DL Nathan Shepherd: 'Right Now, I'm an Intern with the Jets'

[T0mShane]

2 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

Improvement!

No joke, 6-10 might let them keep their jobs... if Darnold starts and gives hope for 2019.

Which I’m presuming is the plan, for better or worse. Let McCown get them 3 or 4 wins in the first eight, then let Darnold take his lumps in the second half and hope they stumble into another two wins along the way, then blame the record on the rookie. The x-factor is, does Bowles bench McCown if he’s 4-4? 

[#27TheDominator]

1 minute ago, T0mShane said:

Which I’m presuming is the plan, for better or worse. Let McCown get them 3 or 4 wins in the first eight, then let Darnold take his lumps in the second half and hope they stumble into another two wins along the way, then blame the record on the rookie. The x-factor is, does Bowles bench McCown if he’s 4-4? 

4-4?  McCown was 3-2 last year.  They didn't bench Fitzpatrick at 1-5, but we have to assume (hope?) that was because Hackenberg and Petty were way worse prospects than Darnold. 

[T0mShane]

1 minute ago, #27TheDominator said:

4-4?  McCown was 3-2 last year.  They didn't bench Fitzpatrick at 1-5, but we have to assume (hope?) that was because Hackenberg and Petty were way worse prospects than Darnold. 

I’m also curious to see what happens if Bridgewater is healthy and McCown gets his inevitable injury, especially if it’s early.

[kelly]

15 hours ago, mphtrilogy said:

Other than Sam, I am looking forward to seeing him the most in camp.

agreed !..

... & i Luv his DOO ! !  ?

 

[kelly]

3 minutes ago, kelly said:

agreed !..

... & i Luv his DOO ! !  ?

 

.. oh, i Luv " Sam the MAN " too   ?

 

cheers ~ ~ 

[#27TheDominator]

5 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

I’m also curious to see what happens if Bridgewater is healthy and McCown gets his inevitable injury, especially if it’s early.

Ewwww, the Manning, Geno, Webb saga! Let's hope not. 

Back to Nathan Shepherd.  He is a guy I liked in the draft.  No real comment on the value in the 3rd, but I was at least interested in him and Fatukasi.  I knew next to nothing about Herndon,  Nickerson seems like value, but he is kind of short armed for the outside and had poor cone/shuttle for the slot. With Cannon I was like WTF?  But that is where you burn a pick on a shot in the dark return guy, not with your first of 3 4th rounders.  

[T0mShane]

Just now, #27TheDominator said:

Ewwww, the Manning, Geno, Webb saga! Let's hope not. 

Back to Nathan Shepherd.  He is a guy I liked in the draft.  No real comment on the value in the 3rd, but I was at least interested in him and Fatukasi.  I knew next to nothing about Herndon,  Nickerson seems like value, but he is kind of short armed for the outside and had poor cone/shuttle for the slot. With Cannon I was like WTF?  But that is where you burn a pick on a shot in the dark return guy, not with your first of 3 4th rounders.  

I think I feel the same neutrality toward all the non-Darnold picks except for the sense of optimism in that they’re all plus athletes, which is new for us. They’re all fairly non-descript players otherwise, IMO, but guys that the next administration will appreciate having on the roster.

[slats]

1 hour ago, dbatesman said:

love too use a 3rd round pick on a 25 year old intern

He's reminiscent of Sione Pouha, who had a fairly decent career here. 

[dbatesman]

5 minutes ago, slats said:

He's reminiscent of Sione Pouha, who had a fairly decent career here. 

I certainly hope so!

[T0mShane]

Nathan Shepherd plus Shane Ray minus Darron Lee would be sweet. Just saying.

[IndianaJet]

15 hours ago, TheNuuFaaolaExperience said:

Character guys who contribute along with franchise QB character guys makes for a bright future. I would imagine that it's easier to recruit players when the team is cohesive. 

The Jet Way

[The Crusher]

6 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

Nathan Shepherd plus Shane Ray minus Darron Lee would be sweet. Just saying.

If this was the Emerald city they would be protesting right now !

[derp]

1 hour ago, T0mShane said:

Yeah, I don’t want to disparage the pick in isolation, necessarily. It’s just part of an established theme with Maccagnan and Bowles that they’ve become extremely conservative with the positions and personalities they’re bringing in and time might be (should be) running out on them. As you said, Shepherd is going to occupy blocks and let people around him make plays, but they don’t draft the guys who can actually make those plays behind guys like Shepherd, so it’s hard to get excited about the overall product. It’s great to fill your roster with try-hard dudes, but a roster full of those guys, at these positions, will get you to 6-10. 

They've actually drafted plus athletes at a lot of positions. Basically everyone this year actually. Not completely fair to call them try hard guys. The problem is that they're getting the try hard guys at premium positions because they blow premium picks on guys at non-premium positions.

If that changes going forward, I think they've got a chance to put together a decent roster. And if not, I think the roster is well positioned in terms of culture, scheme flexibility, and depth at certain positions to allow someone new to come in and fix things up.

[T0mShane]

11 hours ago, derp said:

They've actually drafted plus athletes at a lot of positions. Basically everyone this year actually. Not completely fair to call them try hard guys. The problem is that they're getting the try hard guys at premium positions because they blow premium picks on guys at non-premium positions.

If that changes going forward, I think they've got a chance to put together a decent roster. And if not, I think the roster is well positioned in terms of culture, scheme flexibility, and depth at certain positions to allow someone new to come in and fix things up.

Yeah, I didn’t mean “try hard guys” as a pejorative—Im not implying that they’re stiffs at all. I meant that they appear to be low-ceiling dudes who are all gritty self-starters. It’s Darnold (great, obviously), but then it’s two stout 3-4 ends, a TE who hasn’t produced a ton and has an iffy knee, a nickel corner, and a kick returner. Missing are the edge guys, the big pass catcher, and the OL. Looking at next year, the only WR’s on the payroll are Stewart, Hansen, and Peake. OLB is likewise bleak, but at least at WR we have a few guys that could earn extensions in Enunwa and Robby Anderson. IMO, Maccagnan should trade for either Shane Ray or Dante Fowler ASAP to supplement what he’s got. I think a plus edge guy instantly turns this into a different defense. 

[T0mShane]

Well, this is an interesting Joe Banner quote that’s germane to this conversation:

 

[NYDreamer]

Speaking of building a positive culture, I love the tidbit in the video of how he connected with Fatukasi at the combine and how they became close friends before being drafted together by the Jets.  That connection is similar to Adams and Maye prior to the draft.  That connection and competitive nature made them better on the field.  My hope is that is true with Shepard and Fatukasi.  

On a side note, the credit card on file at the hotel might be charged for incidentals if those two dudes are using them as offensive lineman.

[GREENBEAN]

On 5/9/2018 at 8:12 PM, flgreen said:

One things clear to see, the interview process didn't hurt him at all

My thoughts exactly. 

[Jetmech]

The story gets more interesting.

https://sports.yahoo.com/former-college-walk-ex-bouncer-became-nfl-draft-pick-assist-nate-burleson-192006204.html



Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[brothermoose]

20 hours ago, Miss Lonelyhearts said:

But he speaks so well.

Lambda, sigma, phi badge on lapel...

[jackhuntr]

https://twitter.com/AP_NFL/status/992902730019737602

 

Shepherd, Fatukasi could make big impact on Jets' D-line

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.

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  New York Jets' Nathan Shepherd, left, who was drafted in the third round of the 2018 draft, works out with Folorunso Fatukasi, who wad drafted in the sixth round, during NFL rookie camp, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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  New York Jets' Nathan Shepherd, who was drafted in the third round of the 2018 draft, stands by his temporary locker while speaking to reporters during NFL rookie camp, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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  New York Jets' Nathan Shepherd, who was drafted in the third round of the 2018 draft, works out during NFL rookie camp, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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  New York Jets' Nathan Shepherd, who was drafted in the third round of the 2018 draft, speaks to reporters during NFL rookie camp, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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  New York Jets' Folorunso Fatukasi, who was drafted in the sixth round of the draft, talks to reporters during NFL rookie camp, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Nathan Shepherd jumped off the defensive line, got into the New York Jets' backfield and saw Sam Darnold standing just a few feet away.

 

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Then, the third-round draft pick put on the brakes.

 

"Oh, I stayed away from him," a smiling Shepherd said of Darnold on Saturday during rookie minicamp. "No sir. You see the red (jersey) and you turn the other way."

Quarterbacks are off-limits to contact in NFL practices, so would-be sack-happy defenders such as Shepherd need to tread lightly — especially when the No. 3 overall pick and future of the franchise is in the pocket.

But games are another story, of course, and the Jets will be counting on Shepherd and fellow rookie Folorunso Fatukasi to help make Sundays miserable for opposing offenses. New York went big in the draft — after taking Darnold in the first round — by adding heft to its defensive line.

Over 630 pounds worth.

Shepherd is a 6-foot-4, 315-pounder from Fort Hays State. Fatukasi, a sixth-rounder from UConn, is 6-3 and 318.

"Same size, different players," coach Todd Bowles said last week after the draft.

Shepherd and Fatukasi could get plenty of opportunities to play as rookies. Bowles said both can play nose tackle and spell Leonard Williams at defensive end, and the Jets will have them slotted for certain roles depending on what defensive scheme they want to use.

They might also be able to help offset the loss of Muhammad Wilkerson, who was cut during the offseason and has since signed with Green Bay. The Jets still have Williams and Steve McLendon on their defensive line, as well as Mike Pennel, Xavier Cooper and Henry Anderson, who was acquired in a draft-day deal with Indianapolis.

"I think that whatever the opportunity the Jets have for me is going to be more than enough for me," Shepherd said. "If they need help in a certain area, then I would certainly feel honored that they would come and look to me for that."

Boosting a pass rush that has struggled to consistently get to the quarterback the last few seasons might be one.

"We'll see," Bowles said of Shepherd. "We expect him to have an impact as a defensive lineman, but sacks come differently for different people. As long as he does what he is supposed to do, which we're sure he will, we'll get better and we'll see where the pass rush is and if the sacks come."

Shepherd is a study in patience and perseverance . The native of Ontario, Canada, redshirted his first season at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and then became a starter before leaving school for financial reasons.

Shepherd worked several side jobs for the next two years, dreaming of returning to football someday while fighting to keep motivated every day.

"Yeah, most mornings," he said. "You're thinking, 'OK, I've got to go to work and this check isn't really doing anything to improve my life today, that I can see.' So, that was difficult, but you've just got to keep the dream alive and know that you're that much closer."

Shepherd landed at Fort Hays State in Kansas in 2015, became a starter and was the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association defensive player of the year as a senior. He finished his three-year career at Fort Hays with 168 tackles, including 27 for loss, and 10 sacks.

Now, he's in the NFL — something he's still trying to grasp.

"I was fortunate enough to be able to keep my same number, so I'll be No. 97," he said. "I have my jersey from college, so I think when I take that picture of my college jersey and my pro jersey, that moment will sink in for me."

For Fatukasi, this marks sort of a homecoming. He grew up in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, New York, and ended up going to UConn. He went through three coaching changes while he was there but thrived despite the constant turnover.

He had 45 tackles, including 7½ for losses, as a senior and was tied for second on the Huskies with four sacks. Fatukasi finished his college career with 168 tackles and 14 sacks in 48 games while playing several positions on UConn's defensive line.

"Having three different head coaches — and if you include the interim head coach, it's four — and having a various amount of defenses, I've kind of been all over," Fatukasi said.

That versatility will be valuable for the Jets, who tend to move players around on the line to keep them fresh. Both Shepherd and Fatukasi could quickly find themselves part of that rotation, but they first need to get adjusted to playing in the NFL.

"I had to quickly get off the high of being drafted," Fatukasi said, "and realize there's still a lot of work to be done."

[flgreen]

I know a lot of posters are upset that the Jets didn't take any OL, or edge rushers in this year's draft, and I understand that.  Both need positions.  fact of the matter is this was a weak draft at both spots.  

The Jets DL was also a position of need.  Believe the Jets were 26th against the run last season.  Jets selected 2 DL, and traded a 7th for  a legit DL starter.  All 3 figure to be in the rotation the Jets use to keep their DL fresh.  In essence they have rebuilt an entire position group of need.   IMO that is much better then drafting OL in the 6th and 7th round who may, or may not even make the team, just because.  Think the picks were assets well spent.

For what it's worth next year's draft is supposed to be very rich in OL, and edge.  Rob Rang, who IMO , is the best of the draft guru's, in his "way to early" 2019 mock draft has picked 8 OL, and 10 DL/edge guys in the 1st round.  Should be lots of talent. 

A team can only do so much with 6 draft picks.  Think they did well.  OL/edge next year's draft and FA

[derp]

10 hours ago, T0mShane said:

Yeah, I didn’t mean “try hard guys” as a pejorative—Im not implying that they’re stiffs at all. I meant that they appear to be low-ceiling dudes who are all gritty self-starters. It’s Darnold (great, obviously), but then it’s two stout 3-4 ends, a TE who hasn’t produced a ton and has an iffy knee, a nickel corner, and a kick returner. Missing are the edge guys, the big pass catcher, and the OL. Looking at next year, the only WR’s on the payroll are Stewart, Hansen, and Peake. OLB is likewise bleak, but at least at WR we have a few guys that could earn extensions in Enunwa and Robby Anderson. IMO, Maccagnan should trade for either Shane Ray or Dante Fowler ASAP to supplement what he’s got. I think a plus edge guy instantly turns this into a different defense. 

Beyond Darnold the picks were in round 3 are later though. You're rarely going to get a big stud WR or elite edge player with those picks. We've kind of seen it - he's spent two three's and a six on edge guys and a two, a three, a four, and a seven (I think) on receivers without much to show for it. Offensive line is absolutely possible and something I wanted a lot - but I'm not sure the value was there this year by the time they were up.

The real failure has been to address needs at premium positions with premium picks. That's where you have opportunities to draft difference makers at those positions - and he's been busy drafting 5-techs, ILB's, and safeties.

To me sometimes people view team needs and the draft as too linear. We need a pass rusher, haven't drafted one yet, let's pick one in the 6th round. I'd rather fill relatively insignificant holes like 5-tech and nickel corner via the draft in the mid-late rounds than go out and spend $8M on a guy to start across from Williams, $6M on Buster Skrine, or spend premium picks on corners and 5 tech's again. It's boring, but if you're sitting in the 3rd round and looking at Shepherd versus a receiver or an edge guy, if you give up ceiling a little for probability of finding a starter I think that's a decent tradeoff. And that applies even moreso for Nickerson in the 6th round. Especially if you have less sunk costs down the road in positions that are important but not where the focus really should be.

That said - that absolutely needs to be followed by an adjustment to spending first round picks on the receivers, edge guys, and linemen that you want. If that happens then I think drafts like this one are worthwhile.

[Dcat]

11 minutes ago, flgreen said:

Quote

I know a lot of posters are upset that the Jets didn't take any OL, or edge rushers in this year's draft, and I understand that.  Both need positions.  fact of the matter is this was a weak draft at both spots.

 

there were good options for them at both positions in rounds 3 and 4.

Quote

The Jets DL was also a position of need.  Believe the Jets were 26th against the run last season.  Jets selected 2 DL, and traded a 7th for  a legit DL starter.  All 3 figure to be in the rotation the Jets use to keep their DL fresh.  In essence they have rebuilt an entire position group of need.   IMO that is much better then drafting OL in the 6th and 7th round who may, or may not even make the team, just because.  Think the picks were assets well spent.

true, but did it warrant triple dipping (Shep, Fat and Anderson) on the DL at the complete expense of the OL/Edge deficiencies on the roster?  I don't think so. 3 DL, 0 OL, 0 Edge?  A bit misbalanced there, don't you think?   

Quote

For what it's worth next year's draft is supposed to be very rich in OL, and edge.  Rob Rang, who IMO , is the best of the draft guru's, in his "way to early" 2019 mock draft has picked 8 OL, and 10 DL/edge guys in the 1st round.  Should be lots of talent.

Hope he is right. Otherwise it will suck even more than it seems right now.

 

 

[flgreen]

50 minutes ago, Dcat said:

 

As I said, I understand why people wanted OL in this draft.  I wanted OL, the talent just wasn't there.

Can't comment on Shepherd really, I honestly don't know much about his play.  

In the case of Herndon, being a Canes fan I am very familiar with him.  Guy is going to be an excellent player.  His skill set will carry over very well into the NFL.  Excellent receiver, with very soft hands, excellent in traffic, good YAC, 12.0 yards per catch, and a good blocker in space.   IMO He would have been a 2nd round pick if he hadn't injured his knee late in the season.  Think November.  Soon as the knee is totally healthy IMO he will be the best TE on the Jets, and a rookie QB's best friend.

As far as better Talent being available in the 4th, I sure don't know who thy are.  Jets need a G, or Tackle.  Herndron was selected at pick #107, no G or T was selected until pick #127, Leonard from FSU.  IMO a JAG.  Former DE, who only did 19 reps on the bench.  Very inconsistent player.  I'll take Herndon every time over him.

Anderson for a 7th was a no brainer.  Myself, I'll take the guys we have over a pig in the bush OL

[Dcat]

44 minutes ago, flgreen said:

As I said, I understand why people wanted OL in this draft.  I wanted OL, the talent just wasn't there.

Can't comment on Shepherd really, I honestly don't know much about his play.  

In the case of Herndon, being a Canes fan I am very familiar with him.  Guy is going to be an excellent player.  His skill set will carry over very well into the NFL.  Excellent receiver, with very soft hands, excellent in traffic, good YAC, 12.0 yards per catch, and a good blocker in space.   IMO He would have been a 2nd round pick if he hadn't injured his knee late in the season.  Think November.  Soon as the knee is totally healthy IMO he will be the best TE on the Jets, and a rookie QB's best friend.

As far as better Talent being available in the 4th, I sure don't know who thy are.  Jets need a G, or Tackle.  Herndron was selected at pick #107, no G or T was selected until pick #127, Leonard from FSU.  IMO a JAG.  Former DE, who only did 19 reps on the bench.  Very inconsistent player.  I'll take Herndon every time over him.

Anderson for a 7th was a no brainer.  Myself, I'll take the guys we have over a pig in the bush OL

I agree with almost all, except for the bold.  As I stated in my first reply: there was decent talent there.  In fact there were BOTH OL and Edge rushers available rated well aherad of Sheperd and Herndon.  No knocks on them, because I am liking what I am seeing and hearing about both.  But to say there was no talent there at OL and Edge is patently false.

My question is this:  We used draft capital to acquire three DL (including the trade of the 7th).  We had 6 picks.  3 DL and zero Edge/OL is flat out moronic, considering what this team needs.  And there was indeed talent there.  Hopefully next year.

[flgreen]

1 hour ago, Dcat said:

I agree with almost all, except for the bold.  As I stated in my first reply: there was decent talent there.  In fact there were BOTH OL and Edge rushers available rated well aherad of Sheperd and Herndon.  No knocks on them, because I am liking what I am seeing and hearing about both.  But to say there was no talent there at OL and Edge is patently false.

My question is this:  We used draft capital to acquire three DL (including the trade of the 7th).  We had 6 picks.  3 DL and zero Edge/OL is flat out moronic, considering what this team needs.  And there was indeed talent there.  Hopefully next year.

In answer to your question, the DL sucked last year.  Even worst then the OL, which was Meh.  In one draft the Jets have completely re-built the DL into what looks like a pretty good unit.

I have a question for you.  Who would you have selected in the 4th that is a better value, at a need position then  Herndon?  As I mentioned the next G T taken was 20 picks later.  I will be very surprised if Leonard ever turns into a starter.  Long player with out much upper body strength for a 315# man.  IMO adding guys who will be sitting on the bench, while passing on much higher rated players at a need position is a formula for failure.

It is one thing saying there was much better players there we should have taken, I just don't see who they were.

The two top positions in the 2019 draft at this point at least appear to be OL and edge.  I'll wait a year to get a quality player, rather then waste a pick on a player in this years draft who is going to be a JAG, or a bust.

JMO

[slimjasi]

On 5/10/2018 at 9:29 AM, dbatesman said:

love too use a 3rd round pick on a 25 year old intern

*to

[Dcat]

1 hour ago, flgreen said:

In answer to your question, the DL sucked last year.  Even worst then the OL, which was Meh.  In one draft the Jets have completely re-built the DL into what looks like a pretty good unit.

I have a question for you.  Who would you have selected in the 4th that is a better value, at a need position then  Herndon?  As I mentioned the next G T taken was 20 picks later.  I will be very surprised if Leonard ever turns into a starter.  Long player with out much upper body strength for a 315# man.  IMO adding guys who will be sitting on the bench, while passing on much higher rated players at a need position is a formula for failure.

It is one thing saying there was much better players there we should have taken, I just don't see who they were.

The two top positions in the 2019 draft at this point at least appear to be OL and edge.  I'll wait a year to get a quality player, rather then waste a pick on a player in this years draft who is going to be a JAG, or a bust.

JMO

I've answered this question several times in other threads, but here goes...  In the 3rd, I would have taken Sweat (depending on Medicals) or Key.  Sweat might have dropped due to medicals on his knee of which we are not aware.  In the 4th, I would have taken Da'Shawn Hand from Alabama, whom I think is a natural for 3-4 DE and every bit as good as, if not better than, Shepherd for that kind of Wilkerson role.  And I like Shepherd, who could very well have been there in the 4th.  I would have passed on TE since we have Leggett on the roster from last year and added Walford and Hodges.  Among Leggett, Sterling and Hodges, there are enough prospects to try out for this year.  If they don't work out take TE next year.  At pick 157, rather than trade down, I would have taken OT Crosby or Jamarco Jones if Crosby was already off the board.  

We would have had a very good DL to replace Wilk, a promising Edge prospect and a really good OL prospect.  And still take Fatukasi or Nickerson in the 6th.  

[T0mShane]

5 hours ago, derp said:

Beyond Darnold the picks were in round 3 are later though. You're rarely going to get a big stud WR or elite edge player with those picks. We've kind of seen it - he's spent two three's and a six on edge guys and a two, a three, a four, and a seven (I think) on receivers without much to show for it. Offensive line is absolutely possible and something I wanted a lot - but I'm not sure the value was there this year by the time they were up.

The real failure has been to address needs at premium positions with premium picks. That's where you have opportunities to draft difference makers at those positions - and he's been busy drafting 5-techs, ILB's, and safeties.

To me sometimes people view team needs and the draft as too linear. We need a pass rusher, haven't drafted one yet, let's pick one in the 6th round. I'd rather fill relatively insignificant holes like 5-tech and nickel corner via the draft in the mid-late rounds than go out and spend $8M on a guy to start across from Williams, $6M on Buster Skrine, or spend premium picks on corners and 5 tech's again. It's boring, but if you're sitting in the 3rd round and looking at Shepherd versus a receiver or an edge guy, if you give up ceiling a little for probability of finding a starter I think that's a decent tradeoff. And that applies even moreso for Nickerson in the 6th round. Especially if you have less sunk costs down the road in positions that are important but not where the focus really should be.

That said - that absolutely needs to be followed by an adjustment to spending first round picks on the receivers, edge guys, and linemen that you want. If that happens then I think drafts like this one are worthwhile.

I think we agree on all of this. It’s just tough to see how they change course from this point on to get enough players at those impact positions in time to save their jobs.

[dbatesman]

37 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

*to

thank’s

[derp]

26 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

I think we agree on all of this. It’s just tough to see how they change course from this point on to get enough players at those impact positions in time to save their jobs.

I'm not sure they can. And if they don't, I care less about their jobs than I do the Jets being well positioned going forward. There's cheap young depth at several spots on the roster, a potential franchise QB, and a lot of cap space. Makes it a potentially appealing destination for legitimate GM and HC candidates if the franchise starts over.

We're also in a spot now that basically anything aside from a non-edge defender or QB in the first round next year is a good thing. Tight end or RB would be kind of eh but at least Darnold friendly. I like the odds of that happening. And if it doesn't I do think it's probably grounds to let Macc go even if Darnold is a franchise QB.

[flgreen]

3 hours ago, Dcat said:

I've answered this question several times in other threads, but here goes...  In the 3rd, I would have taken Sweat (depending on Medicals) or Key.  Sweat might have dropped due to medicals on his knee of which we are not aware.  In the 4th, I would have taken Da'Shawn Hand from Alabama, whom I think is a natural for 3-4 DE and every bit as good as, if not better than, Shepherd for that kind of Wilkerson role.  And I like Shepherd, who could very well have been there in the 4th.  I would have passed on TE since we have Leggett on the roster from last year and added Walford and Hodges.  Among Leggett, Sterling and Hodges, there are enough prospects to try out for this year.  If they don't work out take TE next year.  At pick 157, rather than trade down, I would have taken OT Crosby or Jamarco Jones if Crosby was already off the board.  

We would have had a very good DL to replace Wilk, a promising Edge prospect and a really good OL prospect.  And still take Fatukasi or Nickerson in the 6th.  

Sweat, as you mentioned,  has medical issues, really can't say one way or the other.   Key, IMO,  is a potential weirdo.  Here's a guy who looking at a 1st round grade , didn't want to come back and play football.  HUH?.  Guy has some emotional problems.  With all his talent I really wouldn't have touched him.  Could, and probably will, go very sideways.  Not really a guy I want on a young team.

I actually like Leggett.  I'm good with him as the #2 TE.  IMO, Herndon is going to be a much better all around TE.  The other guys are JAGS.

Not trying to challenge you, or say your wrong, but IMO Crosby, and Jones aren't particularly good OL.  There will be much better players in next year's draft.

As I said, YES, I wanted OL this year.  Just wasn't value for them when the Jets were on the board.  Think the Jets had a very nice draft.  Yeah, I would have preferred the next D'Brick, or LT, but they just weren't there.  I like this draft, and think the Jets got excellent value in the 6th round with guys who are going to contribute very soon.  Got a major steal at CB.  

 

We clearly disagree on the draft.  That's cool.  Lets re-discuss it after next year's draft. 

[NYDreamer]

While I like what I am seeing in Shepard, I would have prob. taken LT Orlando Brown to be honest.  I hope these players become all pros.

[Dcat]

4 hours ago, flgreen said:

Sweat, as you mentioned,  has medical issues, really can't say one way or the other.   Key, IMO,  is a potential weirdo.  Here's a guy who looking at a 1st round grade , didn't want to come back and play football.  HUH?.  Guy has some emotional problems.  With all his talent I really wouldn't have touched him.  Could, and probably will, go very sideways.  Not really a guy I want on a young team.

I actually like Leggett.  I'm good with him as the #2 TE.  IMO, Herndon is going to be a much better all around TE.  The other guys are JAGS.

Not trying to challenge you, or say your wrong, but IMO Crosby, and Jones aren't particularly good OL.  There will be much better players in next year's draft.

As I said, YES, I wanted OL this year.  Just wasn't value for them when the Jets were on the board.  Think the Jets had a very nice draft.  Yeah, I would have preferred the next D'Brick, or LT, but they just weren't there.  I like this draft, and think the Jets got excellent value in the 6th round with guys who are going to contribute very soon.  Got a major steal at CB.  

 

We clearly disagree on the draft.  That's cool.  Lets re-discuss it after next year's draft. 

I do like Shepherd a lot, don't get me wrong, and I am pretty happy we got Nickerson so far down in the draft.  I agree on him being a potential steal 100%.  Gil Brandt was crowing about him when he analyzed the Jets draft.  I don't dislike Mac's picks in 3-7.  I'm just more positional need focused after rounds 1 & 2, than are most people here. 

[Adoni Beast]

I like this kid the more I read about and hear from him.

As much as I want a new LT, LG, and a better long term answer at C (although lets see how Long does for us) you can’t take people just for need. You have to love the player.

Game is won in the trenches and we seriously needed to revamp our dline. Hopefully next year we can sign and draft upgrades on oline.