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NFL Draft 2018: Analysis, scouting reports for all Jets Day 3 picks | TE Chris Herndon, CB Parry Nickerson, DE Foley Fatukasi

Posted April 28, 2018 at 04:19 PM | Updated April 28, 2018 at 04:19 PM
 
 
 
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By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Jets are wrapping up their 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday, when the fourth through seventh rounds will be selected. Here is a complete rundown of what the Jets are doing on Saturday, including scouting reports and analysis for their picks, after they took quarterback Sam Darnold on Thursday and defensive end Nathan Shepherd on Friday. 

Mike Maccagnan
AP Photo
 

This is the fourth draft for Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan. 

 
 
WHAT THEY DID IN ROUND 1

The Jets made the no-brainer move and picked quarterback Sam Darnold out of USC when he fell to them at No. 3 overall. Here is a scouting report for Darnold

 
 
 
WHAT THEY DID IN ROUND 3

More of an off-the-radar pick at No. 72 overall — defensive end Nathan Shepherd out of Division II Fort Hays State in rural Kansas. Here is a scouting report for Shepherd

NFL: Combine
Trevor Ruszkowski | USA TODAY Sports
ROUND 4 (107): TE CHRIS HERNDON, MIAMI

Height: 6-4 

Weight: 253 pounds 

 
 
WHAT HERNDON PICK MEANS

The Jets lost tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins to the Jaguars in free agency this offseason. He was their top tight end last year. They opted to not replace him with a free agency signing. That left Jordan Leggett, a rookie last year, as the Jets' top tight end. But Leggett missed all of 2017 with a knee injury. Leggett, a fifth-round pick, now has some competition, in Herndon. The Jets' other notable tight end is Eric Tomlinson, but he is more of a blocking tight end. Leggett remains something of an unknown, so this was a smart pick, with Herndon. 

 
 
HERNDON'S STATS

2016: 28 catches, 334 yards, two touchdowns 

2017: 40 catches, 477 yards, four touchdowns 

 
 
 
WHERE HERNDON WAS PROJECTED TO GO

NFL.com pegged him as a fourth- or fifth-round selection, which was probably due in part to him missing the final two games last year with a torn MCL in his knee. Herndon believes he is recovered from that injury now. 

 
 
 
ONE HERNDON SCOUTING REPORT

From NFL.com: Herndon's athletic ability will flash on tape, but his college production was pedestrian and he's still very raw. He has TE2 potential if he can improve his upper body strength and hand placement as a blocker. While Miami used him as a "run after the catch" option, NFL teams may lock in on his ability to threaten defenses on the second and third levels. Herndon has exciting athletic ability, but there is still plenty of room for improvement before he becomes a factor in the NFL.

 
 
ANOTHER HERNDON SCOUTING REPORT

From Fan Sided: He’s not big enough or fast enough. That’s what most teams are going to say about him for most of the draft. That said there is some hidden value in what Herndon brings to the table. He seems like that sort of depth player who never is the primary guy but always seems to deliver two or three meaningful catches a game while fulfilling his role as an extra blocker. If he lands on a team with a creative offensive coordinator, he’ll find a way to contribute.

 
 
A THIRD HERNDON SCOUTING REPORT

From Draft Blaster: A powerful, blocking tight end that injured his knee during the season, but had already put up lots of quality tape throughout his career. Coachable and hard working, Herndon was used primarily as a blocking tight end, and was extremely proficient working on the line and in space making room for ball carriers and after pass plays to other receivers. However, when used in the passing game showed very promising skills with soft hands and surprising agility in the open field. With his injury and the fact that he is not necessarily viewed as a pass catching tight end, could be a late round gem for a team willing to be patient for a year or two for him to fully heal and develop into an all around tight end.

 
HERNDON'S FILM

Check it out above. 

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AP Photo
ROUND 6 (179): CB PARRY NICKERSON, TULANE

Height: 5-10 

Weight: 182 pounds 

The Jets made two trades with the Vikings and also a deal with the Colts. The end result to all that: The Jets didn't make a seventh-round pick (traded to Colts for defensive end Henry Anderson) and didn't make a fifth-round pick. But they made three sixth-round picks — Nos. 179, 180, and 204.

Nickerson has prodigious speed — he was the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine — and gives the Jets depth in their secondary. His 40-yard dash time — 4.32 seconds. 

 
 
 
WHAT NICKERSON PICK MEANS

Plenty of speed for the Jets' secondary. But he isn't a hulking corner, at 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds. The Jets took two corners in Round 6 last year (Jeremy Clark and Derrick Jones) whose roster spots could now be in jeopardy. Nickerson provides some depth behind Trumaine Johnson, Buster Skrine, and Morris Claiborne. Nickerson said he doesn't have slot corner experience, as he mostly played outside corner at Tulane. 

 
 
NICKERSON'S STATS

Last season at Tulane, he had six interceptions and eight pass breakups. A productive final season for him at Tulane. 

 
 
WHERE NICKERSON WAS PROJECTED TO GO

NFL.com projected him to go in Round 4 or 5. 

 
 
ONE NICKERSON SCOUTING REPORT

From NFL.com: Nickerson is a gritty, undersized cornerback who possesses some of the more impressive ball skills in this year's draft. His lack of size and length will likely force him into the slot where his athletic ability and technique should allow him to make his mark. Nickerson is tough, smart and instinctive, but he needs to prove he can hold up as an NFL tackler. He should compete for a role as nickel cornerback early in his career.

 
 
 
ANOTHER NICKERSON SCOUTING REPORT

From Bleacher Report: A sleeper at cornerback with the skills to potentially go higher than we ranked him, Parry Nickerson has speed and instincts that are eye-catching. There will be teams concerned about his small frame, but he'll be a great matchup in the slot.

 
 
 
A THIRD NICKERSON SCOUTING REPORT

From DraftAnalyst.com: Underrated cornerback with terrific ball skills. Quick and fluid transitioning off the line, instinctive and stays on the receiver’s hip out of breaks. Effectively times pass defenses, does a good job tracking the pass in the air and positions himself to defend the throw. Effectively makes plays with his back to the ball, gets his head back around to find the pass and adjusts to knock away the throw. Shows excellent hands for the interception. Effective facing the action, shows good route recognition and displays a closing burst.

 
NICKERSON'S FILM

Check it out above. 

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AP Photo
ROUND 6 (180): DE FOLEY FATUKASI, UCONN

Height: 6-4 

Weight: 318 pounds 

 
 
WHAT FATUKASI PICK MEANS

Some depth for the Jets' defensive line. He is a similar player to Nathan Shepherd, a Division II defensive end whom the Jets picked on Friday night in Round 3. He is big enough to play inside on the defensive line, but might project as more of a 3-4 defensive end. 

 
 
FATUKASI'S STATS

Last season, he had 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. His best season in college was 2015, when he had eight tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. 

 
 
 
WHERE FATUKASI WAS PROJECTED TO GO

NFL.com projected him as a fourth rounder, so he fell a little bit. 

 
 
ONE FATUKASI SCOUTING REPORT

From NFL.com: Fatukasi is raw but talented and offers a well-built, versatile defender who can be played at a variety of positions by teams who employ varied defensive fronts. He needs to improve at the point of attack, but that could happen if he's asked to slant less and improves technique as a two-gapper. Fatukasi's flashes of power and disruption could be foreshadowing a future as a quality NFL starter with the ability to play on passing downs if he can reach his potential.

 
 
ANOTHER FATUKASI SCOUTING REPORT

From Bleacher Report: Foley Fatukasi is a raw prospect who has succeeded by using power and thickness to disrupt plays early. He'll have to develop a varied skill set in the NFL if he's expecting to be anything more than a two-down 3-tech that is taken off the field on obvious passing downs. There is enough flash on film to suggest Fatukasi could become a moveable piece in any front with continued coaching and athletic development.

 
 
A THIRD FATUKASI SCOUTING REPORT

From Draft Blaster: Folorunso Fatukasi is a potential sleeper pick in the upcoming draft, as he had a bit of an off year, but reinvigorated interest in his tape during the East-West Shrine game. During the East West Shrine game practices, he was able to show off his explosion capabilities, tossing aside blockers and displaying his ability to attack gaps. However, the more film scouts watch, the more they will see an ideal 3-4 defensive lineman that is simply immovable for most games. He has the height, length and base to be a 3-4 lineman that can be counted on to attack when needed. A potential super sleeper in the draft.

 
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Considering the surprise selection of Darnold, IMO, a good draft.  Would have liked to draft some OL, but to use a fishing adage, "No matter how good a fisherman you are, you won't catch any fish if they aren't there."

This wasn't a very good draft for OL.  Think in the end two players jump out at me who I think are going to be very good are Parry Nickerson, and Chris Herndon.

IMO if his health holds up  Nickerson is going to be an impact player.  

Being a Canes fan I may be a bit biased to Herndon, but he has the potential to be a very good TE.  IMO his blocking skills are very underrated. He not going to pancake people, but he's very good in space. 

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ROUND 6 (204): RB TRENTON CANNON, VIRGINIA STATE

Height: 5-11  

Weight: 185 pounds 

 
 
WHAT CANNON PICK MEANS

A small but shifty back, he brings some depth to the Jets' backfield, but he could also be a dynamic returner for them. Cannon said the Jets view him as a return specialist. 

 
 
CANNON'S STATS

He had 1,638 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He averaged 148.9 yards per game. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2017. 

 
 
WHERE CANNON WAS PROJECTED TO GO

NFL.com projected him as a priority undrafted free agent, so maybe this is a bit of an overdraft? 

 
 
ONE CANNON SCOUTING REPORT

From DraftAnalyst.com: Cannon is a physically gifted skill player who can be used as a rotational ball carrier and return specialist. He needs to improve his pass catching, but his ability to alter the momentum of games with big kick returns is very attractive.

 
 
 
ANOTHER CANNON SCOUTING REPORT

From NFL.com: Tremendously explosive change-of-pace runner who will need to live in the cafeteria and the weight room early on to help build his frame up to NFL standards. Cannon has juice for days and that big-play ability in space will be very appealing to teams as a likely undrafted free agent. Cannon can catch it and has a history of handling kick return duties when needed so that may be enough to help him find a practice squad this season.

 
CANNON'S FILM

Check it out above.

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WHAT GRADE DOES DARNOLD GET?

Grade: A 

Analysis: Darnold has his flaws (including ball security), but this was a no-brainer pick for the Jets, after quarterback Baker Mayfield went first overall. The Jets passed on Josh Rosen and Josh Allen. Looks wise now. Time will tell. Click here for more analysis of our Darnold grade. 

 

WHAT GRADE DOES SHEPHERD GET?

Grade: B 

Analysis: Shepherd is fairly old. He turns 25 in October. And he is considered something of a project player. A bad combination there? Click here for more analysis of our Shepherd grade. 

 

WHAT GRADE DOES HERNDON GET?

Grade: B+ 

Analysis: Jordan Leggett missed all of his rookie year last season due to a knee injury. And he was considered the Jets' top tight end entering this draft. So the Jets needed to do something to address this position. Yes, Herndon is coming off a torn MCL, but he has a chance to challenge Leggett for the starting job. A reasonable pick, though maybe the Jets could have addressed their offensive line in Round 4 instead. 

 

WHAT GRADE DOES NICKERSON GET?

Grade: B+ 

Analysis: Solid depth addition for the Jets' secondary — with a ton of speed, since he was the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine. But he lacks size. Can he be physical enough in the NFL? His 40-yard dash time is pretty insane — 4.32 seconds. 

 

WHAT GRADE DOES FATUKASI GET?

Grade: B- 

Analysis: Sort of a curious selection here, since the Jets just drafted a guy Friday night in Round 3 (Nathan Shepherd) who looks like he could be a 3-4 defensive end. Shepherd and Fatukasi don't have the exact same skill set, but they are similarly sized. Fatukasi is a depth pick, of course, in Round 6. 

 

WHAT GRADE DOES CANNON GET?

Grade: B- 

Analysis: No offensive line help for the Jets in this draft. They instead draft a running back — and a Division II guy, at that — in the sixth round for the second straight year, after taking Eli McGuire in that round last year. But he has kickoff return potential, so there is some upside there. He returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in college. 

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54 minutes ago, Fed Hill Jet said:

Nickerson immediately pushes skrine in the slot.   A challenge to the vet 

 

I hope that's true! Skrine should have been cut as soon as the off-season started, he gives up too many penalties and isn't worth the 8.5 million in cap space, imo.

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1 hour ago, Fed Hill Jet said:

Nickerson immediately pushes skrine in the slot.   A challenge to the vet 

 

not too sure about that... Nickerson himself has said he has Never played the slot...

Nickerson said he doesn't have slot corner experience, as he mostly played outside corner at Tulane. ..

playing the slot Is Alot different than playing the outside.

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5 minutes ago, jetsons said:

not too sure about that... Nickerson himself has said he has Never played the slot...

Nickerson said he doesn't have slot corner experience, as he mostly played outside corner at Tulane. ..

playing the slot Is Alot different than playing the outside.

IMO Nickerson will be making an immediate impact as a nickle.  As the season goes on he'll replace Skrine as slot starter.  He was the fastest player at the combine, and has tremendous ball skills.  If he was a few inches taller he'd be a first rounder. 

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19 minutes ago, flgreen said:

IMO Nickerson will be making an immediate impact as a nickle.  As the season goes on he'll replace Skrine as slot starter.  He was the fastest player at the combine, and has tremendous ball skills.  If he was a few inches taller he'd be a first rounder. 

Couldn't agree more.  He has the tools.  Now coach him up

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14 minutes ago, Larz said:

@Sarge4Tide

https://www.rosterresource.com/nfl-new-york-jets/

These guys have Anderson as our starting RDE already. Yikes 

Anyone who is complaining about the Dline picks, click that link 

I think Bowles said yesterday that he'll be in the rotation.  You have to assume with all the 3-4 DE action from the Jets that the CS/FO think the guys we have under contract suck.

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9 minutes ago, flgreen said:

I think Bowles said yesterday that he'll be in the rotation.  You have to assume with all the 3-4 DE action from the Jets that the CS/FO think the guys we have under contract suck.

The 3rd day press conference Bowles said both the rooks can play anywhere on the line 

Pretty good value for depth 

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Just now, Fantasy Island said:

Blah, blah, blah 

Mac screwed us from the 3rd round on.  It's what he does. 

Should I break the news to the guys drafted that FantasyIsland already knows they have no shot at becoming good NFL players or do you want to break the bad news to them?

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