Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
One year later, the Idzik 12 still has the look of a bad NFL draft.
It was supposed to be a watershed draft for the New York Jets, a 12-player haul that would replenish an eroded talent base, but the grim reality is that only one of the 12 picks will be a starter in 2015 and only two, maybe three are locks to make the team. Eight remain on the roster.
It's one of the reasons why John Idzik is working in Jacksonville and why the Jets have a new front office and scouting department.
Anyway, let's take a look at the Idzik 12. Warning -- This review contains graphic material that could be harmful to impressionable fans:
Safety Calvin Pryor (No. 1 pick, 18th overall)-- He will start at strong safety, his natural position, and that should mean better results. Because of an ill-conceived secondary, he was forced last season to play 523 snaps at free safety, only 88 at strong safety, according to ESPN Stats & Information -- and he looked uncomfortable.
Tight end Jace Amaro (No. 2, 49th) -- The new coaching staff won't try to make him something he's not. He'll be an H-Back, not a traditional, in-line tight end. Rex Ryan's least favorite former player has a lot to prove. With six drops in only 53 targets, he had the second-highest drop percentage in the league.
Cornerback Dexter McDougle (No. 3, 80th) -- He has missed almost two full seasons because of injuries, so we're talking about some serious rust. He was only recently cleared for team drills. McDougle has some talent, but cornerback is a crowded position. At best, he could be the No. 4 corner.
Wide receiver Jalen Saunders (No. 4, 104th) -- He'll be remembered as one of the Jets' worst picks in recent memory. He showed nothing as a receiver, muffed a couple of punts, annoyed the coaches with his attitude and was released only a month into the season. He's currently with the New Orleans Saints.
Wide receiver Shaquelle Evans (No. 4a, 115th) -- After missing last season due to shoulder surgery, a healthy Evans has flashed some potential on the practice field. Problem is, he'll be buried on a crowded depth chart in training camp and may not get many chances.
Guard Dakota Dozier (No. 4b, 137th) -- He was an overdrafted, small-school player who basically took a rookie red-shirt season. The Jets have a lot of bodies at guard, so they're giving Dozier some reps at center. Versatility could be his meal ticket. Right now, he's facing an uphill battle to make the team.
Linebacker Jeremiah George (No. 5, 154th) -- Idzik drafted a 5-foot-11 linebacker for a coach (Ryan) who likes big linebackers. And people wonder why we say there was a disconnect between the two men. Fittingly, George plays for Idzik's current employer, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cornerback Brandon Dixon (No. 6, 195th) -- This was a nice, late-round find, but they cut him in training camp and he landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he averaged 10 snaps per game. He probably would've started for the cornerback-needy Jets.
Wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (No. 6a, 209th) -- He looks the part, all right. He's a chiseled 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, but he's too inconsistent to be considered a serious threat to crack the top five at receiver. He's getting a lot of work, which can only help. He'll have to make a significant jump in training camp to make the team.
Linebacker IK Enemkpali (No. 6b, 210th) -- Like many of his fellow Class of '14 teammates, Enemkpali will need to do something in training camp to make him stand out from the more experienced competition at his position. Advice: Kick butt on special teams.
Quarterback Tajh Boyd (No. 6c, 213th) -- This was a Rex Ryan special, proof he should stick to evaluating defensive players. Boyd was painful to watch, got cut and ended up in the FXFL. Currently, he's hanging by a thread on the bottom of the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster.
Linebacker Trevor Reilly (No. 7, 233rd) -- Finally, a good draft pick. Reilly is a smart, hard-nosed player who made a mark on special teams. Every team needs a couple of guys like Reilly, who is backing up Calvin Pace at the strong-outside position.
One year later, the Idzik 12 still has the look of a bad NFL draft.
It was supposed to be a watershed draft for the New York Jets, a 12-player haul that would replenish an eroded talent base, but the grim reality is that only one of the 12 picks will be a starter in 2015 and only two, maybe three are locks to make the team. Eight remain on the roster.
It's one of the reasons why John Idzik is working in Jacksonville and why the Jets have a new front office and scouting department.
Anyway, let's take a look at the Idzik 12. Warning -- This review contains graphic material that could be harmful to impressionable fans:
Safety Calvin Pryor (No. 1 pick, 18th overall)-- He will start at strong safety, his natural position, and that should mean better results. Because of an ill-conceived secondary, he was forced last season to play 523 snaps at free safety, only 88 at strong safety, according to ESPN Stats & Information -- and he looked uncomfortable.
Tight end Jace Amaro (No. 2, 49th) -- The new coaching staff won't try to make him something he's not. He'll be an H-Back, not a traditional, in-line tight end. Rex Ryan's least favorite former player has a lot to prove. With six drops in only 53 targets, he had the second-highest drop percentage in the league.
Cornerback Dexter McDougle (No. 3, 80th) -- He has missed almost two full seasons because of injuries, so we're talking about some serious rust. He was only recently cleared for team drills. McDougle has some talent, but cornerback is a crowded position. At best, he could be the No. 4 corner.
Wide receiver Jalen Saunders (No. 4, 104th) -- He'll be remembered as one of the Jets' worst picks in recent memory. He showed nothing as a receiver, muffed a couple of punts, annoyed the coaches with his attitude and was released only a month into the season. He's currently with the New Orleans Saints.
Wide receiver Shaquelle Evans (No. 4a, 115th) -- After missing last season due to shoulder surgery, a healthy Evans has flashed some potential on the practice field. Problem is, he'll be buried on a crowded depth chart in training camp and may not get many chances.
Guard Dakota Dozier (No. 4b, 137th) -- He was an overdrafted, small-school player who basically took a rookie red-shirt season. The Jets have a lot of bodies at guard, so they're giving Dozier some reps at center. Versatility could be his meal ticket. Right now, he's facing an uphill battle to make the team.
Linebacker Jeremiah George (No. 5, 154th) -- Idzik drafted a 5-foot-11 linebacker for a coach (Ryan) who likes big linebackers. And people wonder why we say there was a disconnect between the two men. Fittingly, George plays for Idzik's current employer, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cornerback Brandon Dixon (No. 6, 195th) -- This was a nice, late-round find, but they cut him in training camp and he landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he averaged 10 snaps per game. He probably would've started for the cornerback-needy Jets.
Wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (No. 6a, 209th) -- He looks the part, all right. He's a chiseled 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, but he's too inconsistent to be considered a serious threat to crack the top five at receiver. He's getting a lot of work, which can only help. He'll have to make a significant jump in training camp to make the team.
Linebacker IK Enemkpali (No. 6b, 210th) -- Like many of his fellow Class of '14 teammates, Enemkpali will need to do something in training camp to make him stand out from the more experienced competition at his position. Advice: Kick butt on special teams.
Quarterback Tajh Boyd (No. 6c, 213th) -- This was a Rex Ryan special, proof he should stick to evaluating defensive players. Boyd was painful to watch, got cut and ended up in the FXFL. Currently, he's hanging by a thread on the bottom of the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster.
Linebacker Trevor Reilly (No. 7, 233rd) -- Finally, a good draft pick. Reilly is a smart, hard-nosed player who made a mark on special teams. Every team needs a couple of guys like Reilly, who is backing up Calvin Pace at the strong-outside position.
