2011 NFL Mock Draft: Final New York Jets 7-Round Predictions
The lights will be shining bright at Radio City Music Hall in less than 24 hours.
We will finally see where the top prospects are heading to begin their professional football careers. Of course, we mostly just care about who our favorite team will draft and how that prospect will help them win the coveted Super Bowl Championship.
The New York Jets enter an important draft in the Rex Ryan era. They had two successful drafts and made it to two-consecutive AFC Championship games.
Yet after failing to make a Super Bowl appearance, head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum are scratching their heads wondering how they can improve to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
This draft will be dedicated to improving the pass rush, as we have said all offseason. With the No. 30 overall selection, the Jets can go several ways—defensive tackle, defensive end and linebacker.
As of now, there is only one selection—this is who the Jets should draft with all of their six projected selections.
Round 1, Pick No. 30 Overall
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"Height: 6’3”
Weight: 263 lbs
Career Stats: 107 tackles, 15 sacks,
40-yard Dash – 4.68
Bench Press – 30.0
Vertical Jump – 30.5
Broad Jump – 113.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.11
20-yard Shuttle – 4.28
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
I predicted the Jets would select Baylor’s Phil Taylor in my latest first-round mock draft, but every time I begin to analyze the Jets’ draft, Brooks Reed just seems like the safest pick.
Yes, nose tackle is extremely important to Rex Ryan’s defense, but Reed offers the versatility at outside linebacker and defensive end and comes equipped with elite pass-rushing ability.
He has been compared frequently to 2010 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers—how could you possibly pass that up? He is the high-character, elite pass-rushing, highly motivated and determined player who will thrive for Gang Green and become an instant fan favorite.
Round 2, Pick No. 29 (61 Overall)
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"No Draft Selection
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In my latest three-round mock draft, I suggested the Jets finagle a trade with Denver to acquire two second-round draft selections for their No. 30 overall selection.
In that scenario, the Jets were able to land their coveted nose tackle in Baylor’s Phil Taylor and still land a first-round caliber talent in Pittsburgh’s defensive end Jabaal Sheard.
I also suggested the Jets attempt to trade back to acquire more picks or trade into the first round, forfeiting mid-round selections, to acquire defensive tackle Marvin Austin out of North Carolina after selecting Brooks Reed in the first round to meet their draft needs.
All unlikely, but would be fantastic scenarios to help the Jets get over their AFC Championship hump and into the playoffs.
Round 3, Pick No.30 (94 Overall)
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"Greg Little, North Carolina WR
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220 lbs
Career Stats: 86 receptions, 969 yards, 6 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.53
Bench Press – 27.0
Vertical Jump –40.5
Broad Jump – 129.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.8
20-yard Shuttle – 4.21
60-yard Shuttle – 11.28
"
In my last seven-round mock, I predicted the Jets would land nose tackle Kenrick Ellis out of Hampton. Unfortunately, I can foresee him being selected prior to the Jets’ third-round selection.
Greg Little could very well be gone as well, but there are some character concerns and worries over his lack of playing time at North Carolina.
Still, if you watch the game tape, this kid can be a star. He is as tough and strong as they come and reminds me a bit of a mini-Terrell Owens in a way.
He will fight for yards after the catch and each and every ball thrown his way. He could become a fan favorite in New York for his fearless and competitive nature.
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Round 4, Pick No. 29 (126 Overall)
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"Height: 6’0”
Weight: 211 lbs
Career Stats: 216 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 13 interceptions, 2 TD
40-yard Dash – 4.62
Bench Press – 11.0
Vertical Jump – 33.0
Broad Jump – 108.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.9
20-yard Shuttle – 4.27
60-yard Shuttle – 11.56
"
I still have Tyler Sash heading to New York, someway, somehow.
He is one of the most underrated studs heading into the draft and is my No. 1 strong safety of the 2011 class. He will form one of the top safety duos in the league with free safety Jim Leonhard.
Sash reminds me of the next Leonhard as they are both highly intelligent players with fantastic instincts, ball-hawking and tackling skills.
Sash is one of the ideal players at safety for Rex Ryan who loves to blitz his safeties in exotic defensive packages. Both have the instincts and high-football IQ to play the ball well in the air, especially since they are aided by Darrelle Revis.
Round 5, Pick No. 30 (161 Overall)
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"Height: 6’1”
Weight: 217 lbs
Career Stats: 7,017 yards, 44 touchdowns, 20 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.51
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 37.5
Broad Jump – 126.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.78
20-yard Shuttle – 4.12
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
Although I think North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates could be on the Jets’ radar in the later rounds of the draft, Tyrod Taylor is too good of a playmaker to pass up.
We still do not know how much free agent all-purpose player Brad Smith will want. Even if the Jets draft Taylor, they should still bring back Smith, who is one of the most important players on the team.
Still, if Smith decides to bolt, Taylor is a great replacement as he can play quarterback, run from the Wild Cat format and should develop into a fine receiver and special-teamer.
Round 6, Pick No. 29 (194 Overall)
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"Mark Herzlich, Boston College, OLB
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 244 lbs
Career Stats: 314 tackles, 7 forced fumbles, 3 sack, 11 interceptions, 2 TD
40-yard Dash – 4.96
Bench Press – 29.0
Vertical Jump – 32.5
Broad Jump – 112.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.32
20-yard Shuttle – 4.46
60-yard Shuttle – 12.2
"
Due to health issues, Herzlich is expected to fall in the draft despite being a high-character, likeable, talented prospect.
Herzlich is known more for his battle with cancer than his play on the field—but he is a force on the middle. Herzlich is a steal in the sixth round.
This is the type of player Rex Ryan covets—back against the wall, ready to prove the world wrong. Ryan will have a grin on his face every time this kid makes a great play, which will be plenty whenever he is on the field.
He will become an instant fan favorite on and off the field for his hard work ethic, determination and love for the game of football and life in general.
Round 7, Pick No. 5 (208 Overall from Arizona)
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"Cedric Thornton, Southern Arkansas DL
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 309 lbs
Career Stats: 103 tackles, 3 forced fumble, 10 sacks, 2 blocked kicks
40-yard Dash – 5.26
Bench Press – 23.0
Vertical Jump –27.0
Broad Jump – 101.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.7
20-yard Shuttle – 4.71
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
According to ESPN’s rankings, Arizona defensive end Ricky Elmore would fall to the seventh round—don’t bet on it.
That would be ideal for the Jets, to have both Elmore and Brooks Reed on the same roster, but the Jets won’t be so lucky.
Cedric Thornton is a fine way to end the draft as the Jets need depth on the defensive line. Although the nose tackle position escaped them, Rex Ryan will make due via free agency.
“Thornton has a large frame and a quick first step. Possesses the range to make plays outside of the tackle box. Delivers an effective initial punch and has long arms to keep blockers at bay. Flashes a powerful bull rush and the burst to get after the quarterback,” according to NFL.com.
The key for Thornton to succeed will be to continue that bull rush in the NFL and work on getting stronger to power through offensive lineman. Should he succeed, he will become a favorite of Ryan’s.
Draft Recap
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"Round 1, Pick No. 30 Overall: Brooks Reed, Arizona DE/LB
Round 2: No Selection
Round 3, Pick No.30 (94 Overall): Greg Little, North Carolina WR
Round 4, Pick No. 29 (126 Overall): Tyler Sash, Iowa S
Round 5, Pick No. 30 (161 Overall): Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech QB
Round 6, Pick No. 29 (194 Overall): Mark Herzlich, Boston College, OLB
Round 7, Pick No. 5 (208 Overall from Arizona): Cedric Thornton, Southern Arkansas DL
"
The Jets meet nearly all of their draft needs with these selections. Although nose tackle eludes them, they will have to hope Thornton can develop into an adequate reserve.
They land three of the hardest-working, most driven defensive players in the entire draft in Reed, Sash and Herzlich. All three will become instant fan favorites on and off the field.
More importantly, they are all highly intelligent defenders who will greatly improve the overall pass rush in their rookie seasons.
On offense, the Jets land two potential impact players in Little and Taylor. Taylor will be the all-purpose player the Jets covet in case Brad Smith bolts in free agency.
Should Smith stay, he won’t have to kill himself every time he is on the field because the Jets will have a fine reserve for his role on offense and special teams. The Jets will have two players who can run from the Wild Cat package.
Little could develop into one of the best receivers in the entire class with his competitive nature, fine speed and hands and ability to run after the catch.
Overall, a fine draft for the Jets, who could use every rookie to help them get over their AFC Championship hump and finally make a Super Bowl appearance.
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