Jets Draft Day 2 Preview

Now that day one/round one of the NFL draft is over it is time to preview day two, which includes rounds two and three.  The Jets currently hold a pick in each round, 2^nd – #15/47 (overall) 3^rd #14/77 (overall), and they will have many options as first round talent slips into later rounds. 

Here are some names and analysis of players/positions to watch as potential picks for the Jets on day two of the NFL Draft:

Offensive Line:

Cordy Glenn – G/OT (Georgia): He had been projected as a first round pick even thought to be a potential pick for the Jets at #16.  Glenn has tremendous size and athletic ability, could be a day one starter, would be a great value at #47.

Jonathan Martin – OT (Stanford): Was considered a top 15 prospect at one point but some disappointing workouts lead to his slide.  At Stanford he played under now San Francisco 49er’s head coach Jim Harbaugh and was the blindside protector for number one overall pick quarterback Andrew Luck.  Martin will get strong consideration from the Jets if available at #47. 

Bobby Massie – OT (Ole Miss):  Had been looked at as a late first to middle second round prospect and would likely be gone before the #47 pick but with Glenn/Martin still on the board Massie might get pushed down.  He has great measurements, 6’6” 316 pound with 35” arms, he is considered a good right tackle prospect and could compete for a starting spot in his first year.   

Amini Silatolu – G/OT (Midwestern): A division two prospect who has impressed NFL scouts and had been in the first round conversation.  The level of competition he faced may have teams backing off some as bigger school prospects remain.  It wouldn’t be surprising to see Silatolu fall to the Jets in the third at #77 and he might be too good to pass up.

Mitchell Schwartz – OT (California): He played against top notch opponents in the PAC-12 and has started 51 games at tackle in his collegiate career playing a majority on the left side.  His brother Geoff Schwartz is currently an NFL lineman.  At 6’5” 318 pounds he has the potential to be a real steal in the third round for the Jets. 

Running Back:

Lamar Miller – (Miami): Probably considered the best running back remaining in the draft since Trent Richardson (Alabama), Doug Martin (Boise State) and David Wilson (Virginia Tech) all went in the first round.  Miller had 1,272 yards rushing with a 5.6 per carry average and 17 receptions last season for the Hurricanes.  He also impressed at the NFL combine running a 4.38 forty time at 5’11” 212 pounds.  Miller will get strong consideration if he last till the Jets second round pick. 

LaMichael James – (Oregon): Considered a change of pace back James is only 5’8″ but is known as an explosive runner with breakaway speed amassing 2,015 yards from scrimmage last season for the Ducks.  Probably a reach for the Jets at #47 but if available at #77 would be intriguing.

Isaiah Pead – (Cincinnati): Pead was the Senior Bowl MVP and the Jets have been rumored to be interested for awhile.  He had a nice 2011 season with over 1,200 yards rushing but his receiving skills make him even more valuable with 39 receptions for 319 yards. He could be a replacement for LaDainian Tomlison if available at #77.

Robert Turbin – (Utah State): The Jets have already shown interest having Turbin in for a visit.  A big back at 5’10” 222 pounds but still ran a 4.44 forty time and had a 6.1 yard per carry average last season.  The Jets will likely look for him at #77 since #47 seems a bit high for a small school prospect, but with three running backs taken on day one his value maybe rising.   

Defensive End/Linebacker:

Courtney Upshaw- (Alabama): Once considered a first round lock and often mocked to the Jets at #16, Upshaw slide out of the first round.  Having played in a 3-4 system under Coach Nick Saban Upshaw seems like a perfect fit for the Jets defense.  He had a solid collegiate career but became a “man without a country,” as NFL scouts felt he had no true position given his measurements and abilities.  It will be surprising to see a talented player fall much longer even with these concerns.  The Jets may need to trade up from #47 if they want to secure Upshaw. 

Andre Branch – (Clemson):  Was worked out by Rex Ryan personally at his pro-day.  Branch has the size, 6’4” 259 pounds 34’ arms, and speed, 4.6 forty, you look for in an outside linebacker.  He recorded 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season.   With Upshaw still on the board, the Jets may have a shoot at Branch at #47.

Ronelle Lewis – (Oklahoma):  Lewis is a versatile hard hitter who could play inside or outside backer.  He moves well in space to defend the pass, stout against the run and can rush the passer.  The Jets have shown interest hosting him for a visit.  Lewis was rumored to be coveted by the Cowboys at #45 but since they have traded that pick away to acquire Morris Claiborne the Jets may have an opportunity to land Lewis at #47. 

Wide Receiver:

Stephen Hill – (Georgia Tech): Was the combine wonder posting a 4.36 forty at 6’4” 215 pounds but limited route running and only 49 career receptions for the Yellow Jackets pushed him out of round one.  While raw Hill has great potential and probably won’t last until #47 so the Jets may need to trade up if they want him. 

Alshon Jeffery – (South Carolina):  Jeffery has solid collegiate numbers in the tough SEC conference, should have been a first round lock, but concerns about his weight and work ethics drove his stock down.  At 6’3’ 216 pounds with big hands (10 ¼ inches) running a 4.5 forty, Jeffery has all the necessary attributes to be a starting NFL receiver.  With Hill still around the big possession receiver, Jeffery, the Jets want may fall to them at #47. 

Chris Givens – (Wake Forest): Would be a great value pick at #77 with 83 receptions for 1,330 yards last season Givens has 4.4 forty speed and has drawn some comparisons to Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace. 

Ruben Randle – (LSU): Another tall/big 6’3” 210 pounds, receiver out of the SEC.  Randle ran a 4.55 forty at the NFL combine.  He has good hands with big play ability recording 17.3 yards per reception last season.  Would likely need to be taken at #47 since he would not last until #77.

Mohamed Sanu – (Rutgers): The local product the Jets had for a visit has good size and excellent hands.  At 6’2” 211 pounds, not known as a burner 4.66 forty, Sanu is a good route runner who will catch the ball and put up an impressive 115 receptions for 1,206 yards for the Scarlet Knights last year. 

Defensive Back:

Brandon Taylor – Safety (LSU): Playing against elite competition in the SEC Taylor recorded 71 tackles, 5 pass defenses and 2 interceptions last year for the Tigers.  He is considered a hard hitter who doesn’t shy away from contact with good range and 4.5 forty speed.  The Jets will be looking at Taylor in round three.

Josh Robinson – Cornerback (Central Florida): A small school prospect Robinson ran a 4.29 forty at the NFL combine and is known for his man-to-man coverage skills.  Rex Ryan loves his coverage guys and Robinson might be too good to pass on at #77.

Markelle Martin – Safety (Oklahoma State): He has been unable to perform workouts before the draft due to injury, so his stock has fallen.  Martin had 74 tackles and 11 pass defenses for the Cowboys last season but only 3 career interceptions.  He is considered to have good range and might be available at #77 due to his lack of workouts. 

Jayron Hosely – Cornerback (Virginia Tech): It was recently released that Hosely failed a drug test at the NFL combine, so this of course hurts his draft status.  He is a gifted athlete running a 4.38 forty at the combine and amassed 9 interceptions in 2010 and 3 in 2011 along with 32 pass defenses in those years.  The Jets might take a chance, even after the failed test, on such a talented player falling to them at #77. 

Trumaine Johnson – Cornerback/Safety (Montana): A small school prospect with good size 6’2’ 204 pounds, and runs a 4.6 forty.  Johnson ended his collegiate career at Montana with 36 pass defenses and 15 interceptions.  It has been rumored the Patriots are interested in him it is unlikely he will fall to the Jets at #77 so they will need to consider using their second round pick.

Dennis Agapito

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