New York Jets 2010 NFL Draft Grade

NEW YORK JETS

1.29 Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Jets got a damn steal. To get a guy who may end up better than any other corner in this class all the way down at 29th is amazing. To get him after three other CBs had already been chosen, that’s Rex Ryan lucky. He’ll be amazing across from Darrelle Revis before long, and although he may just be the nickel at first, he’ll push Antonio Cromartie into that role soon. Very soon. GRADE: A+

2.61 Vlad Ducasse, OG, UMass
Ducasse is a big mauler at guard who will keep this ground game churning. With Faneca gone, the Jets are obviously going to need some guard depth. There are some that say turning a tackle from UMass into a guard for the Jets is too big a task to go well, but I think he can do it. He’s big, strong, and nasty, and won’t have to contribute right away, unless he earns it. GRADE: B

3ROUND GRADE: A

4.112 Joe McKnight, RB, USC
You’ll hear a lot of conflicting opinions on this pick. Some hate it saying that Leon Washington should have been retained. Some think McKnight has a lot of room to grow into a playmaker. I think this is a great situation for him, but he’s not going to be a cinch contributor. GRADE: C

5.139 John Conner, FB, Kentucky
I like this pick better than some. It’s obvious that the Jets want to hold onto their identity as a team that’ll bloody your nose, and Conner is the type of lead blocker that can ram defenders from the holes. GRADE: B

Best Pick: Kyle Wilson
Worst Pick: Joe McKnight
Sleeper Pick: John Conner

FINAL ANALYSIS
I like what the Jets did in their second year with four or fewer picks. Kyle Wilson was an absolute no-brainer at 29th overall. Darrelle Revis needs a strong corner across from him, and while Antonio Cromartie has been the flashy pick to be that guy, I think Wilson will end up starting sooner than expected. He’s an absolute terror in man coverage, and if he can push Cromartie into a nickel niche, this defense will be even better than it has been. The Jets were right to say goodbye to Faneca. His play really dropped off last year. You have to worry some about the effect on the cohesiveness of the blocking unit, but Ducasse is a guy with a lot of upside, and can really be a mauler in this offense.

The McKnight pick is a sign that the Jets didn’t believe Washington would ever fully recover his prior form, and if they’re right then this pick makes sense from a need standpoint, but I just don’t think McKnight is going to be the guy they want him to be. Conner is an underrated selection and will be a fiery lead blocker for their power running attack. He can learn behind Tony Richardson before taking over.

I can’t believe the Jets are leaving the draft with Jason Taylor as the answer at OLB. He’s not bad, and they’ll get the most out of him, but he sure is old. There were good pass rushers available with each of their last three picks. And they did nothing to improve the depth along the D line. I like Wilson, and I think Ducasse and Conner can develop into solid players. But the McKnight pick is one I wouldn’t have made. Maybe he proves me wrong.

FINAL GRADE: B

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