Keeping in mind we all like the players we took or we wouldn't have taken them, here was what I thinking for the Jets' draft
1(6)
Marcus Mariota
QB, Oregon
(6-4, 220)
He could go 1st overall. But even if this was the 2nd pick, I may not have taken Mariota (Leonard would have been hard to pass up). Nevertheless, this was the 6th pick and the Jets aren't happy with their QB situation. They also have a new GM and head coach—which often means time for a new QB.
The upside here is tremendous, so they seized a rare opportunity to potentially get a future superstar. He'll need top level coaching, but he has the physical skill-set, mental make-up and athletic ability to really shine in the future.
And again…this was the 6th pick. At that point, I really liked the player, team fit, and value.
2(37)
Benardrick McKinney
ILB, Miss State
(6-5, 245)
I saw this guy play a lot this year. McKinney is going to start right away. He could go as early as the mid first round but even if not, I still thought he was good value in the 2nd round….and especially for a team that needs ILB help. He's a real leader and stalker in the middle.. He also has good instincts and is a good blitzer. I really like Perryman as well, though they are two different players and he was already gone anyway. It's a tossup…some (Mayock) prefer McKinney and some (McShay) prefer Perryman. I was happy to get one of them in the 2nd round and I'm not sure Mayock was hyping when he said this is the next Lavonte David. He's also been called a poor man's Brian Urlacher..lol. I guess we'll find out.
3(70).
Nelson Agholor,
WR, USC
(6-1, 190)
"Young Reggie Wayne", come on down. No really, I liked the value here but I did have my eye on a couple of lineman that went a few slots before him. Still, this guy is a very good all-around WR who runs nice routes, catches the ball with his hands, was extremely productive in a pro-style offense in a major conference. A lot of people are projecting him to go in the 2nd round. Daniel Jeramiah has him ranked 39th. The Jets are going to drop Harvin and his outsized contract, so there's a place for a guy with Agbohor's skill-set.
4(101)
Josue Matias,
OG, Florida State
(6-6, 331 lbs)
I was pretty thrilled that he was there in the 4th. This man is huge, quick for his size and a smooth on his feet. He can gobble up defenders The Jets need o-line help and I think Matias could help them fairly early on. I almost took Humphries here because he also has nice upside, but decided Matias was still better value overall. It's always fun to see how these things pan out. I've seen Matias ranked all the way up to the early-mid 2nd round with whispers of him going at the end of the 1st (doubt that) but in any case, the value and need matched well for the 101st pick. The combine will help him also, I think.
Don't be surprised if this guy starts right away for New York.