New York Jets Post Draft Commentary

The Jets found faltered down the stretch of the 2008 season after holding an 8-3 record at one stage. The season’s final loss to the Miami Dolphins knocked the team out of the playoffs and left a bad taste in many a player and fan alike. The Jets decided to fire Eric Mangini and move in another direction. The front office hired Rex Ryan to spear head the turn around and he promptly led the team’s charge to sign Bart Scott and  Jim Leonhard. Both player should help to provide a sound knowledge of the defense Ryan wishes to employ; helping the transition. The team ended up with only 3 picks this year after a draft day trade.

The Jets entered the 2009 off season with a multitude of questions after assembling their roster for a “Super Bowl or Bust” type season and roster. Brett Favre quasi retired as only he can, leaving the team without anyone as a true signal caller. Kellen Clemens is not the answer. During the draft the Jets traded up with their old Head Coach; Eric Mangini for the services of Mark Sanchez. Whilst I like Sanchez, I think the Jets failed to truly learn from their mistakes in the past. They needed a quarterback, no one denies that fact, but they had so many other needs, giving up multiple draft picks to get him and then bypassing a substantial need at wide receiver is mind boggling. Sanchez could be forced into the toughest situation in the NFL; New York Jets without many skilled playmakers. Sanchez is a good player, and if given weapons, he should turn out alright. But, it looks as though Sanchez is being primed to start from day one, which given his lack of offensive weapons on the outside could be a problem.

The Jets completely bypassed the wide receiver position and are likely looking to scour the waiver wire for as the off season progresses. The team did take a running back; Shonn Greene which should provide insurance against Thomas Jones’ holdout. But, again the team needed help at multiple positions and running back was one them. It would have been better if the team had another draft selection that could have been used to draft a wide receiver to take pressure off of Sanchez and the running game. Breaking in a new quarterback is hard enough, even with a running game. But, now that opposing defenses do not have to worry about the Jets making plays on the outside consistently, stacking the box will be a common sight in obvious running downs.

The Jets did grab Matt Slausson in the 6th round, a good value for the position. Slausson hopefully can come in and win a roster spot as the team needs help along the offensive line in terms of depth behind the starters. The defense could have used some additional players as there are few younger players waiting in the wings. The team’s lack of draft choices however hurt the front office’s chances of making serious changes to the roster through the draft. The Jets do have some pieces in place to be a good team, but their lack of weapons on the outside and experience at quarterback will hurt their chances to be an above .500 team in the 2009 season.

Pre Draft Needs: QB, WR, DL, OL, RB, TE