2015 NFL Draft: New York Jets Seven Round Mock Draft Review

Jan 21, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets new general manager Mike Maccagnan (left) and new head coach Todd Bowles (right) speak during a press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via USA TODAY Sports

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Even though the 2015 NFL Draft is not until the very end of April, it is never too early look at some potential New York Jets. This draft is huge for the future of the New York Jets, with it being the first draft for new General Manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles. Will the team decide to draft a QB at 6? Will they take a highly touted wide receiver such as Amari Cooper or Kevin White? Or could they take a pass rusher such as Shane Ray or Randy Gregory? I decided to take a look at a recent seven round Jets mock draft, published by Erik Lambert and our friends at NFL Mocks. Here are my thoughts on it.

Next: Round One

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive end Randy Gregory (4) looks on before the game against the USC Trojans in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1, Pick 6– Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska–

A lot of people won’t be happy that they didn’t take a quarterback or a top tackle. Here’s the thing. The Jets won’t likely have a shot at Winston or Mariota, so quarterback is off the board and Randy Gregory is significantly more talented that any tackle they could get at this pick. Putting him on the edge with Richardson and Wilkerson up front could vault the Jets pass rush to the best in the league.

My analysis– I am in agreement with Erik on this pick, granted Randy Gregory is still on the board. For years the Jets have been missing a pass rusher that is able to rush off the edge. Luckily for the Jets, this draft is loaded with pass rushers, and Gregory is arguably the best one of them all. There is a chance Gregory goes as high as two in the draft to the Titans, but if he does fall to the Jets, it may be hard for them to pass him up.

Next: Round Two

Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive tackle Gabe Wright of Auburn (90) and offensive guard Arie Kouandjio of Alabama (77) battle during a drill at Senior Bowl South squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2, Pick 37- G Arie Kouandjio Alabama–

Guard was an absolute nightmare for New York all of last season and needs fixing. Arie Kouandjio comes out of a proven factory at Alabama. He’s big, strong, lengthy and well-coached. When he’s able to use all of his strengths together, there isn’t a defensive lineman in the nation that can get past him.

My analysis– While guard may be a position the Jets look to address in the draft, I am not so sure I want them to address it in the second round. With this pick I hope to see the Jets add either a top cornerback, or a stud wide receiver who slipped to the second round due to this draft being loaded with talent at the WR spot. A guy I would like to see the Jets select here is WR Jaelen Strong from ASU. Strong is the type of player who can come in and make an impact for the Jets on day 1.

Next: Round Three

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans safety Leon McQuay (22) and USC Trojans cornerback Josh Shaw (6) celebrate a defensive stop against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3, Pick 70– CB Josh Shaw USC–

Corner remains a serious need for the Jets. Free agency will probably bring some help but they’ll need draft coverage too. Josh Shaw is projected in the 3rd round as of now not because of his talent but because he made the mistake of lying about why he jumped off a balcony. He never stopped being a big, physical, and athletic corner who excels in man coverage.

My analysis– I am in complete agreement with Erik on this pick. Josh Shaw is one of my favorite players in the entire draft. It is no secret that the Jets are in need of a cornerback. While the team will most likely add a cornerback in free agency, as well as get Dee Milliner and Dexter McDougle back from injury, the team definitely would be wise to add depth. Adding a tough corner like Shaw would be a wise move.

Next: Round Four

Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad running back David Johnson of Northern Iowa (7) carries the ball against the North squad in the first quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4, Pick 101– RB David Johnson Northern Iowa–

If the Senior Bowl proved anything it’s that the 2015 NFL draft is loaded at running back. The Jets have every reason to dip their toes in that pool and David Johnson out of Northern Iowa could be a big-time sleeper. He’s big, runs with power and vision but is at his best as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

My analysis– While I agree that the Jets would be wise to add a running back in the draft, at this point in the draft I am not sure if Johnson is the guy I would be targeting. A guy I would target at this point in the draft is Ameer Abdullah from Nebraska. Abdullah does a little bit out of the backfield, and would be a nice replacement for Chris Johnson, who is most likely going to be a cap causality of the Jets in the next few weeks.

Next: Round Five

Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Bryce Petty of Baylor (14) rolls out to pass against the South squad during the fourth quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The North squad defeated the South squad 34-13. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5, Pick 134– QB Bryce Petty Baylor–

Conversely, the Senior Bowl was rather unkind to the quarterbacks of 2015. Among them was Bryce Petty, who clearly showed his time at Baylor really set him back in terms of preparation for a pro-style offense in the NFL. Still, he has a lot of intriguing qualities that are worth looking into as a long-term project.

My analysis– This is one pick of Erik’s that I certainly disagree with. In my opinion, outside of Winston and Mariota, I do not feel any other QB should be drafted before the seventh round. With this pick in the 5th round, I would like to see the Jets add a safety or a defensive lineman. A guy I would like to see drafted here in DT Leon Orr from Florida, who I wrote about last week as a good fit for the Jets. Check out my piece on Orr here.

Next: Round Seven

Nov 8, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Greg Henderson (20) walks on the field in between plays during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Arizona won 38-20. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7, Pick 198– CB Greg Henderson Colorado –

Size and athleticism are not a problem for cornerback Greg Henderson. He has both, along with the fluidity to stay tight on receivers. His problem has been staying healthy consistently. He does play hurt, which proves he’s tough but his health is a concern.

My analysis– I have no problem with the Jets looking to add another young cornerback here in the seventh round. I like Henderson, but a guy I would also look at is Notre Dame cornerback Cody Riggs. While Riggs lacks ideal size, he projects as a slot corner in the pros. Riggs is a very physical player who can also play safety if needed.

Note that he Jets do not own a sixth round pick in the draft. That pick was used when the team acquired Percy Harvin, who the Jets have to decide if they want to extend his contract.

Next: Draft Profile: Sean Mannion

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