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Pushing the draft back by two weeks – due to a scheduling conflict with NYC’s Radio City Music Hall – has everyone from draftniks to fans to players, crying foul. This is our new reality, as the NFL plans to keep the new schedule moving forward. Such being the case, let’s introduce even more paranoia, because why not?
You’re now entering the Twilight Zone.
First round defensive lineman
Rex: “I got you another present, Brady.” (Image: NY Post)
We’ll start this off easy, before jumping straight to heart attack.
The Jets have drafted a defensive lineman in each of the first rounds of the past three years. Mo Wilkerson and DROY Sheldon Richardson are extremely talented players, while Que Coples has been very up-and-down, transitioning to a OLB/DE specialist in 2013.
While the Jets have been successful at finding Rex Ryan defensive fits along the defensive line, Jets fans may not be able to bear the repetition, should it happen again. This is especially true when the best player available on the board will probably not be a top-tier D-lineman, thus passing up on better value at other positions. Plus, where would the need be?
No wide receiver selected in the first three rounds
Not everyone would hate this move… (Image: ESPN)
The 2014 NFL Draft is full of talented wide receivers, which doesn’t happen very often – but may occur more as the NFL transitions to pass-first.
Given the depth, the Jets should be able to snag a potential starter in round four (where they have three picks) or later, but this would be to the extreme displeasure of the wider majority of Jets Nation. To pass up on a WR in the first round would be one thing, but rounds two and three are when the boos would reach MetLife Stadium decibels and above, in Radio City Music Hall.
Stephen Hill, on the other hand, would be willing to go ’round two’ on a J-E-T-S JETS [JETS JETS] chant.
The Jets draft a QB in an early round (especially if: their name is Johnny Manziel)
Manziel: “Hey Joe Namath, I can bring the SWAG back.” (Image: AP)
The New York Jets have a nice, fair competition brewing between Geno Smith and Michael Vick, but adding another QB to the mix isn’t out of the question. The Jets have shown an affinity for carrying three QBs on the active roster, so a newcomer may not even have to beat out Matt Simms for a spot, with the practice squad available.
While some fans would be okay with the idea of a developmental/project quarterback, most probably don’t want to see a quarterback stealing value away in rounds one through three.
Johnny Manziel, for one, has received all the hype, but this wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen a prospect fall. Quarterbacks are the faces of franchises, for the most part, and while some teams reach for them, other teams avoid over-drafting with the fear of losing their respective jobs if things don’t pan out. Manziel has the boom-or-bust label written all over him, so he just may fall to number 18th overall or farther.
Drafting a kicker or punter
“The kick is up…and it is not good.” (Image: AP)
While I’m not personally opposed to competition at the special teams positions, Jets fans would have trouble seeing past one of the biggest draft blunders in recent memory. Our friend Tyson Rauch has the reminder and a bonus…
With 12 picks, anything is possible – especially given the inconsistent play at punter last season – but Jets fans would not be happy. A selection at kicker, after finally giving Nick Folk an extension, would be maddening.
Trading away picks for 2015 gold
Even with 12 current selections, it’s possible that Jets scouts have fallen in love with NFL players of the future. Last season, the Cleveland Browns added just five players via the draft, after trading away five picks (the highest being in round four). The Browns stockpiled for this season where they currently hold 10 picks, including (2) first, (2) third, and (2) fourth round choices.
Does Idzik follow the Browns’ model? Probably not. But if he did, in this alternate universe, fans would be trying that much harder to rid themselves of PSLs.
It should be noted that four of the Jets’ selections are compensatory picks – (1) fourth and (3) sixth rounders. These picks cannot be traded away.
