New York Jets Forecast
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New York Jets (4-12)
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(4) Matt Leinart, QB. USC
(29) Bobby Carpenter, OLB. Ohio State
(35) Joseph Addai, RB. Louisiana State
(71) Chris Chester, C. Oklahoma
(97) Andrew Whitworth, OT. LSU
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No team was more disappointing than the Jets last season. Speculated by some to win the AFC East, an injury to Chad Pennington and Curtis Martin later, the Jets are drafting fourth overall, boasting a 4-12 record. Having traded away New York's TO, John Abraham, for the 29th overall pick and having been given the 97th pick overall as a compensatory selection, the Jets have an opportunity to manage an amazing draft with five first-day selections. Team needs exist, offensively, on the line and under center. Finding a franchise quarterback is a priority. Getting help up front, both at tackle and center would help lessen the burden of losing both Jason Fabini and Kevin Mawae to free agency. Defensively, the Jets could stand help on the defensive line, in the linebacking corp, and the secondary. However, they are really only three or four NFL-caliber athletes away from a dominating squad on that side of the ball.
(4) Matt Leinart, QB. USC
With Chad Pennington's arm more fragile than mache paper and Patrick Ramsey nothing more than a glorified backup, the Jets would like to add a franchise arm that is as close to NFL-ready as possible. Enter Matt Leinart: the most successful quarterback in NCAA history. Leinart was Frostee Rucker losing contain on Vince Young away from being a three-time National Champion. He has four years of experience in a Pro-style offense, and has successes like no other player in the draft. His 6'5"/225 frame is as ideal as his winning mentality. In terms of measurables, Leinart has adequate arm strength to throw the deep out and excellent accuracy. He puts touch on all his passes and steps up to the plate on the biggest stages. He is polished enough to start in the NFL tomorrow. If Leinart is available at #4, the Jets will have their pick into the commish within minutes.
(29) Bobby Carpenter, OLB. Ohio State
Adjusting to the 3-4 defense will be a difficult transition for the Jets without drafting the proper personnel. Bobby Carpenter is a prototypical outside linebacker for the scheme. He has ideal size at 6'2"/256. He plays faster than his 4.66 time on the field, having displayed sideline-to-sideline range at Ohio State. Having had experience playing from a three-point stance, Carpenter is a perfect 3-4 linebacker prospect that can rush te passer. Lost in the shuffle, Carpenter will find himself not drafted until the latter areas of round one; but, one must not neglect the fact that Bobby Carpenter has a polished game and an NFL frame. He is ready to play sooner than later. This is exactly what the Jets need.
(35) Joseph Addai, RB. Louisiana State
Curtis Martin is aging. Derrick Blaylock is not a long-term option as a feature back. It seems strange to call a second rounder a diamond in the rough, but -if ever- Joe Addai is that guy. Addai has every skill you would ever ask out of a running back. He has elite 4.40 speed. He runs with balance and power both inside and outside the tackles. He is an excellent pass protector and catches the ball amazingly out of the backfield. Aside from having average size (5'11"/214), Addai's only other knock is that he lacks experience. Having been in the shadows of better backs and having been injured previously, Addai only has one year of starting experience. Nevertheless, he could be special.
(71) Chris Chester, C. Oklahoma
The Jets need help on the offensive line. Having lost All-Pro Center, Kevin Mawae, to free agency, the Jets need to find a replacement in the draft. Chris Chester showed up on draft boards at the very bottom at the end of the college season. He was considered laregely a project case with no NFL-ready skill at the moment. However, Chester has since flown up the boards. It would not be unrealistic to see Chester taken in the top 40 on draft day. A converted tight end, he has only one year experience on the offensive line. Even after adding size, the 6'4"/303 Chester has maintained superior athleticism. His 4.88 speed is among the fastest times by any offensive lineman. During individual workouts with NFL teams, he has shown himself to be very coachable, making progress with every snap. The Jets may well value him enough to grab him in the second round.
(97) Andrew Whitworth, OT. LSU
In consecutive seasons, the Jets have lost Kareem McKenzie and Jason Fabini. The state of the offensive tackles is destitute. Having had no chance at D'Brickashaw Ferguson and having been presented poor value in the early portions of the second and third rounds, the Jets simply have to address theis need before the first day of drafting has passed. Andrew Whitworth is a four year starter at LSU. At 6'7"/334, he possesses a large frame. He uses his size effectively with his superior strength to overwhelm opponents, particularly in the running game. He is a technically sound blocker that has the uncoachable, nasty demeanor that every coach desires from their offensive lineman. He projects as a starter at right tackle and a backup at left tackle in the NFL. This pick exhibits an excellent marriage of value and need.
(*) D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT. Virginia
The Jets need help desperately along the offensive line. D'Brickashaw Ferguson is the brand of offensive tackle prospect that comes along but once every ten years. The last prospect to hold such a high grade was Orlando Pace in 1997. If the Saints take Mario Williams and the Titans grab a quarterback, look for the Jets to take D'Brickashaw Ferguson, even if Matt Leinart is on the board. The team feels they can get good value with another NFL-caliber arm in the middle portions of Day One. Should the first three picks end up falling: Reggie Bush, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Matt Leinart, the Jets are said to be heading in the direction of Mario Williams over Young and Cutler. No DE prospect since Julius Peppers can boast the abilitiy Williams has.
New York Jets (4-12)
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(4) Matt Leinart, QB. USC
(29) Bobby Carpenter, OLB. Ohio State
(35) Joseph Addai, RB. Louisiana State
(71) Chris Chester, C. Oklahoma
(97) Andrew Whitworth, OT. LSU
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No team was more disappointing than the Jets last season. Speculated by some to win the AFC East, an injury to Chad Pennington and Curtis Martin later, the Jets are drafting fourth overall, boasting a 4-12 record. Having traded away New York's TO, John Abraham, for the 29th overall pick and having been given the 97th pick overall as a compensatory selection, the Jets have an opportunity to manage an amazing draft with five first-day selections. Team needs exist, offensively, on the line and under center. Finding a franchise quarterback is a priority. Getting help up front, both at tackle and center would help lessen the burden of losing both Jason Fabini and Kevin Mawae to free agency. Defensively, the Jets could stand help on the defensive line, in the linebacking corp, and the secondary. However, they are really only three or four NFL-caliber athletes away from a dominating squad on that side of the ball.
Jets' fans want nothing more than to bring
Hollywood, Matt Leinart, to New York City.
(4) Matt Leinart, QB. USC
With Chad Pennington's arm more fragile than mache paper and Patrick Ramsey nothing more than a glorified backup, the Jets would like to add a franchise arm that is as close to NFL-ready as possible. Enter Matt Leinart: the most successful quarterback in NCAA history. Leinart was Frostee Rucker losing contain on Vince Young away from being a three-time National Champion. He has four years of experience in a Pro-style offense, and has successes like no other player in the draft. His 6'5"/225 frame is as ideal as his winning mentality. In terms of measurables, Leinart has adequate arm strength to throw the deep out and excellent accuracy. He puts touch on all his passes and steps up to the plate on the biggest stages. He is polished enough to start in the NFL tomorrow. If Leinart is available at #4, the Jets will have their pick into the commish within minutes.
(29) Bobby Carpenter, OLB. Ohio State
Adjusting to the 3-4 defense will be a difficult transition for the Jets without drafting the proper personnel. Bobby Carpenter is a prototypical outside linebacker for the scheme. He has ideal size at 6'2"/256. He plays faster than his 4.66 time on the field, having displayed sideline-to-sideline range at Ohio State. Having had experience playing from a three-point stance, Carpenter is a perfect 3-4 linebacker prospect that can rush te passer. Lost in the shuffle, Carpenter will find himself not drafted until the latter areas of round one; but, one must not neglect the fact that Bobby Carpenter has a polished game and an NFL frame. He is ready to play sooner than later. This is exactly what the Jets need.
Addai is the hard-nosed warrior to be the successor
to Curtis Martin at tailback for the Jets
(35) Joseph Addai, RB. Louisiana State
Curtis Martin is aging. Derrick Blaylock is not a long-term option as a feature back. It seems strange to call a second rounder a diamond in the rough, but -if ever- Joe Addai is that guy. Addai has every skill you would ever ask out of a running back. He has elite 4.40 speed. He runs with balance and power both inside and outside the tackles. He is an excellent pass protector and catches the ball amazingly out of the backfield. Aside from having average size (5'11"/214), Addai's only other knock is that he lacks experience. Having been in the shadows of better backs and having been injured previously, Addai only has one year of starting experience. Nevertheless, he could be special.
Scouts are growing to love Chris Chester about
as much as Chris Chester loves ice cream
(71) Chris Chester, C. Oklahoma
The Jets need help on the offensive line. Having lost All-Pro Center, Kevin Mawae, to free agency, the Jets need to find a replacement in the draft. Chris Chester showed up on draft boards at the very bottom at the end of the college season. He was considered laregely a project case with no NFL-ready skill at the moment. However, Chester has since flown up the boards. It would not be unrealistic to see Chester taken in the top 40 on draft day. A converted tight end, he has only one year experience on the offensive line. Even after adding size, the 6'4"/303 Chester has maintained superior athleticism. His 4.88 speed is among the fastest times by any offensive lineman. During individual workouts with NFL teams, he has shown himself to be very coachable, making progress with every snap. The Jets may well value him enough to grab him in the second round.
(97) Andrew Whitworth, OT. LSU
In consecutive seasons, the Jets have lost Kareem McKenzie and Jason Fabini. The state of the offensive tackles is destitute. Having had no chance at D'Brickashaw Ferguson and having been presented poor value in the early portions of the second and third rounds, the Jets simply have to address theis need before the first day of drafting has passed. Andrew Whitworth is a four year starter at LSU. At 6'7"/334, he possesses a large frame. He uses his size effectively with his superior strength to overwhelm opponents, particularly in the running game. He is a technically sound blocker that has the uncoachable, nasty demeanor that every coach desires from their offensive lineman. He projects as a starter at right tackle and a backup at left tackle in the NFL. This pick exhibits an excellent marriage of value and need.
The Jets might take Brick over Leinart
(*) D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT. Virginia
The Jets need help desperately along the offensive line. D'Brickashaw Ferguson is the brand of offensive tackle prospect that comes along but once every ten years. The last prospect to hold such a high grade was Orlando Pace in 1997. If the Saints take Mario Williams and the Titans grab a quarterback, look for the Jets to take D'Brickashaw Ferguson, even if Matt Leinart is on the board. The team feels they can get good value with another NFL-caliber arm in the middle portions of Day One. Should the first three picks end up falling: Reggie Bush, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Matt Leinart, the Jets are said to be heading in the direction of Mario Williams over Young and Cutler. No DE prospect since Julius Peppers can boast the abilitiy Williams has.