Monday, April 30, 2012

AFC East Daily's grading of the Jets' 2012 draft

The Jets drafted four defensive players and four offensives player in 2012. Here's their final draft list and our grades:

1st round (16th overall) – Quinton Coples (DE), North Carolina
2nd round (43rd overall) – Stephen Hill (WR), Georgia Tech
3rd round (77th overall) – Demario Davis (OLB), Arkansas State
6th round (187th overall) – Josh Bush (S), Wake Forest
6th round (202nd overall) – Terrance Ganaway (RB), Baylor
6th round (203rd overall) – Robert T. Griffin (G), Baylor
7th round (242nd overall) – Antonio Allen (SS), South Carolina
7th round (244th overall) – Jordan White (WR), Western Michigan

Nick's grade: B

The Jets will never defer from a high-risk, high-reward approach to anything and everything as long as coach Rex Ryan, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and owner Woody Johnson are working together, so their drafting defensive end Quinton Coples and receiver Stephen Hill shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Ryan knows defensive line, so he certainly has a very vivid idea of how Coples fits into his scheme. Hill is one of the better downfield-blocking receivers in the 2012 class, so acquiring him, in addition to 240-pound running back Terrance Ganaway, spells ground-and-pound. Hill can also make the tough catch, and linebacker Demario Davis and safety Josh Bush were solid additions to the defense.
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Dan's grade: B

New York, like Buffalo, was proficient at filling the gaps it had in its roster. The Jets bolstered the safety position with two additions, an area they struggled with after Jim Leonhard went down late in the season. They filled needs at outside linebacker and defensive end as well, although many scratched their heads over the Quinton Coples pick with Melvin Ingram still on the board.

Their wide receiver pick was a bit suspect as well, with Stephen Hill untested as a reliable route-runner despite his blocking ability and speediness. Terrance Ganaway is a beast of a running back and should mold well with the Jets' ground-and-pound style.

I'll give them a little extra-credit, only because when the Jets gamble on picks, it typically works out, and I think Coples will be a backfield menace for teams in the near future.
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Sean's grade: C

On the other side of the spectrum from the Bills, the Jets rolled the dice on a couple top picks with major concerns. First-round pick defensive end Quinton Coples flashed dominance at North Carolina and has an unquestionable high ceiling but drew concerns about motivation and commitment. The Jets used their second-round pick on receiver Stephen Hill, who, like Coples, has elite measurables but caught very few passes in Georgia Tech's triple-option offense.

The rest of New York's picks were used on solid players who will strengthen positions of need, but this Jets draft class will hinge on the two high-risk, high-reward picks in the early rounds.
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Sam's grade: B-

Depending on how the Jets use their picks, this grade could certainly change for the better or worse. Recent indicators point to quarterback Tim Tebow moving into a heavy option role under offensive coordinator Tony Sparano while keeping current starter Mark Sanchez grounded, as they drafted a bruising running back (who took handoffs from Robert Griffin III) and a solid downfield blocking receiver who played in the triple-option while not adding pass-protection help. Time will tell.

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