Day Two Draft Thoughts[Note: My full analysis of the Jets offseason, including their free agent signings, their player cuts, and their draft, will be posted in the near future.]
The Jets picked up this morning where they left off last night, reaching for a player who would have lasted longer when they selected Missouri QB Brad Smith. Smith likely will try to convert to wide receiver, and is a tremendous athlete, but most draft experts saw him as a later round pick or a player who would go undrafted.
I like the Jets other fourth round pick, the one obtained as compensation for Herm Edwards. The Jets selected running back Leon Washington. Washington stands less than 5'8 and has had injury problems, but he's strong and speedy. He sort of reminds me of Leon Johnson, who was a solid player for the Jets in 1997 and 1998 before blowing out his knee on opening week of the 1999 season.
The Washington pick could mean that the Jets will release Derrick Blaylock, who received a large contract last offseason, and hardly touched the ball before sustaining a season ending injury.
In the fifth round, the Jets picked tight end Jason Pociask, another player who many projected as a 7th rounder, or an undrafted free agent. Pociask doesn't have much when it comes to receiving skills, but he's a solid blocker, and could be used as a second tight end in short yardage running situations, in which the Jets have struggled. It will be interesting to see whether Pociask's arrival will mean the departure of Doug Jolley, another 2005 offseason acquisition by ex-GM Terry Bradway.
The Jets went back to defense in the sixth and seventh rounds, with cornerback Drew Coleman and defensive tackle Titus Adams. Coleman has good speed, but little else. Adams has had success as a run defender, and could play nose tackle in run situations. My guess is that Adams is more likely to make the 2006 roster than Coleman.
It's hard to get too excited or upset about second day picks. That said, Smith has upside but is a project and was drafted too high, while Coleman is a longshot to make the team. Washington, Pociask and Adams will all have a chance to become contributors.
posted on 4/30/2006
