Post-Revis Trade New York Jets Full Draft Wishlist
By Josh Carter
The Jets decided to part ways with Darrelle Revis, sending him to Tampa Bay for a 1st round pick in this years draft and a conditional 3rd or 4th round pick in next year’s. This clears cap and pressure to the Jets front office and sets the stage for a heavy rebuilding phase. The Jets now have 2 top 15 picks at the price of possibly the best defensive player in football, the Jets must make the most of this opportunity. This year’s draft seems to have a few elite players but has many more great mid round prospects with high ceilings. With 2 top 15 picks, the Jets have the power to trade back and use this deep 2nd round grade draft to fill more glaring needs with starters immediately. If players like Star Lotulelei, Barkevious Mingo, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tavon Austin or Chance Warmack are still available at pick #13, the Jets will seamlessly be able to pick up at least a 2nd rounder for a not too deep trade back. The current positions on the team without surefire starters include TE, RB, OL, WR, OLB, S, not to mention quarterback. Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson proved last year that they can cover WRs without the help of Revis, so the Jets can wait and get a high ceiling developmental slot CB instead of a potential #1.
Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah participates in a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1 – Eziekiel Ansah, OLB, BYU – The Jets need an elite pass rusher to get back on the map defensively. There is no perfect pass rusher in the draft, that has both the stats and the good workouts. A team with the Jets should focus on an athletic player and can count on Rex to coach a raw talent player like Ansah up. Ansah is versatile and can play LB and has also played DT and DE. In selecting Ansah, a true defensive coach like Rex Ryan now has a pass rusher that he can line up to rush the pass from anywhere, which seems like something Rex would be into.
December 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib (12) runs with the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the fourth quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1 TRADE BACK with Pittsburgh (possible if Star Lotulelei is still available at #13) – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse – After losing Revis, the Jets are going to have to do something to get their fans excited for the future. There’s no way they don’t use one of the extra first rounders on a QB to win the job from Sanchez. It seems like Nassib is the QB the Jets like in this draft. With at least the Chiefs and Eagles also high on him, the Jets will most likely have to execute a mid-late 1st rounder for him. Trading back for a potential franchise QB is risky but feels a lot nicer than trading up for one, especially if you’re a team with as many needs as the Jets. If the Jets can pull off Ansah, Nassib and an extra 2nd rounder, it would be an A+ of a first day at the NFL Draft.
Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) catches a pass defended by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dee Milliner (28) during the first half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Elfert was ruled out of bounds on the play. Mandatory Credit: Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2 – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame – Tyler Eifert, the best tight end in the draft can step in and fill Dustin Keller’s void immediately. He was a leader and the #1 offensive weapon on a Notre Dame offense that marched into the National Championship. He lined up at both TE and WR and is the type of player that can help spark some life into a Jets offense that has been in a coma for a few years. If the Jets can trade back for an athlete like this AND pick up an extra 2nd rounder, it will be a big win for this team.
Oct 27, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Giovani Bernard (26) returns a punt for the winning touchdown with 13 second to play in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 43-35 at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2 – (from Pittsburgh) Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina – Regarded as one of the top running backs in this class, Bernard is a safe high floor choice for a running back to work into a high ceiling stable of young running backs in Goodson, Powell and McKnight. Some consider Bernard to be 1st round talent, he definitely has the potential to come in and immediately prove to be New York’s next franchise running back.
Dec 1, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears senior wide receiver Terrance Williams (2) takes the field before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Floyd Casey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Round 3 – Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor – A tall outside receiver who happened to be the most productive wide out in college football last year, Terrance Williams is the potential #1 WR the Jets have been searching for. In my opinion, he’s the Jarvis Jones of this receiver class; probably one of the best on tape and production wise, but was not a top performer in workouts. This is an easy way for a prospect to become be under valued. These are the types of players the Jets need to be looking for on the 2nd day of the draft.
Sep 24, 2011; Morgantown, WV, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4 – Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU – The Jets are in a place to take a risk and bring a new headline grabbing player into New York City. Tyrann Mathieu only needs to play in the nickel for the Jets which he should be ready to step in and do immediately, being that that position was exactly what he was famous for holding down at his time at LSU. Will he grow to be a #1 CB in the NFL? Hopefully, but either way he helps out the Jets defense out and completes the cornerback depth as the nickel after Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson’s recent promotions. Not to mention, he seems like the type of guy who can be a great fit with a coach like Rex Ryan.
Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad offensive lineman Jordan Mills of Louisiana Tech against the Senior Bowl north squad during the second half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The South squad defeated the North squad 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5 – Jordan Mills, RT/G, LA Tech – He played his entire college career as a right tackle and was dominant in the position for Louisiana Tech, which had the 5th most effective offense in the nation last year (only behind Baylor, Texas A&M, Oregon and Oklahoma State). Scouts also project that he can be a good guard in the NFL. This is a great use of a 5th rounder for the Jets; at the best they get the guard they need that can plug in and start right away, at worst they have an experienced right tackle (most will be college Left Tackles converting for their NFL rookie years) to rotate in with Austin Howard who sometimes finds himself with too much on his plate. Win-win situation for the Jets offensive line.
Feb 24, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Denard Robinson makes a catch during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6 – Denard Robinson, WR/RB/KR/Wildcat QB, Michigan – The Jets finally find their replacement to Brad Smith early in the 6th round in Denard Robinson. Robinson is a wild card and has lots of raw athletic talent that can be developed as a WR, RB, Kick Returner and most of all, wildcat QB. He’s good sleeper pick that could add an extra dimension to the Jets offense and has the popularity to help bring its character back. Denard is another headline grabbing player who will help a team sell tickets and draw fans out whether or not he makes an immediate impact on the team, so that’s always another plus.
Nov 10, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Brandon Terry (86) defends after North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Brandan Bishop (30) made the successful interception during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7 – Brandon Bishop, S, NC State – 7th Round equals sleeper round. The sleeper pick I like is NC State safety Brandon Bishop. It’d be nice to see a player like him come in and try to win one of the wide open safety spot on the Jets. He was a second team all-ACC selection this year, Brandon Bishop is buried in this year’s deep deep safety class but has shown on tape that he has the potential to be a solid contributor at safety in the NFL. Started 8 games as a true freshman for the Wolfpack and totaled 32 tackles (17 solo and 1 TFL) and broke up 4 passes making the All-Freshman Team. He became the solid starter at safety for the rest of his career. In his senior season he totaled in 103 tackles (71 solo, 3 TFLs), intercepted 3 passes and broke up 7 more. He is a sleeper who is overlooked because of a mediocre 40 time and could step into camp fired up to make an immediate impact in the NFL.