2011 NFL Mock Draft: 7-Round New York Jets Predictions 2.0
With the NFL draft held in New York each year, the most entertaining part of the draft often isn’t even who is selected, but instead, the reaction of the New York fans.
The Jets fans especially are the most entertaining bunch in the audience with their signs and expressions. Their reaction when the Jets draft a player they do not approve is priceless.
With the 2011 draft just over a week away, time is winding down for every team to develop a strategy and narrow their prospects to a short list.
The Jets have several routes they can go—trade up or down—or just stick to their six overall selections.
The Jets have important free agents they are hoping to re-sign but still need insurance policies if free agency does not pan out as nicely as the past two years. General manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan know this is an important draft for the franchise as they look to appear in their third consecutive AFC Championship.
There are several franchise-changing prospects in this draft that can help take the team over the hump into the Super Bowl.
These players in our seven-round mock draft could help secure a Super Bowl championship for the Jets this season.
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
Last week, I had the Jets taking Brooks Reed, but in my latest mock on April 17, I switched the pick to Phil Taylor. I’ve been back and forth with the Jets’ pick between three prospects—Illinois’ Martez Wilson, Baylor’s Taylor and Arizona’s Reed.
Although I think the nose tackle is an extremely important upgrade for Rex Ryan, Reed is the safer selection between the two, after further analysis. News broke last weekend that Phil Taylor has an inoperable foot injury. This isn’t a big concern of mine, but the Jets just went through two devastating ACL injuries to Kris Jenkins and need a sure thing at nose tackle.
Reed has a motor that rivals the very best in the class and has been compared to Green Bay Packers pass-rusher Clay Matthews—not bad company, eh?
Wilson offers more diversity at the linebacker position, but Reed is the superior pass rusher and could even be moved to defensive end.
If Reed is off the board by the time the Jets pick, which is a strong possibility as he is gaining momentum, New York would be wise to trade down to acquire more picks in the second and third rounds as they can still find top talent to achieve all of their draft goals.
Round 2, Pick No. 29 (61 Overall)
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No Draft Selection
New York does not have a second-round selection as San Diego received it in compensation for Antonio Cromartie last year.
I strongly recommend the Jets trade down from their No. 30 overall selection to acquire picks in the second and third rounds.
Denver could put up a willing trade partner as there are rumors that they could trade back into the first round to select one of the top quarterbacks like Florida State’s Christian Ponder, Washington’s Jake Locker, TCU’s Andy Dalton or Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick.
The Jets just might be able to finagle a trade to acquire Denver’s two second-round selections, No. 36 overall and No. 46 overall, which would allow them to fill their need at nose tackle with North Carolina’s Marvin Austin or Oregon State’s Stephen Paea as I suggested in last week’s seven-round mock—or possibly even Phil Taylor or Martez Wilson should one of them fall. Washington linebacker Mason Foster would also be a prime candidate in the second round.
New York could also target UCLA’s Rahim Moore, who is the clear-cut top safety in the draft. He has first-round talent but is slipping due to the parity among safeties—but make no mistake about it, Moore is No. 1 in the class.
It may be too steep of a move for Denver, who are clearly rebuilding, but if John Elway has his franchise quarterback in sight at the end of the first round, it works out for both parties.
Round 3, Pick No.30 (94 Overall)
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Height: 6’5”
Weight: 346 lbs
Career Stats: 186 tackles, 7 sacks
40-yard Dash – 5.28
Bench Press – 26.0
Vertical Jump – N/A
Broad Jump – N/A
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
The dream of the Jets acquiring Denver’s two-second selections are just that—a dream. It is a great scenario, but a scenario we cannot bank on just yet.
As it stands right now, the Jets head into the third round feeling high and mighty with a safe selection at No. 30 overall in Brooks Reed.
Still, we wavered back and forth on a nose tackle, which is a major void the Jets need to fill to achieve their goal of improving the pass rush in this draft.
The nose tackle position will change the entire dynamic of the defense, if you can believe that considering how dominant Rex Ryan’s defenses have been throughout his career.
We passed on the top nose tackle in Phil Taylor, but luckily for New York, they still land an impressive defensive tackle in Hampton’s Kenrick Ellis.
Last week, I gave the Jets the versatile defensive back Marcus Gilchrist out of Clemson, but Ellis is the prospect they cannot pass up in the third round at this point. He has the mammoth size, adequate motor and explosiveness to become a destructive force in the league—especially under Ryan’s tutelage.
By improving the pass rush with Reed and Ellis, the secondary will be much improved.
There is far more parity in this year’s secondary class while the class is top heavy among pass rushers and defensive lineman. This means landing Ellis is of extra importance and needs to be addressed with the Jets’ second available selection.
By landing Ellis and Reed in the first two rounds, New York is positioning for another Super Bowl run.
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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
Sash is one of my favorite players in this draft. He is the type of player that Rex Ryan loves—tough, gritty, intelligent, great instincts, fast and strong.
Sash reminds me of the Jets’ top safety Jim Leonhard. Together, they will create a fantastic safety duo that can cover a lot of real estate quickly. Sash will also be able to play on special teams with his drive and motor.
With his speed, Ryan will be able to deploy him on opposing quarterbacks like the heat-seeking missile he truly is. He uses his great speed and strong legs to springboard himself into ball carriers like a javelin. He is great in run support and his high football IQ and instincts make him dangerous when the ball is in the air.
The Jets land a mid-round steal in Sash as he is an underrated player who can do everything the Jets need. They now have a formidable safety duo to go along with Darrelle Revis, Kyle Wilson, and most likely, free-agent Antonio Cromartie in the secondary.
New York continues to retool its championship-caliber defense with NFL-ready prospects, who will have an immediate impact on the Jets’ Super Bowl journey in 2011.
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
Taylor could very well be drafted earlier, which is why I’ve moved him up from the sixth round in the last mock to the fifth round this time. The Jets probably don’t want to have to draft him with their fifth-round pick and fourth pick overall, but he will offer New York the versatility they are looking for on offense and perhaps even special teams.
Taylor is no Brad Smith, but he is a fantastic insurance policy if the Jets believe Smith will bolt (which would not be good) in free agency.
Taylor wants to be a quarterback in the MFL, but we all don’t get what we want, do we? He would still be able to play out of the Wild Cat formation, which worked well for Smith. He is not the receiver Brad is, but he can practice.
The Jets simply need the insurance for Smith’s versatility at quarterback, wide receiver, running back and special teams—Taylor is that cheap all-purpose option.
There are rumblings that the Jets are also looking for a backup to Mark Sanchez, Taylor allows the Jets to kill a few birds with one stone.
Round 6, Pick No. 29 (194 Overall)
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Height: 5’10”
Weight: 229 lbs
Career Stats: 206 tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 sacks, 1 TD
40-yard Dash – 4.56
Bench Press – 28.0
Vertical Jump –33.0
Broad Jump – 115.0
3 Cone Drill – 6.89
20-yard Shuttle – 4.26
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
New York once again goes defense and ends the draft with an athletic linebacker that they hope will be able to contribute more than just on special teams. Rolle has great athleticism, and in a division with solid tight ends—especially in New England—the Jets will hope Rolle can quickly improve his ability to drop back into pass coverage. This would be his greatest asset to the Jets as he could be swallowed up attacking ball carriers in run support.
Still, he has the speed to attack the quarterback off the edge.
He is a high character player and was a leader at Ohio State. He is a tough player who, according to NFL.com, does not shy away from contact.
Round 7, Pick No. 5 (208 Overall from Arizona)
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Height: 6’2”
Weight: 211 lbs
Career Stats: 42 receptions, 539 yards, 4 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.37
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 35.5
Broad Jump – 127.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.15
20-yard Shuttle – 4.19
60-yard Shuttle – 11.27
The Jets pick up Tyrod Taylor in the fifth round and finish the draft adding depth to their offense. Lockette is a fine receiving prospect who fits the tough-nosed mystique of the Jets under Rex Ryan.
He is not a great route runner, but he has solid body control, great speed, strong hands and is very good after the run. He is a gritty player who will fight for the ball and yards after the catch. The Jets need another receiver who is not afraid to go into traffic and get hit—Lockette appears to fit the bill.
He may not be able to contribute out of the gate, as he is not a solid route runner. Still, he is a determined kid and one Rex Ryan would enjoy taking a chance on in the seventh round.
Draft Recap
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Round 1. Pick No. 30 Overall: Brooks Reed, Arizona DE/LB
Round 3, Pick No.30. (94 Overall): Kenrick Ellis, Hampton DT
Round 4, Pick No. 29 (126 Overall): Tyler Sash, Iowa S
Round 5, Pick No. 30 (161 Overall): Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
Round 6, Pick No. 29 (194 Overall): Brian Rolle, Ohio State OLB
Round 7, Pick No. 5 (208 Overall from Arizona): Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley State WR
The Jets know they have a great opportunity in 2011 to win a Super Bowl championship. This is an important draft to make sure the Jets do not stumble as they could lose important pieces to free agency.
Although I cannot guarantee the Jets will shell out big money to retain Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Antonio Cromartie, I do believe we will see them back with Gang Green, or perhaps, even Nnamdi Asomugha or Randy Moss (hey, Jets fans can dream, right!?)
In order to make sure the Jets retain a winning squad despite their potential losses, they target defenders who can increase the intensity of the unit and put pressure on opposing offenses.
Rex Ryan lands four intelligent and high-character pass-rushers in this draft who can all contribute immediately as rookies.
They also take on two offensive projects who should develop into fine players but at least give the Jets an added dimension to the team.
This would be a fantastic draft for the Jets to keep them on their winning path towards a Super Bowl Championship.
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