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Some random thoughts on a potpourri of guys at different positions . . .
A player the Jets need to look long-and-hard at when they are on the clock at six is Alabama tight end O.J. Howard. He could be the next great one at tight end on the NFL level.
“I think he’s a future Greg Olson,” said Mike Mayock. “That’s who I see. He ran 4.51 at 251 pounds, which is outstanding. He can get down the field. He’s tough enough to catch the ball in the crowd. There aren’t many of the Olsons, Wittens, et cetera, and that’s who he can develop into.”
If he’s an Olson-Witten-type that Jets need to keep him in mind. When was the last time they had somebody like that?
If the Jets trade back, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a possibility. Not at six, but if they trade back.
“Pat Mahomes is a pure gunslinger,” Mayock said. “Makes a lot of mistakes. Technique breaks down, throws interceptions. But every single play something either really good or really bad is about to happen. I think he’s an exciting talent.”
If the Jets do pick him, he needs to sit. The Jets don’t need a QB this year making tons of mistakes. They went through too much of that last year. They need an efficient game-manager, who avoids turnovers, to complement their running game, and what should be a much-improved defense. And you can write that down, the Jets’ defense will be much-improved. Getting rid of Darrelle Revis will help a lot. His diminished coverage skills were a drag on that unit last year. I know a lot of Jets fans are a little down on Todd Bowles right now, but I feel Bowles had a ball and chain around his ankle with Revis the last two years, a player who was forced on him. Also. I think that Darron Lee will be MUCH better in Year Two. He was rushed into action last year and then got hurt, so any progress he was making got derailed.
And I think the Jets will add another cornerback high in the draft. If they don’t do it at six, there is a player they can get in perhaps the third round, and remember, they have two third round picks, who has starting potential and is quietly creating a lot of buzz – UCF’s Shaquille Griffin.
“His game tape, number one, it’ good game tapem” said Mayock. “He had 28 passes broken up in the last two years, six interceptions the last two years, and he’s 6-0, 190-plus, and ran really fast. Ran a 4.39 and 4.4. So the tape was pretty solid, the combine was really good. I do know that a lot of defensive back coaches really like him. I think he’s got a chance to go in the third round, but I don’t think he gets out of the fourth round.”
It’s no secret the Jets could use an edge pass rusher. There is a sleeper from FAU.
“I’m a Trey Hendrickson fan,” Mayock said. “I’ve got him in my third round. His tape is good. His East-West game is outstanding. He’s 6’4”, 266, he’s got short arms, which people are trying to kill him with. 32- inch arms. But surprisingly he ran 4.65 at the combine. Faster than people thought. His durability was outstanding. I think he played 48 consecutive games. Heavy production. So my answer to you would be, A, his tape is good. He’s a good football player. He’s done everything right in the process.”
April 21, 2017.
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