I'm in agreement with the Jets philosophy that no matter how good a player he might be, you don't pay a corner back $16,000,000 a year. I'm shocked that Revis took no guaranteed money in his deal. There is no way he plays out that contract. Right now Tampa Bay can afford that luxury because most of their contributing pieces are still on their first contract. When Doug Martin, Lavonte David, Mike Williams, Mark Barron and Mason Foster (etc.) start needing new contracts, on top of deciding whether or not to give Josh Freeman big money, freeing up Revis' money as he gets to 30 years old is going to start looking more and more like a good solution to those problems.
I'm also tired of hearing that the Jets could have offered the same deal with no guaranteed money. What would have been the point? The Jets aren't Darrelle Revis away from a Super Bowl. Why pay him 16 million a year if the they are trying to rebuild? Having two picks in the top half of the first round is a great opportunity to accelerate the rebuilding process a little.
One thing I'm not going to miss about Darrelle Revis is the constant threat of holding out and accusing everyone of lying to him. Every off-season (including this one) has been exhausting as fan. And he's going around saying the Jets never even tried to offer him a contract. If his agents made it clear that they weren't budging on 16 million a year and the Jets are philosophically opposed to paying a CB that type of money, why should he have expected them to? And as far as the Jets telling Revis that they planned on him being a Jet this year is all part of the business. The Jets had little to no leverage to begin with, if Idzek tells Revis that they have every intention of trading him the they lose even what little they had. He needs to stop taking the business side of football so personally. Especially since somewhere someone always is willing to pay him. It's not like he's ever been getting ripped off. Out of college, after his holdout, the Jets paid him above slot.
After all the bad press the Jets get, it is very important they don't mess up this draft. Especially the first round. That's why, although it's not the sexy thing to do, I play it super safe. I'm worried that most mocks have the Jets taking Barkevious Mingo at 9. He's undersized and only managed 4.5 sacks his last year in college. That sounds like too much bust potential for me. I'm not interested in Jarvis Jones at 13 either. Normally I'm all about the guy who produces over the guy with measurables but if I'm the Jets I can't risk taking a guy with Spinal Stenosis. It has already cut short a few careers already and Jones is already going to be a 24 year old rookie. Too risky. I think with one of the two picks they need to take one of the guards, Jonathan Cooper or Chance Warmack. Putting one of those on a line with Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson in their prime would be a can't miss pick. I also would like for the Jets to immediately replace Revis. Granted, Dee Milliner can't replace Revis but I've been very disappointed in Kyle Wilson's development and the thought of him lining up as the other starting CB does scare me a little. Chances are he's not around by the 9th pick but if he is, I think they have to grab him.
I know everyone says the Jets need a pass rusher in this draft. I don't disagree but their situation cries out for just taking the best player available. It'd be nice if it Dion Jordan or Ezekiel Ansah fell down to them but other than those guys I'd stay away from a pass rusher in the first round.
Some other guys I wouldn't mind seeing the Jets take later:
-Miguel Maysonet, RB, Stony Brook
Being a Long Islander, having a local guy on the Jets would be fun. And they do need another RB.
-Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
I love Lattimore. I don't think I'd take him before the 4th round but based on who he is, and how hard he works, someone will take a chance on him somewhere in the 3rd.
-Denard Robinson, ATH, Michigan
Granted, he has little experience as a WR but instead of taking Tavon Austin at 9 overall, why not take a chance on a play maker in the 4th or 5th round. **Added bonus, if Rex still believes in the Wildcat, this guy is ideal.
**I'm only partially kidding
-Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State
The Jets are in dire need of safeties. They signed Dawan Landry who is more of an in the box safety and while I really can't speak to Thomas' coverage skills on tape, I value production and he had 8 picks last year
I agree that Mingo is abit of a gamble but the Jets need a pass rusher desperately and he is worth the gamble. However they can't go wrong if they choose one of the guards as you say. If they take a guard at 9 then they need to take Mingo or the FS Vaccaro at 13. They need a FS as bad as any other position. I'd stay away from Milliner, 4 or 5 surgeries already!!! Grab a CB with the second round pick, Hayden or Trufant will do. Think of this as your secondary: Cromartie and Hayden or Trufant at the corners and Vaccaro and Landry at safties. Wilson in the nickle package. Not too shabby.
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