Cool your Jets: Alternatives to the Mock Draft majority picks

Its the 2009 NFL Draft, and Radio City Music Hall erupts into a frenzy. The New York Jets have traded up with Cleveland for the 5th overall pick to select Mark Sanchez, QB, USC. Immediately after Commissioner Roger Goodell utters the last word of the announcement, the screen fills with a boisterous bunch in green and white. Then, a clamoring, “J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!”

At the analyst desk Mike Mayock, NFL Network analyst — who had Mark Sanchez as his number one ranked QB in the class, ahead of Matthew Stafford — offers his stamp of approval.

“We don’t know yet what they gave up to get here, but I’m pretty much willing to bet, ultimately it’s going to be worth it.”

Hey Mike…it wasn’t!

Traditionally, Jets fans will unload their trademark ‘boos’ — an annual dissapproval for the organization’s direction and therapeutic exercise to cope with the decades of anguish — but for Sanchez the welcome was warmer. Still a divided reaction, but eerily in favor of the USC product.

Instead that treatment was given to the 13th pick in last year’s draft, as fans ‘booed’ Sheldon Richardson all the way to DROY.

Let these mementos serve as a reminder on May 8th. Although it seems cut and dry that the positional need for this year’s draft is at receiver, remember that no one man is going to win a Super Bowl. If you don’t believe me, see Peyton Manning.

Alternatives for the 18th selection

For the sake of argument, omit all possible draft trade scenerios.

Calvin Pryor- FS, Louisville

Slated as the number two ranked safety, behind Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Pryor has found himself steadily shooting up draft boards this off-season, expected to be taken in the 12-25 range. This could be very tempting for Rex, Idzik and company who are in dire need of upgrades in the secondary. He possesses a skillset reminiscent of Brian Dawkins, or even today’s LaRon Landry — delivering devastating blows and leaving opposing wide receivers with their heads on a swivel, trying to locate the ‘guided missile’. Calvin formed one of the best safety tandems in college last season at Louisville and is a reliable open-field tackler, with good vision and ball skills.

Sounds like a Ryan guy already!

Did I just have a flashback to the grin on Rex’s face when LaRon was in NY heaving himself at opponents?

Darqueze Dennard- CB, Michigan St.

Opinions amoungst the top analysts on Dennard’s draft stock vary, projecting him anywhere from 10th selection to late in the first round. But anyone who’s been through this process before knows: pay no mind. The versatile CB would add solid man-to-man coverage opposite second year Dee Milliner. Although he does not possess the elite straight line speed you typically look for at the position, recording a 4.51, 40 at the combine, he has many other top notch traits.

Dennard has the prototypical build for the position, with a sturdy muscular physique, enabling him to set a hard edge in run support. He also has naturally fluid hips, good body control and acceleration, seen in his ability to thrive in man coverage. Adding Dennard will warrant legitimate consideration if he is sitting there when the Jets are on the clock. Lets not take for granted this ascending front’s ability to apply pressure and get them some playmakers on the backend!

Zack Martin- OT/OG, Notre Dame

Touted as one of the cleanest prospects in this year’s draft, Martin is as well-known for his physical ability, as his character and leadership qualities. He is expected to immediately translate to the NFL game, only it may be at OG, rather than OT, where he played 39 consecutive games from 2011-2013. Drawing comparisons to Logan Mankins, a six-time Pro Bowl selection – who’s been tremendously valuable in protecting Tom Brady for better part of the last decade – Martin could be an enormous addition to the Jets’ offensive line unit.

Before all of your hearts hit the floor at the thought of an OT/OG at 18, take two minutes to let this marinate, while sense is made of this selection.

But please, really think about what we currently have at offensive line.

Fact is, our two offensive line studs are no longer peaking. The Jets drafted both tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold in the first round of the 2006 draft. They are both 30 years old and entering their 9th NFL seasons. With limited tread left on their tyres, this unit could use some strong, young hands on deck. In last year’s draft, the Jets selected Brian Winters in the third round to play LG, but he struggled immensely. While we did sign Breno Giacomini to handle our RT duties, injury prone RG Willie Colon is here as a serviceable pass blocker. The unit is still effective, but no longer in the upper echelon.

Adding Martin’s talent to the fold could turn the three musketeers into the three-headed monster (Johnson, Ivory, Powell). They’d need a motto change though; from ‘all for one and one for all’ to ‘we all goin’ eat, all day long.’

A send-off, predraft snapshot of the 2014 Jets

Its hard not to notice that the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks were the two best teams, from top to bottom, in the NFL last year. The three things they have in common: great defenses, effective rushing attacks, and quarterbacks who limit turnovers.

Yes you heard that correctly!

Translation: defense; ground-and-pound; minimize turnovers.

To the trained eye, maybe Rex had it right the whole time!

From the first day Rex walked in the door, his identity was going to be ground-and-pound; he’d live by it and die by it. This method yielded two years of success, with AFC Championship berths in ’09 and ’10, but the last three seasons have been lackluster.

As it stands, this team is on the rise, locking up key FA signings in the off-season and heading into the draft with an abundance of picks—12 to be exact.

So sit back and cool your jets, as we wait to find out if Idzik really is a ninja.