Darft Preview: New York Jets

As I eluded to in my New Year’s Day blog, the Jets have a plethora of needs and holes to fill on the roster.

Not sure if you heard, but they traded for Tim Tebow, solidifying the backup quarterback spot and hopefully motivating Mark Sanchez to do bigger and better things.  This drops the need to address the position down the list.

The Jets also signed LaRon Landry which eliminates the dire need to select a safety.

That leaves the team with these holes remaining, in order of importance:

Pass Rusher: As a fan, it was incredibly frustrating to watch the lack of pressure being applied on opposing quarterbacks. This must have driven Rex Ryan crazy. He was forced to dial up blitzes repeatedly, and even those didn’t have much success.

Playmaker: In terms of addressing this need, the Jets signed WR Chaz Schilens. In other words, they still have a need for playmakers. I’ve mentioned on a number of occasions that this team relied way too heavily on Big 10 players at the skill positions. Plax (Michigan State), Santonio Holmes (Ohio State), Derrick Mason (Michigan State), Shonn Greene (Iowa), and Dustin Keller (Purdue) were all supposed to play important roles in the 2011 offense. That is not a winning combination.

Offensive Lineman: Wayne Hunter needs to be replaced. Not much more needs to be said.

Linebacker: Bart Scott’s career is on its last legs, and Bryan Thomas is slowing as well. Calvin Pace can look great one week and very mediocre the next. Aside from David Harris, this is a position in transition.

Depth: It’s a luxury every team covets but few actually have. Injuries, namely to Jim Leonhard, late in the last two seasons have played a part in derailing their Super Bowl aspirations. It will be important to plan for the possibility/probability of injury. Running back depth behind Greene and McKnight wouldn’t hurt. Neither would some offensive line depth and a developmental quarterback.

If not for a late-season injury, Broyles might have been a second round pick. Let's hope the Jets capitalize.

Ideal Jets Draft

1 (16): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

2 (47): Bruce Irvin, DE/LB, West Virginia

3 (77): Nate Potter, OT, Boise State

5 (154): Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

6 (187): Bryce Brown, RB, Kansas State

6 (202): Sammy Brown, DE/LB, Houston

6 (203): Tank Carder, LB, TCU

7 (232): Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern

7 (242): Jordan White, WR, Western Michigan

7 (244): Josh Dworacyzk, OG, LSU

*I tried to find a way for the Jets to take Georgia CB Brandon Boykin (aka one of the famed “Georgia Brothers”) but there were too many pressing needs elsewhere.