2015 NFL Draft: Potential New York Jets Weekly First Round Prospects Update

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet and NFL shield logo before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The end of the college football season is approaching and that can only mean one thing – draft talk..lots of it. For the past few weeks we’ve outlined a few notable potential first round prospects that I feel the Jets should have on their radar. As I’ve updated these respective players’ progress or lack thereof, it’s becoming increasingly evident that the Jets will in fact have a top five draft pick in this April’s draft. With such a potentially important pick in their possession, the Jets will need to make it count as this team can no longer afford to miss again in the first round. The prospects that I’ve laid out over the past few weeks are the prospects that the Jets should be targeting in the first, prospects I feel that can likely come in and make an immediate impact on this team. Let’s take a look at the prospects and how they fared last week.

Dec 6, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback

Jameis Winston

(5) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bank of America Stadium. FSU defeated Georgia Tech 37-35. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston –

The reigning Heisman trophy winner redeemed himself after a four-interception performance last week. Against Georgia Tech, he completed 21 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. From an evaluation standpoint I offer this – The first two TD passes were to wide open targets, but considering Jets fans are used to QB play in which QB’s easily and consistently miss wide open targets, I’d say that’s not something that should be dismissed or brushed aside from Winston. The third TD however was one that should impress NFL scouts. It was one that required touch, accuracy, timing and the ability to adequately lead the WR. Winston did just that when he hit WR Rashad Greene in the left corner of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown to give Florida State its first lead at 28-21 with 30 seconds left in the first half. The night was the turnover free, Winston-like performance I needed to see from him after the four inerception performance vs Florida. Next up – his head to head matchup with Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks.

Next Game (vs Oregon News Year’s Day)

Dec 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) smiles after the Pac-12 Championship game against the Arizona Wildcats at Levi

Marcus Mariota –

The Oregon Duck signal caller made a strong final case for the Heisman Trophy in his Pac-10 Title game match up vs Arizona. He finished the game by completing 25 of 38 passes for 313 yards and two TD’s and ran for three more scores. It was just another day at the office for Mariota. I still have Mariota ranked #2 behind Winston in my QB rankings but at this point its 1 and 1A. Oregon ultimately obliterated the #7 ranked team 51-13 assuring themselves a spot in the first college football playoff bracket and a head to head matchup with Florida State and my #1 rated QB Jameis Winston.

From an evaluation standpoint, the only thing that stood out in this game that would likely impress the scouts (aside from everything they’ve already seen from him thus far) is his arm strength and accuracy on the run. Mariota surprised with his arm strength and I say “surprised” only because his build isn’t noticeably big. His arm doesn’t have that type of build that would help in getting you to understand why and how he can drive the ball down the field the way he does. I look forward to Mariota going up against the FSU secondary. I would love to see Mariota operate more from under center and less out of shotgun.

Next Game (vs Florida State on New Years Day)

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver

Amari Cooper

(9) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Missouri Tigers of the 2014 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Amari Cooper –

Cooper had a quiet night, which is probably not good for Ohio State, Bama’s next opponent, considering Alabama handled Missouri 42-13 in the SEC Title game without the big time contribution from their best offensive player. Cooper ended the game with 12 catches for 83 yards. Cooper is who he is at this point – a top 10 talent going into this April’s draft. He is a WR that excels at route running and Y.A.C. abilities, with elite speed and acceleration. He tracks the ball through the air as good as if not better than any WR I’ve seen in quite some time. There is not much left for Cooper to prove at this point. It’s still fun however, watching him dominate opposing secondaries at this point in his career. His next game will be the Sugar Bowl playoff game vs Ohio State and hopefully we get to see more playmaking from him as his career at Bama is coming to an end.

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Next Game (vs Ohio State)

La’El Collins –

Collins is probably one of the safest picks in this draft for this Jets team. He and Cooper are the two picks in which I think no matter who is on the board at the time, the team not can go wrong if drafting these players. Collins projects as either a right tackle or guard in the pros, given his massive frame, very good straight line speed, and the lower-body strength and strong hands to drive defenders off the line. He also shows good toughness and awareness. The Jets o-line has been inconsistent and at times just bad and no matter what or who they have under center or behind the line, there will be no success if the line is steadily declining, which it appears to be. Collins is a safe yet un-sexy pick the Jets can make that will stop the immediate decline of the o-line right in its tracks.

Next Game (vs Notre Dame)

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

A few other first round considerations for this Jets team –

– Nebraska DE Randy Gregory ï¿½

– Iowa OL Brandon Scherff

– WV WR Kevin White

– Lousiville WR Devante Parker

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