2011 NFL Draft Grades: New York Jets 2011 Draft Report Card
Head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum head into this draft knowing it an extremely important draft. After shocking the world to make it two-consecutive AFC Championship games in Ryan and 2009 first-round selection Mark Sanchez’ first two seasons together, the Jets are desperately searching for ways to improve the entire team to make it past the AFC Championship hump and into the playoffs.
The Jets went into the draft with only six selections in the seven-round draft and picking at the tail-end of the every round except for the seventh due to their remarkable success. At No. 30 overall, the Jets had several options staring them dead in the face in draft scenarios, but we knew this draft would be dedicated to improving their pass rush and finding missing links to get them to the Super Bowl.
Did the Jets achieve their draft goals, or like some teams this year, drive themselves further away from a Super Bowl Championship?
Here is your pick-by-pick analysis and final report card for the New York Jets' 2011 NFL Draft!
Round 1, Pick No. 30 (30 Overall)
1 of 7"Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple DE/DT
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 315 lbs
Career Stats: 138 tackles, 17 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
40-yard Dash – 4.96
Bench Press – 27.0
Vertical Jump – 26.0
Broad Jump – 106.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.31
20-yard Shuttle – 4.59
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
Sitting at the No. 30 overall selection, the Jets could have gone several ways. All month I debated their picks to help them improve their pass rush. I went back and forth between Brooks Reed and Phil Taylor, while also debating internally with Cameron Heyward or an outside linebacker.
At no point in my analysis did I ever think—not even for a split second—that Muhammad Wilkerson would actually fall all the way to No. 30.
Wilkerson is a supreme talent in this draft, with the potential to be a top-10 talent when it’s all said and done from this talented class.
He can play defensive end or defensive tackle for the Jets, though he will primarily play defensive end. He comes from a 3-4 system, so he will make an excellent, quick transition to the NFL.
He will become one of the team leaders sooner than later with his elite abilities on the field. He is quick, strong and extremely athletic for a man of his size. He will be an extremely important piece to helping the team make it to the Super Bowl under Ryan.
Grade: A+
Round 3, Pick No.30 (94 Overall)
2 of 7"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
"
Nevermind his felony assault, Mike Tannenbaum did the background check and grabbed a steal for this team in the third round. I suggested the Jets grab Ellis in my second 7-round Jets mock draft, but that’s not why he’s a great selection—it’s because he’s an ideal selection.
He is the perfect fit for the Jets’ offense, which desperately needs a dominant, destructive nose tackle to create pressure for the entire defense. The Jets had the right idea with Kris Jenkins, but he could not stay healthy.
New York grabs the next Jenkins, a highly motivated, aggress, athletic and dominant nose tackle. He will single-handedly make the rest of the defense better. He was one of the top nose tackles in the draft, and his supreme athleticism for his size and weight could even push him past Phil Taylor, my No. 1 nose tackle who went to Cleveland to play in a 4-3 defense.
The Jets have finally found their anchor in the form of this menacing, agile, powerful big man. He will become a favorite of Rex Ryan’s very quickly.
Grade: A+
Round 4, Pick No. 29 (126 Overall)
3 of 7"Height: 5’11”
Weight: 220 lbs
Career Stats: 436 attempts, 2,338 yards, 19 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – N/A
Bench Press – 18.0
Vertical Jump – N/A
Broad Jump – N/A
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
No disrespect to Bilal Powell, who is a fine prospect, but the Jets did not need to draft a receiver—especially Bilal Powell—especially in the fourth round!
Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Joe McKnight are a perfectly serviceable running back unit. There will be capable free agents or late-rounders they could have selected from. The potentially elite number of defensive prospects that passed New York by in the fourth round will cost them.
After two amazing selections to greatly improve the entire team, Tannenbaum severely stumbles.
Better receiving backs with big play potential include Jacquizz Rodgers, who went one round later to the Falcons. One of the best power backs in the draft, Da’Rel Scott, went in the seventh round to the Jets’ cross-town rivals, the Giants.
Powell possesses good vision and explosive potential with his one-cut ability. Running behind this monstrous offensive line, he will find room.
Still, New York could not afford to grab a running back in the fourth round with a host of fantastic defensive prospects still on the board to improve the team.
Grade: F
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Round 5, Pick No. 22 (153 Overall from Philadelphia)
4 of 7"Height: 5’10”
Weight: 189 lbs
Career Stats: 120 receptions 2,399 yards, 12 touchdowns,
40-yard Dash – 4.62
Bench Press – 16.0
Vertical Jump – 34.5
Broad Jump – 120.0
3 Cone Drill – N/A
20-yard Shuttle – N/A
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
With Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith all free agents, we knew the Jets would take a long, hard look at the receivers in this draft. They needed to improve the pass rush to begin the draft, which they did, so Kerley is a solid pick in the fifth round as he was the best receiver on the board when the Jets grabbed Powell in the fourth round.
Kerley is not a great receiver. He is lacks solid route running abilities and is not going to beat people deep. Still, he is a shifty receiver who will be best suited in the slot working underneath coverage in soft zones and the middle of the field.
His most important asset is his ability in the return game. If Smith does not return, the Jets needed a quality return specialist, which is where Kerley would make an immediate impact as a rookie.
Kerely dominated last year with 10 touchdowns in his senior season, but that was with Andy Dalton throwing the ball at TCU in a weak conference. The NFL is a much different beast.
He will not make a major impact in the aerial attack, but he does have solid hands, which is always a plus. He will make a difference in the return game with his speed, agility and shiftiness.
Grade: B-
Round 7, Pick No. 5 (208 Overall from Arizona)
5 of 7"Height: 6’2”
Weight: 220 lbs
Career Stats: 5,691 yards, 39 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
40-yard Dash – 4.91
Bench Press – N/A
Vertical Jump – 33.0
Broad Jump – 107.0
3 Cone Drill – 7.11
20-yard Shuttle – 4.45
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
The Jets waited the entire draft and were able to land my No. 8 quarterback in the class in the last round. He represents a great value pick for Rex Ryan, who needed a backup to Mark Sanchez heading into the season.
McElroy is a solid prospect, whose intelligence has been all the rave this offseason after a remarkable Wonderlic score. His maturity and high-football IQ will help him a long way in the locker and film rooms, as well as learning the playbook.
This is a man who will be ready to play each game. More importantly, he has a winning pedigree. He comes from a great system under Nick Saban and is ready for the NFL.
Grade: A
Round 7, Pick No. 24 (227 Overall from Seattle Through Philadelphia)
6 of 7"Height: 5’11”
Weight: 182 lbs
Career Stats: 219 receptions 2,590 yards, 22 touchdowns
40-yard Dash – 4.5
Bench Press – 13.0
Vertical Jump – 34.0
Broad Jump – 10'08"
3 Cone Drill – 6.68
20-yard Shuttle – 4.07
60-yard Shuttle – N/A
"
Mark Sanchez went to the Colorado Pro Day and threw to his childhood buddy Scotty McKnight. I can only imagine how many text messages Mark threw Scotty’s way when they learned they were going to be able to play together in the NFL. No, they weren’t in pads, and blitzers weren’t getting ready to rock Sanchez in the pocket, but they looked comfortable with each other.
This is a fantastic story and for that, I like the Jets’ last pick in the seventh round.
The Jets probably could have signed him as an undrafted free agent if I had to guess. They passed on several talented players, such as Auburn OT Lee Ziemba, Clemson SS DeAndre McDaniel (undrafted), Oklahoma OLB Jeremy Beal and Nebraska S Eric Hagg.
McKnight adds depth to a receiving corps that, as of now, isn’t really a receiving corps. with so many free agents. He already has chemistry with the franchise quarterback, which is great.
Again, I absolutely love the story. For that, I give the Jets an A.
For the pick itself, with more talented players on the board, I give it a D-.
But hey, at least Sanchez and McKnight are happy for now. He had a stellar career at Colorado. He has his work cut out for him in the NFL, but rest assured Gang Green, Mark Sanchez will help him adjust and possibly morph into a productive slot receiver—maybe the Jets have found their Wes Welker? I doubt it.
Grade: C+
Report Card
7 of 7
"Round 1, Pick No. 30 (30 Overall): Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple DE/DT
Round 3, Pick No.30. (94 Overall): Kenrick Ellis, Hampton DT
Round 4, Pick No. 29 (126 Overall): Bilal Powell, Louisville RB
Round 5, Pick No. 22 (153 Overall from Philadelphia): Jeremy Kerley, TCU WR
Round 7, Pick No. 5 (208 Overall from Arizona): Greg McElroy, Alabama QB
Round 7, Pick 24 (227) (From Seattle through Philadelphia): Scotty McKnight, Colorado WR
"
The Jets did a fantastic job with their first two selections, grabbing two potentially elite players to greatly improve their defense. Both Wilkerson and Ellis were steals for the Jets as they perfectly fit their system and were major needs for Rex Ryan.
Then, the draft began to taper off a bit. Although a fine player, I refuse to acknowledge drafting a running back as a value pick in the fourth round with top-level talent on the board at safety and linebacker. Had they taken a player like Tyler Sash, aka Jim Leonhard 2.0, in the fourth round, who would have greatly improved the rush and pass defense with his high-football IQ, maturity, ability and work ethic, this draft would look much better.
The Kersey pick is solid as the Jets need insurance for Brad Smith’s potential departure. Greg McElroy will be a fantastic reserve quarterback who is mature enough for the position and is intelligent enough to grasp the playbook quickly.
The Jets end the weekend on a high with a fantastic story of two childhood friends who love the game of football reuniting together in the NFL.
Grade: B
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