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" Battle for No. 1 pick : Raiders, Jags, Bucs, Jets, Titans in running " ~ ~ ~


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Battle for No. 1 pick : Raiders, Jags, Bucs, Jets, Titans in running

 

NFL Nation reporters covering teams in contention for the top pick in the 2015 draft break down their team's top need :

Oakland Raiders (0-9) | Analysis : With the Raiders on the fast track to joining the 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16) and 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-14) as the lone teams to go through a season winless and, thus, secure that No. 1 overall pick, Oakland's needs are countless -- too many to address with a singular selection. Besides, the Raiders seem to have their franchise quarterback in Derek Carr and a playmaker on defense in linebacker Khalil Mack. The Raiders should flip that top pick in a trade to get more pieces as they continue their rebuild, whether it be in Oakland, San Antonio, Los Angeles or parts unknown. -- Paul Gutierrez

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) | Analysis : It might seem odd to list pass-rusher as the Jaguars' biggest draft need with the team being tied for the fourth-most sacks this season through 10 games (28), but it goes beyond numbers. Gus Bradley's defense is predicated on getting pressure with just four rushers and rarely having to blitz. Having an elite rusher obviously makes that easier, and the Jaguars don't have that kind of player right now. The Jaguars haven't had a player finish with double-digit sacks since 2006. Finding a rusher capable of doing that is their top need. -- Michael DiRocco

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8) | Analysis : With the combination of Josh McCown and Mike Glennon at quarterback, the Bucs rank 29th in total offense and have scored only 47 points in the first half. The offense has been unable to find any rhythm most of the season. McCown is 35 years old and not a long-term answer. The Bucs have benched Glennon twice. If the Bucs end up with the No. 1 pick, they would have to consider a quarterback. You don't get many shots at a franchise quarterback, and the Bucs have never really had one. They could change that if they could land Oregon's Marcus Mariota or Florida State's Jameis Winston. -- Pat Yasinskas

bigcry.gif New York Jets (2-8) | Analysis : The Geno Smith experiment is over. After two disappointing seasons, the Jets once again will go into the draft looking for a quarterback of the future. Over the past two seasons, Smith's QBR is 32.9, ahead of only Jacksonville's Chad Henne among starters. If the Jets end up with a top-five pick, they will be linked to Mariota and Winston. Unless they're picking first or second, they'd probably have to make a blockbuster trade to move up for Mariota. Winston's off-the-field baggage would force the Jets to think long and hard about whether he could succeed in a huge market such as New York. Until they find stability at the quarterback position -- the undoing of the Rex Ryan regime -- the Jets will never be a consistent winner. -- Rich Cimini

Tennessee Titans (2-7) | Analysis : Even if Zach Mettenberger gives the Titans big cause for hope going forward, the team will probably have to consider the top quarterbacks in the draft. But there is a glaring issue on defense at outside linebacker, where the team needs a consistent threat from the edge. Just five of the team's 24 sacks have come from outside linebackers in the new 3-4 scheme. -- Paul Kuharsky

Washington Redskins (3-6) | Analysis : The Redskins' defense needs a big-time playmaker, and in a 3-4 defense, that typically means an outside linebacker. Brian Orakpo is a free agent after this season, but he's coming off a torn pectoral, not to mention recording only half a sack in his seven starts and only one interception and six forced fumbles in his seven seasons. A lot of this will depend on rookie linebacker Trent Murphy's development over the final seven weeks; the Redskins need to figure out if he can be a playmaker. Washington has created only eight turnovers this season and 34 in the past two (24th in the NFL). They like to blitz -- 31 of their 59 sacks the past two years have come when they do -- partly because they're not pressuring enough with their front four. But a young stud rusher would allow them to be more effective with the blitz or allow them to play more in coverage. They could also look at a defensive back, a strong area of need, though no defensive back has gone No. 1 since 1956. -- John Keim

St. Louis Rams (3-6) | Analysis : Sam Bradford is coming off two season-ending ACL injuries and is due to count $16.58 million against the salary cap in 2015. Austin Davis has proved capable of handling backup chores, but his fourth-quarter struggles -- a QBR of 23.8, featuring four interceptions returned for touchdowns -- and a knack for getting caught with his eyes on the pass rush probably means he isn't the long-term answer. Bradford is the only quarterback the Rams have selected in the first round since they moved to St. Louis in 1995, but if the Rams end up with the top pick again, it'll be time to make it two. -- Nick Wagoner

Chicago Bears (3-6) | Analysis : Perhaps quarterback should rank higher among this team's draft priorities given that Jay Cutler will be 32 at the start of 2015 and hasn't provided enough evidence (league-high 15 turnovers in nine games, leading to a total of 65 points by opponents) to convince the Bears he's worth the investment. The problem? Cutler's contract handcuffs the organization for the next couple of years. Now, the Bears could still draft a young quarterback to groom behind Cutler, and if they find one they like, the club should select him. -- Michael C. Wright

Atlanta Falcons (3-6) | Analysis : It's no secret the Falcons have to find a way to beef up their pass rush for the 2015 season. They have hovered near the bottom of the league in terms of generating pressure throughout this season and stand 31st in sacks per pass play and 31st in total sacks with 11. Rather than address the need for a pass-rusher in free agency, the Falcons went out a signed two run-stuffers in Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson, who have underwhelmed. Then, the Falcons were unable to secure a pass-rusher in the 2014 draft after failing to trade up for Dee Ford (Kansas City). Nebraska's Randy Gregory should be high on their radar. -- Vaughn McClure

> http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/po...ans-in-running

 

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along the same lines...

bigcry.gif


~ ~ Jets draft analysis : Too early to say 'bust,' but it doesn't look promising

Embattled general manager John Idzik has made it clear his philosophy is to build through the draft. Based on the early returns of the 2014 class -- a.k.a. the Idzik 12 -- the project might take longer than the construction on the Cross Bronx Expressway.In last Sunday's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Jets had no rookie starters and only three contributing players from the draft. In fact, only five of the 12 picks remain on the active roster. It's too early to draw a conclusion, but the signs aren't promising. This could go down as one of the worst Jets drafts in recent memory.

The fallout already is being felt.

Because they failed to draft an immediate contributor at wide receiver, the Jets felt compelled to address the void by trading for Percy Harvin -- a cost of $7 million, not to mention a conditional sixth-round pick that could increase to a fourth-rounder.Because the draft failed to produce a quality cornerback (bad luck was a factor, with Dexter McDougle's season-ending knee injury), they probably will have to spend money in free agency for a corner, especially with Dee Milliner coming off his own season-ending injury.This was supposed to be a watershed draft for the Jets, the main piece in Idzik's rebuilding blueprint. Other than the top two picks, none of the players can be counted on to play major roles in 2015.

A bye-week examination of the Idzik 12 :

Round 1 -- Calvin Pryor, safety

Quite frankly, Pryor deserved to lose his starting job to Jaiquawn Jarrett. He hasn't produced (no impact plays) and he evidently still is learning what it takes to be a professional. He was late for multiple meetings, frustrating teammates and people in the organization. On the field, he doesn't play well in space and takes bad angles when playing the deep middle. He misses too many tackles (10, according to Pro Football Focus) for a guy who's supposed to be a big-time tackler. The Jets, attributing his struggles to typical growing pains, still believe he has a bright future.

Round 2 -- Jace Amaro, tight end

I still remember the day in training camp when he dropped a pass (one of many) and a defensive player yelled out, "Can't catch a cold!" Amaro still is having problems with drops (a total of four, according to ESPN Stats & Information), but he's having a nice rookie season. More of a possession receiver than a deep-seam threat, he leads rookie tight ends with 34 receptions. He doesn't have the explosiveness to be an elite, new-age tight end, but he still has a fairly high ceiling.

Round 3 -- Dexter McDougle, cornerback

He was considered a reach in the third round after missing most of the 2013 season with a busted-up shoulder. Sure enough, he got hurt again, blowing out a knee in a routine training-camp drill. Truth be told, he was off to a slow start in camp, but he still factored into the team's 2014 plans -- until the injury. They're counting on him for 2015, but he'll be coming off two lost seasons in a row.

Round 4 -- Jalen Saunders, wide receiver

This was a terrible pick, especially when you consider the depth of the 2014 receiving class. Drafting a receiver last spring was like shooting fish in a barrel -- and the Jets missed everything, including the barrel. The undersized Saunders was cut four weeks into the season after muffing two punts. At the time, he was the highest-drafted rookie to be released. When you're 5-foot-9, you'd better have magical moves -- and he doesn't. Currently, he's a member of the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad.

Round 4 -- Shaq Evans, wide receiver

After a drop-filled start to training camp, Evans injured his shoulder and underwent season-ending surgery. He was drafted three spots ahead of wide receiver Martavis Bryant (six touchdowns), who is lighting it up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Evans might not have the separation skills to succeed on this level, but he'll get another shot next summer in camp.

Round 4 -- Dakota Dozier, guard

This is basically a redshirt year for Dozier, who remains on the 53-man roster but has yet to dress for a game. A former college tackle, he's learning that the game is faster and more physical as a guard. The two guard jobs figure to be up for grabs next summer, with Dozier, Oday Aboushi and Brian Winters the leading candidates among the younger crowd.

Round 5 -- Jeremiah George, linebacker

This pick never made sense. He's only 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, too small to play linebacker in Rex Ryan's scheme. The Jets cut him in training camp, with the hope of adding him to the practice squad, but he bolted for the Jacksonville Jaguars. George has played in only two games (10 defensive snaps).

Round 6 -- Brandon Dixon, cornerback

The Jets probably wish they had him now, considering all their problems at corner. At least he'd be a live body. They cut him at the end of camp and he landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he has played in seven games (57 defensive snaps). Because of his small-school background, Dixon was deemed a major project by the Jets. In the end, another team decided to take on the challenge of developing him.

Round 6 -- Quincy Enunwa, wide receiver

He made more news off the field (a domestic violence charge that was dropped) than on it. Enunwa has more raw talent than Evans, especially with his size-speed numbers, but he's far from polished. Currently, he's on the Jets' practice squad.

Round 6 -- IK Enemkpali, linebacker

Another small-school project. Active for only two games, Enemkpali has played a total of six defensive snaps as a rush linebacker. He has some traits that catch your attention, mainly his movement skills, but he falls into the Dozier category -- a freshman redshirt.

Round 6 -- Tajh Boyd, quarterback

Boyd could go down as one of the worst draft picks in recent memory. Does the name Scotty McKnight ring a bell? Like McKnight, Boyd was a hand-picked choice of Ryan. Boyd was an interception machine in training camp and is now playing for the FXFL, the Fall Experimental Football League.

Round 7 -- Trevor Reilly, linebacker

Anytime you can find a contributor in the seventh round, it's good work. Reilly has played only 41 defensive snaps, but he's a stalwart on special teams. He probably doesn't have the athleticism to be a full-time player, but every roster needs guys like him.

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jet...look-promising

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Jets set to begin six-game journey that might have dead end

It’s back to work for the New York Jets.

After a four-day respite over the bye, they return to practice Monday -- the first day of the rest of the season. At 2-8, there will be no playoff talk, but a favorable schedule over the final six weeks -- they face only one elite quarterback -- could lead to a strong finish. Relatively speaking, of course.What would it mean to finish 5-11 or 6-10? It certainly would undermine the "Suck for the Duck" movement (Oregon’s Marcus Mariota). It also could complicate some of the decisions owner Woody Johnson has to make.

Would a 5-3 record over the second half be enough to save Rex Ryan? John Idzik? We will know in due time. For now, let’s take a quick look at the remaining games :

Week 12: at Buffalo Bills (5-5)

This much is certain: The Jets won’t make another visit to Dave & Buster’s on the eve of the game. They should be highly motivated after getting embarrassed by the Bills in Week 8, a six-turnover, 43-23 loss. Two things you won’t see in the rematch: Geno Smith and a throwback pass on a kickoff return. Ryan’s career record the week after the bye is 1-4. The Bills have lost two straight after a promising start.

Week 13: Miami Dolphins (6-4)

The first Jets-Dolphins meeting of the season will be on "Monday Night Football." It’s not the sexiest matchup for prime time, but these two longtime AFC East rivals have been known to play wild and crazy games. The Dolphins’ defense is playing exceptionally well, so this will be a difficult challenge for Michael Vick & Co.

Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings (4-6)

The Jets will have to pack their thermals, because this game will be played outdoors at the University of Minnesota. Remember, the Vikings’ new indoor stadium is under construction. Ryan’s defense will face its second rookie quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. (They beat Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders in Week 1.) The Jets could see Adrian Peterson, who has an appeals hearing Monday to be removed from the commissioner's exempt list.

Week 15: at Tennessee Titans (2-7)

It's another rookie quarterback (Zach Mettenberger) and another winnable game for the Jets. The main storyline will be former Titans star Chris Johnson, who was released last offseason. He hasn’t been shy about saying how much this game means to him. Can revenge allow him to turn back the clock?

Week 16: New England Patriots (7-2, not including Sunday night)

The Jets outplayed the Patriots in the previous meeting, but lost a heartbreaker. Ryan was so angry that he punched a wall after the game. If this turns out to be Ryan's final battle against Bill Belichick, he would love to end with a win against his nemesis. Former Jet Darrelle Revis will return to MetLife Stadium for the first (and probably last) time as a Patriot.

Week 17: at Miami Dolphins (6-4)

For the second straight season, the Jets finish in South Florida, where last December Ryan enjoyed one of his most satisfying victories. This time, it could mark the end of his time with the Jets.

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jet...-have-dead-end

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Idzik and the draft shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence after this years draft day blunders. 

 

Mariota or bust whatever it takes get it done.

 

Exactly...I don't care what it takes.  Get him if we finish 2-8 or 8-8.  Make the deal to move up and grab him.  Then draft one or two more QB's with the remaining picks.

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Is there a franchise QB in this draft ? Or is Mariotta a guy who will put us back in the hunt for a QB in a couple of seasons IF say we draft him.

 

Mariota is the only potential franchise guy in this year's class, IMO. Having said that, we still need a coaching staff with the ability to develop and bring him along properly, as well as a front office devoted to putting the necessary pieces around him to succeed. We can't expect him to be that franchise guy if he's "developed" (read: ruined) by Wrecks & co.

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Mariota is the only potential franchise guy in this year's class, IMO. Having said that, we still need a coaching staff with the ability to develop and bring him along properly, as well as a front office devoted to putting the necessary pieces around him to succeed. We can't expect him to be that franchise guy if he's "developed" (read: ruined) by Wrecks & co.

 

So he needs weapons and coaching staff that can develop him. Wishful thinking.

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You want to draft 3 or more QB's?

lol whatever

One early, one middle, one late. W/O a QB in this league, no point in showing up on Sundays. I'm tired if my favorite team having the worst QB play in the NFL. I support fixing that problem, but to each his own.

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One early, one middle, one late. W/O a QB in this league, no point in showing up on Sundays. I'm tired if my favorite team having the worst QB play in the NFL. I support fixing that problem, but to each his own.

I support getting a QB also. But not by sacrificing every other position on this team of a thousand holes. You will get him killed behind this Oline. But whatever.

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I support getting a QB also. But not by sacrificing every other position on this team of a thousand holes. You will get him killed behind this Oline. But whatever.

Plenty of cap room to fill other holes w/ FA and the other draft picks. Not gonna' get a franchise QB in FA, but might get lucky and draft one.

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Jets have pick #5, I'm sure they will win 2 more games and be at #7 at end. Do they dare take Shameus

 

Are you sure? I thought we had the strength of schedule tiebreaker over TB and TENN? Or am I mistaken? Well, even if we don't, at least we play TENN so if we lose out we pick before them anyway.

 

And I wouldn't take Jameis even in the 2nd round. I've gone on the record and believe he's a surefire bust, notwithstanding his off-field issues. I'd treat him like he has ebola and stay as far away as humanly possible. If we're picking at #7 I'd hope Peat falls to us and if not, trade down to accumulate picks (with someone other than Idzik hopefully doing the picking).

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Are you sure? I thought we had the strength of schedule tiebreaker over TB and TENN? Or am I mistaken? Well, even if we don't, at least we play TENN so if we lose out we pick before them anyway.

 

And I wouldn't take Jameis even in the 2nd round. I've gone on the record and believe he's a surefire bust, notwithstanding his off-field issues. I'd treat him like he has ebola and stay as far away as humanly possible. If we're picking at #7 I'd hope Peat falls to us and if not, trade down to accumulate picks (with someone other than Idzik hopefully doing the picking).

Yes Shameus is like a hot chick who has 4 STD's and Herpes all in 1. Do Jets want to penetrate?

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