2015 NFL Draft: New York Jets Three Round Mock Draft

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik watches practice before the game with the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets draft will be an interesting one this Spring for various reasons, one of which and most importantly is how effectively can this team wipe off stench of the “failures” of last year’s draft. Granted, there’s no way to determine if last year’s draft is a failure or not, but let’s assume that some have already deemed it a failure and let’s assume that this presumed “failure” is one of the reasons former Jets GM John Idzik is the team’s former GM.

No matter how you feel about said draft, the fact is, the Jets need a solid draft this year. They need a draft that will birth players that can ultimately produce right away. This is the nature of the today’s NFL. You’re going to have a hard time convincing me that Jets owner Woody Johnson hasn’t noticed the positive production by this group of rookie WRs this past season, including one (Odell Beckham Jr. that has produced in the same stadium as the that Jets. The same goes for the outstanding play of Dallas’s Zack Martin and other rookie offensive linemen and overall solid and encouraging play from rookie QBs like Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr. He is sitting in his office during quiet time, trying to figure out just why his team can’t seem to find immediate young talent like these other teams.

If I were the owner I would be absolutely shaking my head at the thought of this. The Jets have to start drafting players that can produce right away. They don’t necessarily have to dominate or produce consistently right away, but in today’s NFL, young talent has to at least shine, show something, or flat-out produce sparingly in their first season. I can get on the errors of the scouting department until I’m blue in the face, but it’s a pointless argument at this point and I’ll seemingly focus on the bottom line, results. The league is based on results and this team need results from this draft.

For fun ( and so I can say “I told you so” later) I’ll make the Jets first three draft picks. These are the players I feel the Jets should be scouting or looking to add to the team for one reason or another. I’ll draft based on needs of the team. For the sake of this three round “mock,” I’ll assume that my top three rated players (Winston, Cooper and Mariota) are all gone. Each of the three rounds, I’ll give my top choice then my secondary choice if the top choice isn’t available. Enjoy —

Next: Round 1

Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; IIowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) before the start of their game against theTennessee Volunteers in the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1.) A- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Brandon is without question my second favorite player in the draft. I’ve discussed him as a prospect that I hoped the Jets are looking at for quite some time now. I’ve nicknamed him “The Mountain” as I believe the name is fitting. Scherff is very strong up top and works his knees to perfection. His hand placement looks NFL level already and when you put all of this together, he makes for a wonderful asset in the running game.

He’s an excellent run drive blocker and has the strength to drive his man essentially anywhere he wants to go. His attitude and tenacity are already where you’d want them. He drives his man where he wants them and doesn’t let up until the play is completely over or until said man cries for mercy. When he gets his hands on his man, it’s essentially over for the most part. His pass blocking skills are excellent as he keeps his feet and hands moving at all times —

The Jets offensive line sputtered down the stretch as Geno/Vick found themselves running for their lives and rushing throws more times than not. Scherff projects as a tackle in the NFL but I think he can play both tackle and guard. With Brick Ferguson still holding down the left tackle spot, I would draft Scherff and put him in play at the guard position and swing him out to tackle when the time is right or when Brick’s time with the Jets comes to an end. He’s not a sexy pick, but he’s the pick that is not only safe but one that the Jets need to began transforming this offense into a competitive one.

Next: Second Choice Round One

Aug 30, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) waits between plays during the game agains the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

B- Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame Ronnie Stanley is another linemen in this draft that I found myself impressed with lately. He has long arms and protects the edge very well. He has excellent feet movement and is strong enough to control opponents. He appears ready to not only play on Sundays, but immediately contribute to both the passing and running game. While looking at his film, I noticed that his strong suit is pass protection, something the Jets line struggled in this past season. If it’s one thing Geno Smith has shown me, is that when he has time in the pocket to deliver passes, he delivers them accurately for the most part. This is an area the Jets must improve in no matter who the QB is.

When you look at Stanley. The first thing that stands out about him is his long arms. He utilizes them well to keep opponents at bay and to protect the edge, even when matched up against speed pass rushers. He consistently moves them utilizing his strength and techniques to cause serious problems for defenders that are rushing him straight up. You rush Stanley straight up and it’s over pretty much every time.

Stanley shows strength and tenacity in the running game. He drives defenders off the ball in short-yardage situations, and uses his speed and excellent effort getting to and effectively blocking at the next level. He’s more technically sound than you’d expect a player his age to be. With the issues the Jets had on the offensive line this past season, it’s clear that Stanley would not only upgrade the line, but he would do so immediately in my opinion. I think he should very much be in play for the Jets in the first round.

Next: Round 2

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates (18) runs the ball against Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Sojourn Shelton (8) during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2.)

A- Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

I’ve had the pleasure of watching Auburn’s WR Sammie Coates for two years now and he’s done nothing but gotten better and better seemingly with every snap. He carries an almost freakish blend of size, speed and strength. He’s strong enough to fight his way through press coverage and accelerates rather smoothly. Coates seem to track the ball well over his shoulder and can pull away from defenders to capitalize when he has the ball.

Coates combines his speed with a muscle-packed frame that makes him every bit as likely to shove defenders to the ground as run away from them. Gus Malzahn’s scheme calls for his receivers to block often and he is a physical and alert in doing this. I’ve seen instances in which Coates muscles passes away from defenders and run away from them. He’s very physical. He needs to expand his route tree somewhat, but since I’ve witnessed him gradually getting better and developing over the years, nothing he’s done says that he’s not capable of being coached up to be something special in the NFL.

Next: Second Choice Round 2

Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) runs with the ball during the second half of the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

B – Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State

The Florida State WR has led the team in receptions for three seasons now. He’s explosive and knows his way around a secondary. He gets open quickly and is fundamentally sound in locating the ball when it’s thrown on time, something his QB, Jameis Winston was very good at and NFL players (for the most part) should be good at as well.

Greene is only 178 pounds, he may weigh in more at the combine or during workouts, andthat could be a concern for some teams, but it shouldn’t be a concern if you’ve watched him play. Getting open is something this kid is good at and that is the only thing that matters on the next level. He catches with his hands for the most part, but there are times when you see him catching with his body, something he’ll have to work on. I think he’ll make an excellent addition to the Jets WR corp.

Next: Round 3

Nov 29, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (4) attempts to make a catch as Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Lafayette Pitts (6) defends during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3.)

A – Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami

Another one of my favorite players in this year’s draft. Miami’s WR Phillip Dorsett has caught my eye the entire season. It’s not just his speed or flash, but it’s his consistency in which he plays every week. At 5’9 195 Dorsett doesn’t have ideal size that you would want, but he plays bigger than his size. His ability to garner separation from the line of scrimmage is really impressive.

Week in and week out, Dorsett finds himself consistently getting open and garnering separation from his defenders. Miami made him an integral part of their passing and running game as he’s very effective in running sweeps and end arounds. Getting behind secondaries is his speciality and the Jets desperately need someone in the WR corp that can do that consistently so that it can open things up for players like Jace Amaro and Erik Decker.

Next: Second Choice Round 3

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Ryan Buchanan (9) looks to pass under pressure from Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Trey Flowers (86) during first half action at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

B- Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas At 6’4 268 Trey Flowers is prototypical size for a pro defensive end. He’s a tackling machine and once he gets his hands on whomever he’s after, it’s pretty much over at that point. I would love to see him used as a OLB in a 3-4 scheme. Playing behind this Jets defensive line, I could see some of that ability to play on either side of the line like he did at Arkansas becoming an asset for this team. He has a long stride when he stands and rush off the edges and has experience in playing with his hands in the dirt and on his feet.

He has the strength and motor to find his way into the backfield on a consistent basis behind a defensive line as talented as the Jets.