Content available exclusively for subscribers
In this edition of Website Whispers, Dan looks at a couple of prospects who are good fits for the Jets at 30, including one who sleeps in thefilm room . . .
I’ve written a lot about Purdue DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan as a good fit for the Jets at 30.
He’s maniacal approach, his non-stop motor, could really help the Jets as an edge pass rusher, and tone-setter.
But up to this point, based on pure speculation, you got the sense that the Jets would have trade up for him.
However, that perception is changing a little.
While he did run a 4.67 forty at the combine, he looked a little stiff in the cone drills, and you have to wonder if he truly is a good fit for 3-4 OLB. His 4.67 speed is straight-line, and he doesn’t change directions smoothly.
Some wonder about power of his legs. One Big Ten observer, and former NFL player, told JC that he thinks Kerrigan might get pushed around on the next level.
But with all that being said, if he slips to 30, it would be hard for the Jets to pass him up. It’s one thing to pick a guy with stiff hips at 5 (Vernon Ghoston), but at 30, it’s much more acceptable.
And Rex Ryan had a lot of success in Baltimore with a similar player – Jared Johnson. Kerrigan is often compared to Johnson, who might not be the greatest athlete, but has a motor that goes about 200 MPH on every play.
Kerrigan’s motor revs much higher than Gholston’s. Plus Ryan’s hands are more violent, and that helps him get off blocks more effectively than Gholston.
It’s still a longshot that he’s there when the Jets pick at 30, but I’m starting to get the sense it’s not as much of a longshot as we might think . . .
A guy who most definitely should be there at 30, who would be a great fit for the Jets (though this might be a little high), is UCLA safety Rahim Moore.
The Jets have three free agent safeties – Brodney Pool, James Ihedigbo and Eric Smith. And they have another safety, Jim Leonhard, coming off a horrific leg injury.
According to NFL source, Leonhard is healing fine, but has yet to truly test the leg yet.
Rex Ryan was used to having a star safety in Baltimore in Ed Reed, who was such an integral part of his scheme. He hasn’t had that in New York.
Moore has star potential. He showed that as a sophomore when he had 10 picks.
And Reed is his mentor. They speak on the phone all the time.
Moore is a really amazing kid. He gets it. He’s a health food freak, lives in the weight room, and is a film junky. His former teammate, Tennessee Titans CB Al Varner, gave me an anecdote, on Sirius Radio, that is a testament to his work ethic and drive.
On a few occasions, Varner arrived in the UCLA film room in the morning, and found Moore sleeping. He watching film for so long, he fell asleep.
30 might be too high for Moore, just because he’s a little on the skinny side at 202 pounds. But you know what – he’s just about Reed’s size. Moore is 6-1, 202 (and remember, he’s only a junior, so he will get bigger), and Reed is 5-11, 205.
He’s probably a better fit for the second round, but the Jets don’t have a pick in that round due to the Antonio Cromartie trade.
So maybe they can trade back . . .