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I was looking through a lot of lists on Jets players, and kept seeing the same name, Vernon Gholston.
It is a little bit too soon to consider him as being a under-the-radar player. He is after all just one year out of college and his top 10 selection.
We should see a lot of him to start the season with the suspension to Pace.
So for this article, you will not see Vernon Gholston's name again.
5. Emanuel Cook (Safety)
First, we all know that Cook is a long shot; he won't start, unless there is some freak incident which sees Rhodes/Leonhard go down with some kind of injury. Let's hope not, though.
Emanuel Cook is a talented player, there is no doubt about that. His personality is questionable, and his off-field issues are a cause for concern, but right now, he has one of the biggest upside of all undrafted players.
There are a lot of things to love about Cook.
He is extremely physical, hits harder than most safeties in college and although he does not possess blistering speed, he can run with the best of them.
His work ethic will be questioned, and he will need to learn that he needs to wrap players up in the tackle. A big hit might put a receiver or runner on his back in college but in the NFL you need to bring the player to the turf.
He was named a second team all SEC performer in 2007, and he had all SEC honors as a true freshman.
Not long ago experts were touting him as a first day pick in 2009 and a first round pick in 2010 if he was to stay in school for his senior year.
He was named academically ineligible for South Carolina's bowl game, and had previously had a gun charge against him. Although, it is worth mentioning that these charges were later dropped.
Under Mangini and the tough study schedule, there is no way that Cook would be worth mentioning, however under Ryan and his free style, he might be one to look out for in 2009 on special teams and on defence.
4. Jamaal Westerman OLB/DE
Perhaps Jamaal has just been given his big break. With Pace out for the games against New England, Tennessee, New Orleans and Houston, Jamaal might be give extensive reps in the defence.
Earlier in rookie camp, Rex Ryan singled out Jamaal for individual praise, stating that he was a quick learner.
If you were to look at his numbers at Rutgers, you wouldn't be blown out of the water. Then again, if he had great eye-opening numbers at Rutgers, he would not of gone undrafted.
However, one thing that Jamaal does have is consistency. He locks down his player and is fundamentally sound.
He wont wow you with supreme athletic ability, or impressive combine work outs (Vernon Gholston anyone).
However, we can't hold that against him, numbers do not tell the whole story. In any sport.
Westerman also possesses something that Cooke doesn't seem to, and that's passion and commitment to improving.
How well with Westerman make the transition from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB is still up in the air, however without pads and with no hitting, he looked good.
3. T.J Conley Punter
Many people will consider this absolutely crazy. Having a punter in the top five players. However, in my personal opinion, the kicking game is highly under valued in the NFL.
Field position is increasingly important in a game where territory is everything. The ability to pin the opponent in it's own 20 is a skill that is valuable in the modern game.
T.J Conley was named to the prestigious Walter Camp All American team. A first team All Western Athletic Conference player and a member of Phil Steele's all WAC first team.
He finished 2008 with the NCAA best punting average at 47.43.
In five games in 2008, Conley averaged over 50 yards.
The Jets punting game is by no means sorted. With Reggie Hodges the man to beat, T.J Conley should be given every chance to succeed.
With Rex Ryan's attacking pressure defence, pinning the opposition in there own territory could be more important this year than any year previous.
Who wouldn't be interested to see how a guy who averaged over 50 yards a punt in five games, and reached a average of over 52 yards against Louisiana Tech does in the NFL.
2. Kareem Brown TE
Kareem Brown is a interesting selection. I have to disregard his previous achievements, because they have come on defence. Now Rex is trying him out at TE.
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