How Did the New York Jets Do in the 2014 NFL Draft?
The New York Jets made a splash in free agency picking up Denver Broncos wide receiver, Eric Decker and rescued Michael Vick from riding the pine in Philadelphia the rest of his career. Before going any further, let me disclose, The New York Jets are my team. It's not easy being a Jet fan and lover of all that is Gang Green. The N.Y. Jets have 12 draft picks and should be making some noise in this year's 2014 NFL Draft. Keep in mind the Jets biggest needs in the draft are WR, CB and OG. Head Coach Rex Ryan is most likely coaching again for his job and John Idzik's attitude about making the playoffs will be apparent if he is aggressive or not.
2014 NFL DRAFT PICK RECAP AND ANALYSIS
Calvin Pryor DB, Louisville Round 1 Pick # 18
Expecting the Jets to draft a top prospect wide receiver is almost a certainty. Nope, not if you are a Jet fan it isn't. I like Calvin Pryor and think he is a stud Safety, but the Jets needed a wide receiver here. With the Giants sneakily "stealing" Odell Beckham Jr. off the board, the Jets needed to grab Brandin Cooks immediately. They need a speedy deep ball threat and they take a Safety. I had the Jets taking Beckham Jr. in my 2014 Mock NFL Draft. Safeties don't change a win loss record. Great player, bad draft for the Jets when they desperately need a receiver to balance Eric Decker. Grade B+.
Jace Amaro TE, Texas Tech Round 2 Pick #17
Jets make a decent pick here ignoring the wide receiver position. Can't fault this pick as Jace Amaro has the skills to be a seam, red zone threat and can play in the slot. Will need some help running routes and getting separation. Will not impact immediately but could grow to be a viable producer.Grade B.
Dexter McDougle CB, Maryland Round 3 Pick #16
Typical draft pick for the Jets. An undersized CB that just won't be competitive in the NFL against 6'3" receivers. Maybe had a fast day at his pro day but that isn't the field. Bust City. Grade: D.
Jalen Saunders WR, Oklahoma Round 4 Pick #4
Projected for late 4th and 5th rounds, Idzik panics and overreaches for an undersized wide receiver who needs a clear runway to get off. Poor technique using his chest to catch the ball. Has quick moves that do make a defender miss and the speed to turn a short gain into a long one. I just think he will be the opposite of what the NFL is evolving into, a big man league at all the positions. Grade D.
Shaq Evans WR, UCLA Round 4 Pick #15
Back to Back wide receivers, now this one I like. Big Bodied with good hands. Can make the tough catch but drop the easy ones so concentration needs to be worked on. Ran a 4.5 at the NFL Combine so he will have the speed and size to make for a great target in the middle of the field. Grade A minus.
Dakota Dozier OT, Furman Round 4 Pick #37
Will play his career anchoring the offensive line at Guard or Center. Doesn't have the speed or agility to survive on the edge playing Offensive tackle. His play has continued to improve. Grade A minus.
Jeremiah George ILB, Iowa State Round 5 Pick #14
5'11" 235 lb inside linebacker. Are ya kidding? Too heavy to transition to any other position, too short to play in the secondary and regardless of desire or work ethic, just doesn't fit in the NFL. Maybe Arena football or the Canadian football league will be for him. If he does make the Jets roster it will be on special teams. Grade D.
Brandon Dixon CB, Northwest Missouri State Round 6 Pick #19
Love this guy, Has all the physical traits to command the cornerback position. Fast, Big, and nice wingspan make him a great project player. With some skills at press coverage, he can become a very good cornerback but for now can instantly make a contribution on special teams. Grade A minus.
Quincy Enunwa WR, Nebraska Round 6 Pick #33
Like this guy a lot. Plays an awful like a smaller tight end with better speed. Needs some technique coaching on catching but has all the desire and projects leadership on the field. Will sacrifice his body catching a ball or making a block. Great Draft pick A+.
IK Enemkpali DE, Louisiana Tech Round 6 Pick #34
Defensive End in college but will play OLB in the 3-4 or not play at all. Just don't see him making the roster on Sunday for a long time if ever. Grade D.
Tajh Boyd QB, Clemson Round 6 Pick #37
Excellent pick. Great value getting some long term competition for QB Geno Smith. Tajh Boyd will be a bit of a project but will learn a ton from Michael Vick and sitting on the bench for awhile. Grade A
Trevor Reilly OLB, Utah Round 7 Pick #18
Why do I see this kid as becoming a starter on the Jets almost instantly. Has the perfect size and speed and plays like a crazy man on the field. Constant motor, leadership qualities and a married man with two daughters, one with bad kidney issues. Because of injury issue and a medical clearance at the Combine he fell of a lot of team's boards. Jets scored with this guy. Grade A+.
Analysis and overall draft grade
The New York Jets are a weird team. They had an ok day that could have been a monster if they decided that quality, not quantity was the key. This draft will solidify Rex Ryan's last year. Idzik wanted the quantity cause he still has a few years before Jet owner Woody Johnston lines up the guillotine. Rex should have demanded the Jets move up in the draft in every round and cherry picked the positions they needed, rather than playing it ultra conservative and letting the board come to them. Huge mistake but I didn't think anything but this would happen. Jets get a couple of starters, solve their safety issue. Still have a CB issue, still have a #1 wide receiver issue. Overall a bad day.
Draft Grade: C
Jet should have taken there 12 draft picks and traded up for 6 solid instant impact players. Instead, they got one instant and 11 project players. They get a notch above failing because they didn't attack the draft and make things happen. They settled and winners never settle.
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