New York Jets 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, The Fit
By Ben Natan
Dec 28, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Calvin Pryor (25) waves his arms to the crowd in the fourth quarter as theCardinals beat the Miami Hurricanes 36-9 to win the Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
5’11”, 207 LBs.
The Player
Calvin Pryor is an athletic safety who has flashed the ability to impact all over the field and he also has a propensity to take a ball carrier’s head off. His aggressive style really hurts him as he is constantly missing tackles, taking himself out of the play, taking false steps in coverage or drawing a flag. He is not very aware on the field and is often a liability both in coverage and in run support. That being said, there are plenty of workable tools for Rex Ryan to try and use.
The Pick
This is a huge reach and there is no way of getting around that. There were plenty of very good defensive backs on the board that the Jets passed over to select Pryor. There were wide receivers and pass rushers galore who all filled a need at much better value. I am very shocked that the Jets passed on Ha Ha Clinton Dix and Jimmie Ward to take Pryor and I think that is a decision they regret.
The Fit
Pryor does fill a need and could possibly be handed the starting job due to a relatively bare safety group, but I am not sure how long he holds onto that job.
Jace Amaro, TE, TTU
6’5″, 265
The Player
Jace Amaro is a walking mismatch. He has great size and good athletic ability with soft hands. He has a strong lower body and fights for yards after the catch. However, I am concerned that he is not very good working in traffic and he is not a very good route runner. Those are both very fixable though and I like his tools.
The Pick
The Jets got very good value for a guy like Amaro. I am not as high on him on some, but a guy with his tools and skill set is valued in this league.
The Fit
The Jets’ pass catching group was pretty bare a few months ago and with the addition of Amaro, the corps gets a huge boost. he is basically a huge slot receiver who can work underneath and in the redzone. He has some mental growth to make, but his potential in this offense is very high.
Dexter McDougle, CB, Maryland
5’1o”, 195 lbs.
The Player
McDougle is an athletic corner who is very physical, can tackle and plays the ball very well. His size isn’t ideal and had a bad injury during the year, but if he fully recovered, the Jets got themselves a damn good corner.
The Pick
Like I said, I think that McDougle is a steal if he is healthy. That is a big if though.
The Fit
If McDougle is healthy, I believe he can start day one on the outside of that defense. He is that kind of player.
Jalen Saunders, WR, Oklahoma
5’9″, 165″
The Player
Saunders is a very quick twitch player who runs great routes, has soft hands, makes circus catches and has speed to burn. His size is a little worrying, but he is a tough player who can work underneath and pick up tough yards. Could be a slot demon.
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jalen Saunders (8) is tackled from behind by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (6) as he carries the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
The Pick
Love his value this late in the draft. I think Saunders is a very good receiver and the Jets snagged a major position of need.
The Fit
With the Jets depth at receiver, Saunders can start day one as the slot receiver. He is a smart player who can become a young QB’s best friend and can help Geno Smith develop.
Shaq Evans, WR, UCLA
6’1″, 213 lbs.
The Player
Shaq is a tough and smart player who has very good hands and does a great job of running his routes. He has solid speed and is a tough runner, but is not overly creative after the catch. Also has some drop issues but those are mostly a concentration issue.
The Pick
Once again, the Jets got a very solid wide receiver at a good value. Geno Smith is smiling right now.
The Fit
Shaq is a guy I like moving around the formation as he has the skill set to do so. He has the speed to play on the outside, but can certainly work underneath for Geno. I like the Jets adding a lot of versatile receivers.
Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman
6’4″, 313
The Player
Dozier is very raw all around in his technique, but this guy is just a freakishly strong human being. Won in college with raw athletic ability. If the Jets can clean his tech up, he could start sooner than later.
The Pick
Dozier is a great athlete and I think this is a good spot for him.
The Fit
Dozier has a lot of tools that need to be developed, but I like his overall skill set. I am not sure he starts day one, but given time I think he turns into a high level starter.
Jeremiah George, ILB, Iowa State
5’11”, 234 lbs.
The Player
George is a very strong, high motor player who flies all over the field in the running game. However, he is not a great athlete, gets exposed in coverage a lot and his length really hurst him sometimes when taking on blocks.
The Pick
I think this is a massive reach. George is a fairly limited player.
The Fit
Though George is limited, he comes into a good situation where the defensive line is stacked to the point where he can be kept clean and flow to the ball as he did so well in college. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a fairly productive rookie season despite his shortcomings.
Brandon Dixon, CB, Northwest Missouri St.
5’11”, 203 lbs.
The Player
Very athletic and well built corner who is a fighter in coverage and has the ability to lay the boom. He is not a very good tackler, but he is a high effort player. He needs to improve playing the ball.
The Pick
Rex Ryan gets a high upside corner in the later rounds? I can dig it!
The Fit
Probably not going to see a lot of starting time out of the gate, but he has very intriguing long term potential.
Quincy Enunwa, WR, Nebraska
6’2″, 225 lbs
The Player
Great frame and athletic ability and can pick up yards after the catch. He has hard hands though. They are very bad. A lot of potential.
The Pick
Enunwa is a project player, but I like a lot of his tools, so spending a later pick on him is not egregious. Would have preferred a guy like Michael Campanaro who can catch 100 passes tomorrow.
The Fit
The Jets are now loaded at pass catcher which means Enunwa doesn’t have to start which is ideal for him. Likely a stash player for the Jets.
IK Enemkpali, DE, LATech
6’1″, 260 lbs.
The Player
IK was a guy I viewed as a non prospect. High motor, but poor instincts, hand usage, length and strength.
The Pick
A guy I don’t really like, I think this was a wasted pick.
The Fit
Not where IK fits in Rex’s defense. Maybe a rotational guy, but at the very most he is a guy you put on special teams and ask him to hit something.
Dec 31, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) rolls out on a pass play in the second half against the LSU Tigers in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Clemson won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
6’1″, 221
The Player
Boyd is a tough QB with a good downfield arm and good mobility. He can throw a nice ball when his footwork is clean, which is not often. Gets happy feet a lot in the pocket due to some horrible line play at Clemson. Boyd wants to make plays and often leads to poor decisions.
The Pick
There a lot of things to like about Boyd as a late round guy. He is a smart, hard working guy with upside and can contribute int he QB room. I like this pick.
The Fit
Long term, Boyd projects to being a very good back up QB who can help push Geno in practice. This a guy a lot of people thought could be a starter in the NFL a year ago. Still has that potential.
Trevor Reilly, OLB, Utah
6’5″, 245 LBs.
The Player
Relly is an athletic pass rusher with very good size and length. He is probably maxed out at this point, but he can be a very good role player.
The Pick
Athletic pass rushers in the 7th round? Sign me up.
The Fit
Rex Ryan has done a good job of manufacturing edge production (See: Calvin Pace, 2013), but having an athletic, young role player who can get better though technique improvement on a defensive line upgrades the unit as a whole.
Oct 12, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive end Trevor Reilly (9) reacts during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah defeated Stanford 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports