt that way to be honest. Cooper was virtually unstoppable and consistently ran by Auburn defenders all night. This is what I meant by evaluating the list of prospects going forward as they start to go up against top competition in the biggest games on the biggest stages. All Cooper did Saturday night vs Auburn was grab 13 passes for 224 yards and three TDs. Easily a top five pick right NOW. If both QBs are gone the Jets may have no choice but to go after the best WR in the draft if they have the chance.

Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback

Jameis Winston

(5) looks to throw as he scrambles during the second quarter against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston – Another week, another Seminole win that probably should’ve been a loss. Winston’s numbers were nauseating – 12/24, two TDs and four interceptions. Statistically, it was a bad day at the office for the reigning Heisman winner. I could give you this breakdown about how three of the interceptionswere athletic plays made by Florida’s CBs and only one was careless but in the end, does it really matter? It doesn’t. 125 passing yards is a career low for Winston, but it’s hard to really focus on it when he’s team is winning. This isn’t about team.

I don’t care about the Seminoles, I care more about a prospect that may end up playing QB for the Jets. Winston threw two clutch TD passes to his TE O’Leary that ended up sealing the win, but he needs to play better going forward as the competition as I stated before gets tougher. I’ve watched Winston play for two seasons now and games like this wont change my opinion of him, I still believe he’s the better of the two QBs, but his stock will drop if he continues to turn the ball over even if the Seminoles continue to win.

Nov 29, 2014; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback

Marcus Mariota

(8) runs the ball against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Mariota – Oregon QB Marcus Mariota put on a clinic the other night vs Oregon State. 367 yards, four TDs and two rushing TDs. I don’t care how you feel about that Oregon offensive system, those are impressive numbers – period. It was total domination on Mariota’s part from start to finish. Mariota’s competition gets tougher, defenses get trickier as the season nears the end. We’ll know by season’s end if Mariota is the real deal or not. If Mariota wants to silence me and the rest of the critics, he needs to play in the Senior Bowl, in a different system outside of Oregon’s so he can shut everyone up.

Nov 22, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defender

Randy Gregory

(4) sacks Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback

Mitch Leidner

(7) in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Randy Gregory –One of the most eagerly anticipated match-ups (DE Randy Gregory vs OL Brandon Scherff) of the season never happened and I’m pouting about it. : ( ï¿½ Gregory was reportedly suffering from an “illness” according to his coach, but it was later reported on ABC that he had suffered a concussion.

Either way, it was the match-up I really wanted to see. He’s still my top pass rusher for the Jets. Nebraska’s Bowl game and the post season pre-draft workouts will be crucial for Gregory at this point.

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes running back

Jordan Canzeri

(33) follows the blocking of teammate offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Scherff – Brandon Scherff was his usual dominate self vs Nebraska. ï¿½Would’ve been nice to get a look at him against a top pass rusher in Randy Gregory. ï¿½Solid in the run game and even better in pass protection. ï¿½Still is undoubtedly worth a top 10 pick in this April’s draft.