New York Jets Draft Scouting Guide for the 2015 Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl is a unique variable in the always evolving draft equation. While it is a great opportunity for coaches, scouts and personnel men to see some of the best prospects up close, simply showing up to the event is a factor in itself. 

Whether these players have good weeks or not, they already get brownie points for not turning down the invitation altogether. As Geno Smith found out in 2013, skipping out on the event while one's peers are working is a huge turnoff to talent evaluators. 

The competition at this level is not quite up to NFL standards, but all of the players at this event will be in an NFL facility at some point. While one week of practice can be misleading (see: Fisher, Eric), evaluators can get on another level of comfort with these players when seeing them out of their typical collegiate environment for the first time. 

Here is a draft guide for the New York Jets for this year's Senior Bowl. 

Wide Receiver

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Even if the Jets keep Percy Harvin around, they could still use a more conventional target opposite Eric Decker. Finding a tall, fast, well-rounded player to line up just about anywhere would round out their receiving corps once and for all.

Tony Lippett, Michigan State

A steady route-runner, Lippett will not "wow" scouts with incredible athleticism but projects as a prototypical "possession" receiver at the next level. He also wins contested catches, making him a quality red-zone threat. 

Devin Smith, Ohio State

Ohio State's top big-play receiver, Smith has a key element to his game the Jets are sorely lacking: speed. He would be an excellent target next to the more physical Eric Decker. The fact that he maintained consistency throughout all of the quarterback change at Ohio State only makes his production even more impressive. 

Antwan Goodley, Baylor

While his 5'10", 220-pound frame is not ideal, he still makes difficult catches in traffic, playing much bigger than his listed size would indicate. Goodley could be everything the Jets were counting on last year's fourth-round pick Jalen Saunders to be. 

Offensive Line

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The Jets are in the market for a very particular kind of offensive lineman. Their immediate need at guard and future need at tackle will draw them toward the "out-of-position" college tackle who could eventually develop into an NFL tackle with some development. 

La'el Collins, LSU

A dominant force in the run game, Collins would make a tremendous guard in the NFL with his sheer power. As he refines he technique in pass protection, he can eventually kick back out to tackle. 

T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

Like Collins, T.J. Clemmings is a naturally strong player who excels in run blocking, making him another candidate to transition to guard in the NFL, at least early on in his career. Also like Collins, Clemmings needs to show more refinement in his pass protection if he is going to at least show promise as a future tackle in the NFL. 

Arie Kouandjio, Alabama

Kouandjio will jump out to scouts with his incredible long arms (34"). However, he sometimes is caught relying on his length too much, causing his technique to go south in a hurry—something he will not get away with nearly as much in the professional ranks. 

Cornerbacks

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Even if Dee Milliner returns healthy, the Jets need to get at least one potential starter in this year's class (barring a major move in free agency). They will also need a replacement for the pending free agent, Kyle Wilson, in the slot. The Jets will be in the mix for every type of cornerback on the market.

Kevin White, TCU

His 5'10" stature is not ideal for a perimeter cornerback, but Kevin White plays much bigger than his size would suggest with an attitude coaches will love. He put himself on the map after shutting down the better-known Kevin White of West Virginia, a potential top-10 pick in this draft. 

Josh Shaw, USC

A late addition to the North roster, Josh Shaw's stock is already on the rise after a nice showing at the East-West Shrine Game. Built like a safety, Shaw is impressing with his better-than-expected skills in coverage. His personality will be just as important to watch as his on-field play after getting caught in a lie about an ankle injury last summer. 

Ladarius Gunter, Miami (Fla.)

Experienced at both cornerback and safety, Gunter could be the versatile, do-it-all defensive back Antonio Allen was supposed to be for the Jets. He should garner plenty of attention as a potential Day 2 pick. 

Quarterback

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Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota won't be in Mobile, Alabama, this year, but to be frank, the Jets have a slim chance at getting either player anyway. They can, however, find a developmental backup in the later rounds through talent that will be on display at the Senior Bowl. 

Blake Sims, Alabama

The most high-profile member of this year's roster, Blake Sims is a relative "wild card" prospect given he has just one full year as a starter with the Crimson Tide. His background as a former running back gives him an element of athleticism few in this draft class can match at the position. 

Garrett Grayson, Colorado

Grayson put up gaudy stats at Colorado State (over 9,000 yards in two seasons), but it remains to be seen whether he can produce in an NFL offense. The Senior Bowl may swing his stock big time for better or worse. 

Bryce Petty, Baylor

Bryce Petty is another college passer to fall into the category of being a mere benefactor of a prolific offensive system. He does have a nice arm and underrated athleticism, but like Grayson, his ability to make reads and throws in an NFL environment remains to be seen.

Inside Linebacker

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Unless the Jets can bring back David Harris before he hits the open market, finding a long-term replacement either through the draft of free agency becomes a top priority. Depth is an issue as well with special teams ace Nick Bellore also hitting the market. 

Denzel Perryman, Miami (Fla.)

The heart and soul of Miami's defense, Denzel Perryman is a classic do-it-all inside linebacker. While he is not the most prolific player in coverage, his eagerness to blow up blockers in the hole will land him a job for a long time in the NFL. 

Jeff Luc, Cincinnati 

Luc is a bit undersized at 6'1", 256 pounds, but he has experience playing in various spots of Cincinnati's defense, making him an intriguing prospect for Todd Bowles' multifront defense. 

Jordan Hicks, Texas

Hicks has all of the athletic measurables scouts look for in a linebacker, but his lack of instincts holds him back from being a top prospect. How he responds to coaching this week at the Senior Bowl will be key to his success.