2015 NFL Draft: Seven Round New York Jets Mock Draft
By Alan Schechter
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
More from Jets News
- NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
- NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency
- NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target
- NY Jets expected to be ‘much more aggressive’ in free agency this year
- NY Jets: Patriots will not use the franchise tag on Joe Thuney
The NFL draft is just a little bit over two days away. The stage is set in Chicago. The war room is making its final preparations. Mike Maccagnan and company have their big board set up at New York Jets headquarters, and they are just about ready to roll. Finally, the speculation can end, and we will see who the Jets, and the other teams, decide to select in the actual NFL draft.
But, we are not quite there yet. So, we continue the game of speculation.
At the end of last week, NFL.com published a full seven round mock draft. Today, we are going to take a look at the New York Jets choices, and evaluate, based on value and need. Presented will be the thoughts included with the selection, followed by my analysis.
Let’s get going with the first round selection.
Next: Round One
Jul 17, 2014; Hoover, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive end Bud Dupree talks to the media during the SEC football media days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Way too high for my tastes, but Dupree has the athletic traits that make sense in Todd Bowles’ defense, and he has better size than Vic Beasley.
I like the position choice, but not the player. I agree with the assessment that Dupree is too high here. It’s interesting, they chose Dupree, but stated that was too high. Why not go with someone else then? Vic Beasley is still available. Beasley might be smaller than Dupree, but he is also a more polished pass rusher than Dupree is. Here, I would go with Vic Beasley, hands down.
Next: Round Two
Jan 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback
Brett Hundley(17) runs the ball during the second half of the 2015 Alamo Bowl against the Kansas State Wildcats at Alamodome. The Bruins won 40-35. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Hundley’s skill set will make him a valuable commodity should he last into Round 2 — in fact, it’s better than 50/50 a team will move into the 20’s to select him. If the Jets aren’t satisfied with Geno Smith‘s progress, then Hundley will be a target.
Hundley is too high here. A lot of you will likely disagree, but that is just my opinion. Brett Hundley, like Mariota, is not enough of a pocket passer for me. Hundley has talent, but not second round talent. The Jets could go with A.J Cann here to get younger on the offensive line. They could take Duke Johnson, as many think they will still go with a running back. The Jets could also look to a very deep wide receiver class.
If I were making the choice for the Jets, I would wait on a quarterback for another round, maybe two. Fill other needs with the second round pick.
Next: Round Three
Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end
Clive Walford(46) runs past Florida State Seminoles defensive end
Chris Casher(21) for a touchdown during the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Clive Walford, TE, Miami
Whomever is throwing the ball for the Jets in 2015, they’ll appreciate having a tall, strong-running target like Walford running down the seam.
Walford would be a good value here. Clive Walford is a big target, and one that would only help Geno Smith, or whomever is under center. With Mike Maccagnan stating that the Jets will draft the best player available, this is a realistic possibility. Bringing Walford in would give Jace Amaro some competition, which would be good for a guy that dropped 13% of his passes last season as a rookie.
For me, this is the round I would draft a quarterback. If the Jets did, however, draft a quarterback in the previous round, Clive Walford would make a good value here.
Next: Round Four
Oct 18, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Mitch Morse (65) blocks against the Florida Gators during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mitch Morse, G, Missouri (Thoughts from the Dane Brugler Draft Guide)
STRENGTHS: Adequate height, frame and upper body strength – country strong…agile footwork and quickness off the snap, looking to engage and utilize angles with a coordinated lower body…quick eyes and active feet to mirror…confident pass-sets and comfortable operating in space – gets downfield and is effective at the second level…balanced and rarely see him on the ground on film…keeps his legs driving as a run blocker…quick-thinking blocker who maximizes his skill-set strengths…senior captain with natural leadership traits and the desired tenacious temperament…strong family man and mature beyond his years – accountability might be his greatest strength…tough and plays through injuries, missing only one game the past three seasons…started 39 games the past three seasons with starting experience at both tackle spots and center – also has snaps at guard under his belt.
WEAKNESSES: Lean lower body and doesn’t play with ideal base strength, causing him to play on his heels vs. bull rushers…shorter arms, allowing rushers to attack him before he’s able to land a punch…looks to engage quickly, but struggles to control the point of attack – weight room strength doesn’t always show on film…not a people mover in the ground game and needs to show more consistent bend with his lower body…bad habit of ducking his head at times and will struggle with moving targets…minor durability issues after breaking his left index finger (Nov. 2014), which required surgery, although he didn’t miss a game and played in a cast; missed one game as a sophomore with strained MCL in his left knee (Oct. 2012).
The Jets must absolutely address the offensive line during the draft, and this is as good of a time as any. Morse has experience at all of the offensive line positions, which will make him valuable in the NFL. This would be a good pick here.
The Jets don’t pick again until the seventh round, when they choose back to back. Here comes the first one.
Next: Round Seven-Pick One
Deandre Carter, WR, Sacramento State (Notes from his NFL.com profile)
STRENGTHS: Stocky frame with good body control. Low center of gravity allows him to shut down route and open quickly. Outstanding separation quickness laterally. Highly competitive with well-known work ethic. Finds the holes against zone coverage and is ready to as soon as leather touches glove. Explosive lower body and plays to it.
WEAKNESSES: Short with smaller catch radius for moderately accurate quarterbacks. Will be overwhelmed at point of attack if asked to block from slot. Hasn’t faced quickness he’ll see on next level.
Carter would serve as more depth in the receiving corp. From reading the profile, it would take a lot for Carter to get noticed, but the Jets do want to add a wide receiver in the draft.
I would have considered adding a receiver earlier, maybe even in draft round two.
Next: Round Seven-Pick Two
Oct 11, 2014; DeKalb, IL, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas running back
Thomas Rawls(34) rushes the ball against Northern Illinois Huskies linebacker
Rasheen Lemon(9) during the third quarter at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas Rawls, RB, Central Michigan (Notes from Dane Brugler)
STRENGTHS: Heavy, powerful body mass with compact build to absorb hits…balanced with low pad level to deliver hits of his own and run through contact while defenders slide off him – looks to initiate contact and barrel through bodies, making it a chore for defenders to bring him down…heavy shoulder and runs angry, punishing tacklers and running with urgency…presses the hole before cutting back and getting north-south, showing strong inside vision to dart through creases…agile footwork with strong plant-and-go quickness, shifting his weight well in his cuts to sidestep bodies…physically durable and can withstand a pounding – workhorse who averaged 23 rushes per game at Central Michigan in 2014, including two 40-carry performances…only 294 career offensive touches with a lot of tread left on his tires…only 11 career grabs in college, but shows enough pass-catching traits to be reliable catching the ball out of the backfield on screens.
WEAKNESSES: Has some baby fat on his frame and needs to trim bad weight…tight-hipped and quicker than fast…inconsistent forward lean and patience, stopping his momentum after a jump cut and playing on his heels…one-move runner who struggles to adjust and reset his vision in motion to weave through defenses, making too many unnecessary cuts and wasted steps…doesn’t offer much elusiveness as a runner…needs to make a conscious effort to avoid contact and protect his body to prolong his longevity – will pass up open space in order to run through defenders…messy technique in pass protection…struggled to find the field at Michigan and his only year of production came against average competition in the MAC…medicals need reviewed after he was limited for a stretch as a senior due to a left knee injury (Oct. 2014)…troublesome off-field question marks after an April 2014 incident when he was charged with multiple felonies for stealing the purse and credit cards of a 62-year old woman at a casino – pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of attempted larceny and avoided jail time (sentenced to one year probation and 104 hours of community service), missing two games due to suspension for the incident…also missed the 2014 bowl game due to academic issue…suspect preparation and practice habits and not considered a self-starter.
The Jets do not need to draft a running back with off the field concerns. The Jets should address the running back position, but do it earlier, with a guy like Duke Johnson.
View the entire mock by clicking here.
Next: Draft Profile: Devin Funchess