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With the combine upon us, what better time to unveil Dan’s Draft Notebook. Let’s get it started . . .
If the Jets want to add another quarterback late in the draft, or as an undrafted free agent, Boise State’s Kellen Moore should be a consideration.
Mike Tannenbaum likes to add a quarterback ever year – something he learned from Ron Wolf.
Moore might not have ideal size (about 6-0), but he’s a winner. In fact, he has the most wins of any Division 1 quarterback in history. He surpassed Texas quarterback Colt McCoy this year.
What makes Moore an intriguing prospect, is his strong understanding of passing concepts. He really knows what he’s doing out there. His throwing instincts are outstanding.
You can be 6-5, 235, and make all the throws, but if your instincts aren’t good, how good are you really going to be? Probably average. How much upside are you going to have? Not much.
Drew Brees is the same size as Moore, and he overcomes his lack of ideal size with a high football IQ and tremendous instincts.
I’m not saying Moore is the next Brees, but he’s certainly a guy worth taking a flyer on late in the draft, or signing as a priority free agent . . .
Speaking of quarterbacks, there is so much talk about teams trading up to the #2 spot to grab Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin. The St. Louis Rams currently hold the spot, and they aren’t going to take a quarterback in the first round, with Sam Bradford on board.
The Jets probably won’t be one of those teams looking to make this move.
But teams that do should be careful.
Griffin is a tremendous athlete, great kid and had a lot success at Baylor,but his throwing motion (sidearm) isn’t ideal, and he played in a very simple college offense. He is taking a huge step to the NFL level . . .
A player who right now, and this could change, who fits in right around were the Jets pick in the first round is Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly (pronounced Keek-lee). But let’s see how he tests at the combine and at his Pro Day. Obviously these tests aren’t the be-all, end-all for prospects, but some scouts are worried about his athletic ability. He’s tough and smart, but his hips are somewhat stiff. And with all the coverage being asked of NFL inside linebackers these days, could he be a liability in this area. This needs to be examined closely . . .
Another player who needs to impress scouts in the various tests is Wisconsin wide receiver Nick Toon, the son of former Jets wide receiver Al Toon.
He had a nice career at Wisconsin, but scouts wonder about his speed, and ability to run after the catch. It will be interesting to see how he tests.
Nick is very good, but he’s not his father athletically . . .
We’ve talked a lot about Alabama safety Mark Barron, a player so many mock drafts have attached to the Jets right now. It’s important not to make too much of mock drafts, but this makes so much sense, it’s hard to just blow off speculation.
And one thing I failed to mention about Barron, which should make him even more enticing to the Jets, is the fear he puts in receivers going over the middle.
When was the last time they had a safety who struck tremendous fear in wide receivers attempting catches over the middle.
It’s been a while (though Eric Smith has his moments).
The Jets need some defenders who strike fear in opponents, and this guy is one of those type of players.
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