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I love this guy’s work, but this theory, that many have, I respectfully disagree with.
Talking about NFL Network draft analyst Bucky Brooks, a former NFL player and scout, who does good work for NFL Media.
In his latest mock draft, with both of the Jets’ first-round picks, he espoused a theory behind these picks, which is very common regarding the Jets, whether it’s Bucky or others, I just don’t agree with it.
At four, he has the Jets picking North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu and here’s his thinking:
“Adding more protection around Zach Wilson should help the Jets’ young QB1 develop in 2022. With Morgan Moses‘ contract up, general manager Joe Douglas could opt to take the big, athletic tackle to shore up the offensive line,” Brooks explained.
Then at 10, he has the Jets picking Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and here is the explanation for that:
“Building around Zach Wilson will require the Jets to expend top picks on perimeter playmakers. Wilson is an A+ wideout with soft hands and superb route-running skills,” Brooks theorized.
Look, if these players are the best available on the Jets value board (regardless of position) perhaps they should pick them. It’s all about sticking to the board.
But this stuff about this draft being about supporting Wilson is a slippery slope.
The Jets’ offensive line was actually okay last year for a number of games. The center was very good, the rookie guard was terrific and the veteran bookend tackles were solid. Right guard was an issue at times, but the trade for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif helped.
And an important point needs to be made about last year’s line – the QB held the ball too long on many plays leading to sacks or pressures, and on a number of these plays, the line was not at fault.
As for the weapons, yes they were a problem late in the year, especially in Buffalo in the last game, with myriad receivers out, but there were plenty of games where the weapons weren’t a problem, and the young QB wasn’t doing the best job going through his progressions, and often fixating on his first read, and that contributed to a number of his picks. How’d the weapons against Cincinnati?
Look, I have no issue with the Jets picking linemen and receivers, but to enter a draft with the mindset that you to do certain things to prop up the QB is very dangerous thinking, The QB needs to improve his footwork, mechanics, accuracy, progressive scans and speed up his internal clock. If he does these things, he could be terrific with his rare arm talent and ability to make plays off-schedule.
But I have seen so many teams go into free agency and the draft, and spend a lot of capital on things like lineman and weapons for a young QB, and it doesn’t make a big difference, because of inherent issues with the quarterback.
How many times did we hear Sam Darnold’s issues were related to line play and weapons, and that turned out not to be the root of the problem?
The Jets need to stick to their board and add the best players available. Obviously they need a lot of pieces on defenses, but by no means should reach.
However, the one thing they can’t do in the draft is enter with a mindset that “we need to get weapons and linemen” to help the QB.
Remember when the Detroit Lions picked receivers in the first round three years in a row to help Joey Harrington and it made no difference?
Joe must avoid the “We need to get pieces to help Wilson” approach to this draft.
Or course you should pick linemen, receivers and tight ends along the way, but don’t fall into the trap that will be a magic pill that will fix the QB.
He has a lot of work to do that has nothing to do with lineman and receivers.
March 2, 2022
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