The 2011 Arrowhead Pride Mock Draft continues with bradelli58 choosing for the New York Jets at No. 30...
The New York Jets had a successful 2010 season, however not as successful as their bashful coach predicted. The Jets finished 11-5, second in the AFC East to the 14-2 New England Patriots. In the AFC Wild Card game, the Jets held on against Peyton Manning and Colts for a 17-16 win. The following week, the Jets harassed Tom Brady and the Patriots with 5 sacks and an interception to defeat their division rivals 28-21. The Jets run ended in the AFC Championship against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers with a 24-19 loss.
The common theme here is the caliber of QBs in the AFC that the Jets will have to face every year in their quest to win the Super Bowl. Rex Ryan's aggressive 3-4 defense that gets after the opposing quarterback is crucial in this goal.
This leads in to the Jets 2011 offseason which will be filled with a lot of personnel choices, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Jets list of free agents shows some key contributors in their front 7:
- ILB David Harris - Franchised
- CB Antonio Cromartie
- DE Shaun Ellis
- WR Santonio Holmes
- WR Braylon Edwards
- WR Brad Smith
- NT Kris Jenkins
- DE Jason Taylor
- DE Vernon Gholston
In order for their defense to be effective, the Jets will have to strengthen their front 7, especially at DE and OLB. Taylor (age) and Gholston(effectiveness) don't look like they will be asked to return. With Kris Jenkins recent injury history, his time may be up. Shaun Ellis has been a key piece at 3-4 DE, but even if the Jets decide to resign him, it will be for the short term considering his age (34).
Considering their needs, I see three available players in contention for the 30th pick in the draft(in alphabetical order):
- Adrian Clayborn - DE Iowa
- Brooks Reed - OLB Arizona
- J.J. Watt - DE Wisconsin
Without further ado, with the 30th selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, the NY Jets select...
J.J. Watt, Defensive End, University of Wisconsin
- Height: 6-5 Weight: 290 lbs
- Combine Numbers
- 40yd Dash: 4.84
- Bench (225) - 34 reps
- Vertical - 37 in.
- Arm Length - 34 in.
Watt began his career at Central Michigan as a TE and transferred to Wisconsin after one year. He red-shirted in 2008, before becoming a starter for the Badgers in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, Watt won the Ronnie Lott Award and was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award. He was also voted 2nd team All-American by the Associated Press.
STRENGTHS: Watt is a great athlete at DE, which showed up in his combine numbers. He also has prototype size for a 3-4 DE at 6-5, 290lbs. Watt is a relentless pass rusher which comes from his outstanding work ethic and athleticism. Watt is also strong against the run.
WEAKNESSES: Watt has to work on developing some pass-rush moves. He was able to get by on his size and athleticism in college. He also is still developing at DE after moving from TE early in his college career.
Summary
While I don't believe Watt will still be on the board at 30, he is a perfect fit for the five-technique Defensive End in a 3-4. Looking at the current players on the Jets roster, DE is more of a pressing need than OLB. The Jets can lean on Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas at OLB for at least one more year. Whereas at DE, assuming they dont resign Shaun Ellis, their projected starters are Mike DeVito and Marcus Dixon. This dropped Brooks Reed from consideration, leaving Watt and Clayborn. Clayborn may be ready to contribute a little sooner than Watt, but Watt has much higher upside. Watts had a great combine and pro day, and the Jets hope that will propel him to a successful rookie year where he can contribute while learning on the job.
Full Schedule And Results:
1. Carolina Panthers (ChiefsFan90s) - Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert
2. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers
3. Buffalo Bills (Arrowdread) - Auburn QB Cam Newton
4. Cincinnati Bengals (Dirty South Chiefs Fan) - Georgia WR A.J. Green
5. Arizona Cardinals (tmurawsk) - Texas A&M OLB Von Miller
6. Cleveland Browns (H2E) - Auburn DT Nick Fairley
7. San Francisco 49ers (Another Successful Tedford QB) - LSU CB Patrick Peterson
8. Tennessee Titans (ejr58) - Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara
9. Dallas Cowboys (IamtheGreatest) - Alabama DL Marcell Dareus
10. Washington Redskins (nmchief) - Alabama WR Julio Jones
11. Houston Texans (FalconMF27) - Missouri DE Aldon Smith
12. Minnesota Vikings (Raven Hawk) - USC OT Tyron Smith
13. Detroit Lions (Matt Hays) - Boston College OT Anthony Castanzo
14. St. Louis Rams (Sam D) - Illinois DT Corey Liuget
15. Miami Dolphins (YerganFlurgan) - Alabama RB Mark Ingram
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (GenericBrand) - Cal DE Cameron Jordan
17. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Temple DE Muhammad Wilkerson
18. San Diego Chargers (Chiefscafan58) - North Carolina DE Robert Quinn
19. New York Giants (flowers 24) - Florida C Mike Pouncey
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PSUkegreen) - Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan
21. Kansas City Chiefs (Matt_Grbac) - Baylor NT Phil Taylor
22. Indianapolis Colts (saskwatch) - Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi
23. Philadelphia Eagles (OnlyKCFanNVA) - Colorado OT Nate Solder
24. New Orleans Saints (The Other Patrick Allen) - Georgia DE/LB Justin Houston
25. Seattle Seahawks (Simon from KC) - TCU QB Andy Dalton
26. Baltimore Ravens (Ben S) - Colorado CB Jimmy Smith
27. Atlanta Falcons (stagdsp) - Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward
28. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - UCLA LB Akeem Ayers
29. Chicago Bears (KillaCity107) - Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod
30. New York Jets (bradelli58) - Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (scottchief) - Tuesday April 5th
32. Green Bay Packers (Aesthetist) - Wednesday April 6th
Round Two
33. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Wednesday April 6th
34. Buffalo Bills (Arrowdread) - Wednesday April 6th
35. Cincinnati Bengals (Dirty South Chiefs Fan) - Thursday April 7th
36. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Thursday April 7th
37. Cleveland Browns (H2E) - Thursday April 7th
38. Arizona Cardinals (tmurawsk) - Friday April 8th
39.Tennessee Titans (ejr58) - Friday April 8th
40. Dallas Cowboys (IamtheGreatest) - Friday April 8th
41. Washington Redskins (nmchief) - Monday April 11th
42. Houston Texans (FalconMF27) - Monday April 11th
43. Minnesota Vikings (Raven Hawk) - Monday April 11th
44. Detroit Lions (Matt Hays) - Tuesday April 12th
45. San Francisco 49ers (Another Successful Tedford QB) - Tuesday April 12th
46. Denver Broncos (craig in calgary) - Tuesday April 12th
47. St. Louis Rams (Sam D) - Wednesday April 13th
48. Oakland Raiders (mushin) - Wednesday April 13th
49. Jacksonville Jaguars (GenericBrand) - Wednesday April 13th
50. San Diego Chargers (Chiefsfaninca58) - Thursday April 14th
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (PSUkegreen) - Thursday April 14th
52. New York Giants (flowers 24) - Thursday April 14th
53. Kansas City Chiefs (Matt_Grbac) - Friday April 15th
54. Indianapolis Colts (saskwatch) - Friday April 15th
55. Philadelphia Eagles (OnlyKCFanNVA) - Friday April 15th
56. New Orleans Saints (The Other Patrick Allen) - Monday April 18th
57. Seattle Seahawks (Simon from KC) - Monday April 18th
58. Baltimore Ravens (Ben S) - Monday April 18th
59. Atlanta Falcons (stagdsp) - Tuesday April 19th
60. New England Patriots (averagegatsby) - Tuesday April 19th
61. Chicago Bears (KillaCity107) - Tuesday April 19th
62. New York Jets (bradelli58) - Wednesday April 20th
63. Pittsburgh Steelers (scottchief) - Wednesday April 20th
64. Green Bay Packers (Aesthetist) - Wednesday April 20th