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New Jersey – With the combine in the rear-view mirror, let’s take a look at how the proceedings in Indianapolis could impact the Jets decision with the sixth pick in the draft . . .
There is no doubt that the workout of Trae Wayne at the combine puts him in the Jets’ picture.
The Michigan State cornerback ran a 4.31 forty at Lucas Oil Field, the best of any defensive back at the combine.
I know I constantly harp on how you can’t get too caught up in workout numbers, and you have to look at the game film. As scouts love to say, “the film doesn’t lie.”
However, in this case, the 40 time does matter.
First of all, the film is good on the player. He’s a terrific man-to-man corner. And he’s not a one-year wonder. He put together back-to-back terrific seasons for the Spartans. He’s a confident corner, with good technique, who can hold up on an island, which is so important in Todd Bowles 3-4 attacking defense.
But the one big question people had about him was his speed. Honestly, no team is going to pick a cornerback in the Top 10 with who runs, let’s say, a 4.53 forty.
Top 10 corners generally combine good film and good speed. Scouts weren’t sure about Wayne’s speed entering the combine. Now they know.
And with his workout in Indy, Waynes solidified his status as the numero uno CB in this draft, and it’s probably by a landslide.
So from a value standpoint, he is now in play at six.
Also moving himself into consideration for the six spot is Clemson DE/OLB Vic Beasley.
Beasley put on a show in Inday. It was one of the all-time great workouts at the combine. At 6-3, 246 pounds, he ran a 4.53, had a 41-inch vertical and bench-pressed 225, 35 times. That is a heck of troika. It shows tremendous athletic explosion. And on top of this workout, and his production at Clemson, what makes Beasley such an appealing prospect, are his intelligence and character.
Florida’s Dante Fowler is another good character 3-4 OLB who had a tremendous workout in Indy. Fowler 6-2 1/2, 261-pounder, he ran a 4.6. He is heck of a football player with a tremendous motor.
Another player who put himself in the picture at six is West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White. At a rock solid 6-3, 215 pounds, he ran a 4.35 forty. He is a big-time talent who can take over a game.
The Jets have missed the playoffs four years in a row.
Picking a quarterback who theoretically can’t help them in earnest for a year, maybe two or three, if ever, is a plan rife with holes.
And honestly, while many aren’t sold on Geno Smith, he’s better the top two quarterbacks in the Year 2015 – RIGHT NOW, with two years of NFL starting experience under his belt. A veteran the Jets could add, like a Brian Hoyer, would also be better than the top two QB prospects, for the 2015 season.
The aforementioned four players, all at play for the six spot after strong combines, can help them immediately.
February 27, 2015
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