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Premium – In the latest edition of Dan Leberfeld’s One Jets Drive, we take a look at a good fit at 18, and the unfortunate news for Willie Colon . . .
While I think John Idzik is a true believer in sticking to the team’s value board in the draft, and not reaching for need (which is considered by most to be the best draft strategy), it’s always great for an organization, when need and value come together.
Teams set their board before the draft, ranking players, regardless of position, in the order of their value, based on extensive scouting.
While I think the Jets weapons this year aren’t as big a problem as the mainstream media would leave you to believe. David Nelson, Jeremy Kerley, Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Winslow and company looked fine to me the Jets’ late season wins over Oakland, Cleveland and Miami.
But I think we can all agree that the Jets will likely add a receiver in the first few rounds.
A player who could be perfect for them with the 18th pick of the first round, from a value standpoint, is Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans, who announced this week he’s leaving school early.
He’s 6-5, 225, and helped himself a great deal in the draft process when he caught seven passes for 279 yards against an Alabama secondary loaded with draft picks.
He could be perfect for the Jets at 18.
But something happened yesterday in the Aggies win over Duke that had to concern some scouts.
Evans drew two personal foul penalties in the first quarter in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Not good.
Johnny Manziel got in his face about this.
His attitude will have to be examined to the nth degree (like all prospects).
But from a skillset standpoint, he is just what the Jets need – a big receiver with great leaping ability, who wins jump balls and has strong hands.
Another receiver who could pique the Jets interest at 18 is Vanderbilt’s Jordan Mathews. He is 6-3, 210, and has great bloodlines for a receiver. He is Jerry Rice’s cousin. And like most Vanderbilt players, he is smart and has good character. For the uninitiated, Vanderbilt is a superb school.
But Mathews at 18, might be a little bit of a reach, so he would probably be a guy you would trade back for . . .
What a shame for Willie Colon.
According to ESPN New York, he suffered a torn biceps injury against the Miami Dolphins.
This is going to cost him a lot of money in free agency.
He had a terrific season this year. He’s a superb run blocker – a mauler, a road-grader, and an underrated pass blocker.
I’m not saying he was going to make get huge money.
But I think he could have grabbed a two-year deal for $6 million, perhaps.
Remember, a big concern about him last year in free agency was his health, and that is why he only got a one-year deal from the Jets for around the league minimum.
In 2013, aside from a calf injury, that didn’t lead to any missed time, he started all sixteen games.
So for him to suffer that injury in the season finale has to be devastating to him.
And it probably is going to lead him likely to another one-year deal.
Remember, this isn’t his first biceps injury.
He suffered one in 2011 with Pittsburgh, ending his season after one game.
January 1, 2013
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