The Big Apple’s second franchise approaches their first full year under GM JOE DOUGLAS. He and his “guys” will be calling Draft Day shots for the first time next week. And it is an important Draft for a team that many see as finally making progress from a talent standpoint and having a full compliment of 8 Picks to select with. Stir in TOM BRADY’s exit from New England and JETS fans expectations are high for 2020. And JETS fans don’t even want to hear about that team from upstate being the guys to oust the PATS as AFC East Champs. So let’s get on with giving Mr. DOUGLAS some food for thought.
Round 1, Pick 11 CEE DEE LAMB WR Oklahoma 6’2/198 (PP#11) It’s not just about picking a receiver here, but picking a big play guy. My feeling is that LAMB is the biggest big play threat among the top wideouts. I was stunned when he ran a 4.50/40 at the Combine. He sure plays a lot faster than that. His hands are not huge, but he can really run to the throw and snatch it out of the air. Then he’s like a playful ghost ducking in and out of traffic and tackling attempts. During his time as a Sooner, he had 24 catches that resulted in 40 or more yard plays. That is a school record. He’s hard to cover and even harder to bring down after the catch. He also finds the end zone, as evidenced by his 14 TD’s last season. I think he can be just as explosive of a weapon, and more consistent than, the departed ROBBY ANDERSON. You are welcome Mr. DARNOLD!
Round 2, Pick 48 JOSH JONES OT Houston 6’5/311 (PP#46) He s not a finished product, but even with his flaws, he started 4 years in college, and dominated most of his opponents. He’s not an elite athlete, but he is steady and available. His 5.27 40-time belies his ability to dance with defenders and the hand strength to manipulate most of them. He is a natural knee bender and fundamentally sound. His hands are strong and he uses them to keep defenders off of his body. He needs to get stronger and tougher for NFL level competition, and could use more upper body strength. He’s just a notch below the Top 4 OT group, but should be one of the 5 best OL on the JETS roster. They will likely find place to use him early on. Vet OL Coach FRANK POLLACK will have his work cut out for him this season. Hopefully, JONES would be part of an improved front 5.
Round 3, Pick 68 TERRELL LEWIS OB/ER Alabama 6’5/258 (PP#67) He as an elite athlete overall and a big play defender, but injuries have limited his playing time so far. I also noticed during Senior Bowl activities that even though he has top end speed (4.69/40) and some natural edge-rush moves, he does not “finish” as many plays as he should. Close but no cigar, is indicated with his 16 QBH’s last season, but only 6 sacks. His overall skills and talent should make him a good fit eventually as a standup OB, but not quite yet. Gotta luv those 33 7/8″ arms and 9 7/8″ hands. My guess is that he is a situational edge-rusher for them as a Rookie, but the upside is clearly there for a bigger role. Given his overall career at ‘Bama, I think it’s safe to say that he may be a boom/bust prospect. They need him to boom, because he has edge-rush skills and tools they currently lack enough of.
Round 3, Pick 79 REGGIE ROBINSON CB Tulsa 6’1/205 (PP#86) He was a solid player on a mediocre Tulsa squad who was really strutting his stuff this post-season. He appeared in the Senior Bowl and posted very solid numbers at the Combine. The first thing scouts liked was his nice size, followed closely by those nice numbers at the Combine. His 4.44/40 is adequate for a CB of his size and his 4.18 short shuttle didn’t hurt his cause either. His stats for the 2019 campaign included 38 T’s, 13 PBU’s and 4 INT’s. And his coverage skills during Senior Bowl practices showed him to be a physical presence and solid competitor that stayed with his man well in coverage. He also tracks the ball very well which helps him to break up so many throws. Though not quite as big as the man he likely replaces in the lineup, TREMAINE JOHNSON, ROBINSON shows better man-to-man coverage skills than JOHNSON at the same respective points in their careers. He should play a key role in their rebuilding effort in their secondary, which was disappointing last season, especially on the Corners.
Round 4, Pick 120 McTELVIN AGIM DT Arkansas 6’3/307 (PP#114) AGIM had shown flashes during his career at Arkansas, but made a wise move to return in 2019 for his senior season. With a more proactive mindset and improved practice habits, he posted his best all-around season in Fayetteville. He was a 4-year starter with a program that went into rebuild while he was there. In 2019, he recorded 39 T’s- 8.5 TFL, 5 S’s- 3 QBH’s and 1 FF. And that was all while playing inside at DT. He was invited to the Shrine Bowl and later “promoted” to the Senior Bowl venue. During his practice time at the Shrine, he had my mouth agape on multiple occasions. He was absolutely unblockable during one-on-one drills, using a variety of spins and directional moves to rush the passer. He showed high energy and intensity, grunting and shouting like a demon. He showed very good quicks at the snap and relentless energy to get to his target. His hands were explosive, and coordinated well with his foot action. He was purely and simply a handful for blockers, and capable of pressuring the pocket up the middle. He showed more of the same when he got to Mobile. His sub-5.00 40 time (4.98) at the Combine clearly defined his athleticism. He may not have the quicks for rushing on the outside, but his 10 1/8″ hands and 33 1/2″ arms are above the norm for a DT. He needs to play in a 4-3 base scheme because he can be overpowered inside if stuck on the Nose. He has the tools, if he can be motivated to bigger and better things by his pro DL Coach.
Round 5, Pick 158 STEVEN GONZALEZ OG Penn State 6’4/330 (PP#155) A big mauler in the mold of WILL HERNANDEZ that plays for the other Big Apple team. What you see is what you get, with a nasty streak. The key to his pro career is whether he can show enough flexibility to hold up in pass-pro. He has good hand/arm size numbers for an Interior OL with 10 1/8″/32 3/4″ respectively, and a Wingspan of 80″. He’s a heavy equipment people-mover who was a steady career performer at Penn State. His coaches say he was the anchor of that OL in Happy Valley. He has a chance to win a back-up job on their rebuilt OL, or to at least buy some time improving on their Practice Squad.
Round 6, Pick 191 RAY CALAIS RB/RS LA/Lafayette 5’8/182 (PP#188) In a word, this young man is explosive with the ball in his hands. His 4.42/40-time doesn’t even begin to express what a Home Run threat he is once he tucks the ball under his arm and accelerates. That number was 3rd fastest for a RB at the Combine behind only JONATHAN TAYLOR and DARRYNTON EVANS. He shared time in a talented RB group for the Rajin’ Cajuns, but was by far the most dangerous and productive of the trio they alternated all season. He rushed for 886 yards at 7.6 ypc. He was also their primary Kick Returner, averaging 28.5 yards/return in that role. He has good balance and may not go down if a tackler doesn’t wrap up tightly. He also delivers a hit on contact, usually falling forward, if he goes down at all. Plus, don’t forget that in a crowd he is hard to find at his height. He was a star in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, running hard and taking a Kick-off back 90-yards for a TD early in the 2nd Half. He should make a dangerous back-up to LeVEON BELL in that Jets backfield.
Round 6, Pick 210 SHAQ QUARTERMAN IB Miami (F) 6’0/242 (PP#210) Now hold your tongue when I throw out this first comment. SHAQ is the most productive IB at ‘The U’ since a guy named RAY LEWIS. And he’s not much smaller than RAY. He never had fewer than 82 tackles in a season at Miami, and 2019 was his highest total with 107. As a Rookie, expect him to be an explosive star on Special Teams, with his physical hitting style. He will likely struggle mightily in pass coverage assignments, which means he’ll leave the field after early downs. His 4.74/40 will allow him to pursue from sideline to sideline against the run. His energy and attitude will make it hard to keep him off the field despite his limitations as an athlete. It’s Round 6, and he may be worth this Pick just for his approach to the game. He may light a fire in their locker room and defensive huddle.
A Draft like that above should allow the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets to make serious strides in the rebuild under GM DOUGLAS and returning Head Coach ADAM GASE.
Pigskin
