Lessons Learned from New York Jets, Mike Tannenbaum's 2012 Draft Strategy

Few franchises better fit the phrase "at a crossroads" this offseason than the New York Jets. After back-to-back AFC Championship appearances, the Jets missed the playoffs in 2011 and limped into the offseason with a discouraged quarterback and change coming at offensive coordinator. General manager Mike Tannenbaum shook things up before the draft with a trade for Tim Tebow. What would he do for an encore during the draft itself?

Tannenbaum will still stick his neck out for flashy talents

After the Vernon Gholston farce, you would understand if Tannenbaum decided to swear off players whose stock was based more on their measureables than their tape. In maybe the biggest draft of his career, Tannenbaum instead spent each of the Jets' first two picks on players defined by potential more than production.

Quinton Coples has top five physical talent on the defensive line, but his play was uneven. The Jets snapped him up at No. 16. Stephen Hill was the most impressive physical specimen at wide receiver in the entire draft, but he caught fewer than 50 passes in his career and questions about his hands loomed over his scouting report. The Jets gave up a fifth- and seventh-round pick to move up four spots for him. 

Both are expected to play very large roles right away, so Tannenbaum has nowhere to hide. If the pair plays up to their physical gifts, he won't need to.

By design or accident, the Jets draft fits Tim Tebow

A player worth a fourth-round pick and some pocket change in the form of a late-round bump shouldn't be the centerpiece of a draft strategy, but from the outside looking in, this is a Tim Tebow draft for the Jets. 

Hill and sixth-round picks running back Terrance Ganaway and "the other" Robert T. Griffin from Baylor all played in option offenses with running quarterbacks in college. Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano called it a "coincidence."

Maybe Tebow was just on their subconscious, but Hill greatly resembles fellow Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who flourished with Tebow in Denver last year. If Tebow is a success in New York this year, look for Hill to play a big part in it.