New York Jets 2014 NFL Draft Wrap-up

Nov 28, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Jace Amaro (22) attempts to catch a pass against Texas Longhorns safety Josh Turner (5) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat Texas Tech 41-16. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Additions

TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech University
As stated above in the predictions, the Jets needed receiving power last season. With the addition of Amaro, they sure got it. Although many may be concerned with the amount of drops  and type of offense that Amaro had at Texas Tech, Amaro has the potential to be a big deal for the Jets’ this season as a pass-catching tight end. At Texas Tech, Amaro was able to catch for 1,761 yards and 11 touchdowns on 131 receptions in his final two seasons at TTU (1,352 of those yards coming during his junior season). In Amaro’s case, he gives the Jets’ a lanky 6-5, 260-pound build that can play in about any situation. Where I see Amaro most successful is down around the goal-line, where he can go up and snag those high, hard-to-catch passes in traffic or along the out of bounds line.

WR Jalen Saunders, University of Oklahoma
While Saunders’ stats have certainly declined over time, his skills till remains one of his best traits. At Oklahoma, Saunders caught 50 passes for 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. However, he would fail to reach the 1,000 yard mark in his next two season, averaging 779 yards over his final two seasons at OU. For the Jets, Saunders is more of a speedster than he is a jumping, pass catcher like Amaro. Where he could best be used is in the slot, catching screen passes or even over the middle slant routes, using his speed and great agility to gain good yardage. Over his career, Saunders was able to add 26 career touchdowns receptions (about 6 touchdowns per season). If the Jets can get him off and running, look out for his play-making abilities in the red zone.

WR Shaq Evans, University of California, Los Angeles and WR Quincy Enunwa, University of Nebraska
For Shaq Evans, he doesn’t necessarily have the statistics to back up his play, but a look at his tape shows some positive signs. Where Evans has potential is in his hands. Because he has such good hands, he is able to make impossible grabs and seemingly catch passes amidst even the densest traffic in the secondary. His senior season saw him catch 47 passes for 709 yards and 9 touchdowns. If he can develop his speed and quickness a bit, the sky is the limit for Evans. On the other hand, being a virtual unknown until his senior season, Enunwa is perhaps one of the Jets’ sleeper picks. During his senior season as a Cornhusker, he was able to catch 51 passes for 753 yards and a very modest 12 touchdowns in 2013. Enunwa was especially clutch for Nebraska on 3rd down, where he was able to catch 17 passes for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns. For the Jets, I can see Enunwa being an outside receiver, used as a perhaps a 3rd-down specialist or as a pass-catcher during 5 receiver sets.

For both of these receivers, they are going to need to distance themselves from Saunders and show the Jets their individual skill sets. For Evans, he must show that he can make every catch and perhaps show that he can make plays. In Enunwa’s case, he needs to show his size and strength during training camp and use that to his advantage. At 6-2 and 225 pounds, Enunwa can shake off defenders and jump vertically above some corners to pluck balls out of the air. It will most definitely be interesting to see how all of these receivers blend in with new additions in former Bronco Eric Decker and former Raider Jacoby Ford.

OT Dakota Dozier, Furman University
During the off-season, the Jets lost former offensive tackle Austin Howard to the Oakland Raiders. With Dozier helping out on the offensive line, the Jets and their running game can rest assured knowing they have a solid blocker up front. He may be a little bit rough around the edges, however his raw size surely makes up for it. He was named to the All-America team in the FCS, so you know he must be legitimate. Currently he is probably going to be at the right tackle position and most likely on the bench, unless someone gets injured.

QB Tajh Boyd, Clemson University
Although many may not agree, I believe that Boyd could be one of the most underrated QBs in the draft. Luckily the Jets grabbed him in the later rounds, but still. His career numbers at Clemson were nothing to scoff at. Over his last three seasons as the starting QB, Boyd averaged 3,858.3 yards, 34.3 touchdowns, 65.1 completion percentage and a 158.5 QB rating. Yet because of off-season evaluations, Boyd has been considered by many to be worse off than some other QBs. Sure he may have thrown and errant ball or two during some off-season workouts, but does that mean we should totally ignore his great career stats? Regardless, Boyd is now a New York Jet and should see at least some playing time, or-rather-proving time, during the pre-season. If he can complete all of his passes and make plays during the pre-season, he should be able to make the week one roster. Currently Geno Smith is the QB of the Jets, however after last season’s atrocious showing at QB, his job could be in jeopardy if either Michael Vick or Boyd shows that they have what it takes.