OT or WR in First Round?

[Namath12]

I would take the offensive tackle in the first round and here’s why. First of all, let’s assume , for the sake of discussion that the Jets have similar grades on the 4 most prominent tackles. Let’s say that the grades are 94,94,93,92. Let’s also assume that Josephs,who is projected for late in the first round is rated 89. In my scenario, the next highest OT on their board is rated 84. The drop-off to the next tier of tackles is 80 and below.

At wide receiver, I am assuming that the three elite receivers are graded 94,93,92. However, the receivers projected to go in the second round have a grade ranging from 89-85.

If we look at this as a 2-round package, it makes sense to take the tackle in the first round. Let’s say that we get the tackle rated 93 and then draft a receiver rated 87 in the middle of the second round. The point total would be 180. Conversely, if we take the best receiver, rated 94 and a tackle rated 78 in the second round, the total comes to 172.

I made up these numbers, but what do you think of the concept? This is all about the depth at WR in this class and the big drop-off at OTs. I know people will bitch if we don’t get Sam a weapon in round 1, but look at the big picture. If all of the elite tackles are gone, or if only two are deemed a good scheme fit and they are gone, by all means, take one of the top receivers. Otherwise, I say take the tackle first.

 

[Oraelo]

A good O- line can help mediocre receivers look better when the QB has time to get them the ball.
I’ll take the tackle every time.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Depends on the OL. I would rather have the top WR prospect than the 4th or 5th OT that doesn't fit the system. I think Douglas has done well to solidify the OL and it should be way better.

 

[SackExchange]

They have the flexibility of both, and seeing where the draft falls.

The signing of Fant, while not being flashy, gave them that flexibility. They could:

1. Draft a RT first round (Wills, Wirfs) and keep Fant at LT.
2. Draft a LT first round (Thomas) and shift Fant to RT.
3. Draft a potential LT first round or later (Becton), keep Fant at LT and let Becton play 1-3 years at RT, then shift Becton to LT.
4, Draft a WR first round and choose an OT (likely starting at RT) in a later round.

This is maximum flexibility. I would go OT first round, whether RT or LT, as long as one of the four falls to you. Part of the reason I would do that is this draft is so deep at WR. You can get first round talent in the second, or first/second round talent in the third.

The Fant signing has made all this possible. They can go OT on either side or WR, or even CB or edge, in the first because of the Fant signing.

 

[SackExchange]

A good O- line can help mediocre receivers look better when the QB has time to get them the ball.
I’ll take the tackle every time.

This is a good point. A good OL can make a QB look better. Rarely can a good QB make an OL look better, unless he has a ridiculously fast release. On the other hand, a good QB can make WRs look better. It's a rare WR that can make a QB look better.

 

[Namath12]

Sack, have you studied the top OL candidates? If so, how do you rank them in terms of best fit for our. scheme?

 

[Namath12]

To amplify my philosophy, when asking myself who is going to win a game, the first question I ask myself is which team’s QB will have more time to throw.

 

[Gramoah]

If we can get one of the top 5 OTs we should. Otherwise I'd take the best WR available. Edge rusher or corner come # 3 on my list and I justify that by saying that Williams is much better at scheming for the lack of edge rusher or good corners than Gase will ever be at scheming to compensate for a weak offense.

 

[SackExchange]

Sack, have you studied the top OL candidates? If so, how do you rank them in terms of best fit for our. scheme?

I would go with Thomas as my top. For one, he is technically the best blocker of the four. He seems to have fallen out of favor because these other guys came into the combine and put up freakish numbers. But I go by film and how good a player they are over their combine stats. After all, Vernon Gholston was a combine monster, too, and we know how that turned out.

From there, I am torn. Wirfs really fits what the Jets have been doing in terms of scheme and OL personnel. He's quick. But he also has almost no true experience at LT. His experience is at RT. Becton is incredible for his size, and he does have legit LT credentials. So in that sense, Wirfs is a better scheme fit, Becton is a better longterm personnel fit.

Wills is solid, and could slide right into RT the way Thomas could at LT. I rate Thomas higher than Wills because although they are similar, with a right-handed QB like Sam, that LT spot is essential. Also, I think Thomas has the absolute best technique of the four.

So there you have it:

Thomas
Wirfs/Becton
Wills

Any of the four, though, and I would be happy. They are all top-11 pick OT material.

 

[Old#15]

If we go OT in first round, does it have to be one of the 'top 4'? I say no under a trade down scenario, because getting Jackson or Jones plus some draft capital wouldn't be such a bad thing in my mind. I leave the real evaluation to the experts, but some of them are saying that Jackson may be potentially the best pass blocker of the bunch and that Jones is not that far behind him. Both Jones and Jackson are also good scheme fits, so there is that as well.
Sack - I would like your input on this as you've actually played OL, not like most of us who get our opinions based on what we read .

 

[Namath12]

Interesting question Old#15. I will add Ezra Cleveland as another possible OT and look forward to Sack’s reply.
I had been thinking more along the lines of giving up one of our third round picks to move up to get a wide receiver that we really like in the second round.

 

[Old#15]

Interesting question Old#15. I will add Ezra Cleveland as another possible OT and look forward to Sack’s reply.
I had been thinking more along the lines of giving up one of our third round picks to move up to get a wide receiver that we really like in the second round.

You're right about Cleveland if you consider his combine measurables. For a zone blocking scheme someone who can run a 4.93 40 and short shuttle at 4.46 is athletically gifted enough to be effective in space. I read that he's a guy who will need some weight-room work, but put up 30 reps of 225, perhaps they are talking about functional strength. Could be available on day 2 and would be very good value there.

 

[SackExchange]

If we go OT in first round, does it have to be one of the 'top 4'? I say no under a trade down scenario, because getting Jackson or Jones plus some draft capital wouldn't be such a bad thing in my mind. I leave the real evaluation to the experts, but some of them are saying that Jackson may be potentially the best pass blocker of the bunch and that Jones is not that far behind him. Both Jones and Jackson are also good scheme fits, so there is that as well.
Sack - I would like your input on this as you've actually played OL, not like most of us who get our opinions based on what we read .

I do like Jackson a lot, and thought he would have been more hyped. He's been forgotten with all the spotlight on the big four.

Jackson might not merit 11th overall. But later in the first with a trade down? Absolutely. And I see him a bit as Thomas lite - not in size, but he's a really good blocker. Some have questioned whether he will be a RT in the NFL, but I very much think he's a LT. He can handle the edge very well. And I love his feet. The other possible tackle I could see late first is MAYBE the kid from Houston, Jones. I don't love Jones' feet, and I'm not sure whether he could handle the left side, but he does have experience in a zone scheme. On pure talent, I like Jackson better, and see him as the closest to the big four.

 

[SackExchange]

Interesting question Old#15. I will add Ezra Cleveland as another possible OT and look forward to Sack’s reply.
I had been thinking more along the lines of giving up one of our third round picks to move up to get a wide receiver that we really like in the second round.

I like Ezra Cleveland. Taking him would mean putting him in competition for the RT spot against Edoga. I would not put him at LT right away, not by any stretch. But I think he might be able to get there at some point, based on his athleticism.

 

[cheaterhater]

To amplify my philosophy, when asking myself who is going to win a game, the first question I ask myself is which team’s QB will have more time to throw.

absolutely the truth

 

[cheaterhater]

OLINE. tom brady is not tom brady without his. I will be very unhappy if our first pick isnt oline

 

[Namath12]

I like Ezra Cleveland. Taking him would mean putting him in competition for the RT spot against Edoga. I would not put him at LT right away, not by any stretch. But I think he might be able to get there at some point, based on his athleticism.

Thanks, Sack. I was not at all impressed by Edoga last year. Your view?

 

[beresford]

It would take a real run on O-linemen for me not to go there with our #1 pick. As long as the guy is a 1st round talent and a starter at tackle, I wouldn't worry about losing a few spots of 'value'. It's not about having the team with the highest total value, it's about having the most complete team.

 

[LIJETFAN]

Great point beresford - it's about the most complete team. I would like an o-lineman with the first pick. They could trade back if the player they want isn't there. I'd be fine with a WR too - as long as they get an impact player. O-line is my first choice given the depth in this receiver class. CB would be my third choice, but I'm tired of taking defensive players in the first round. We need talent on offense desperately.

 

[Old#15]

Great point beresford - it's about the most complete team. I would like an o-lineman with the first pick. They could trade back if the player they want isn't there. I'd be fine with a WR too - as long as they get an impact player. O-line is my first choice given the depth in this receiver class. CB would be my third choice, but I'm tired of taking defensive players in the first round. We need talent on offense desperately.

Hard to disagree with any of that. However, I was listening to a college scout who was ranking players and he said that only two defensive players (Okudah and Simmons) are worthy of the #11 pick and neither will be available. To me there are two choices: one of the top 4 OTs; or trade down to the 20s and grab either Jackson, Jones or Cleveland. The trade down is very appealing particularly if it means an additional #2 or early
#3. Plus, the 3 OTs I mentioned are all high ceiling talents, yet perhaps not as polished as the top 4. With two #2s and two #3s we can fill some of the many holes on this roster.