Plan of Attack for the 2010 NFL Draft: New York Jets

Starting with the Saints all the way down to the Rams with the first pick, Draftseason will be taking an in depth look at each team.  We’ll analyze their needs, track free agent gains and losses, and then figure out a plan of attack the team will take for the first three rounds of the draft.  Keep checking back as new teams will be added daily, and teams will be updated as new free agents are signed or lost.

NEW YORK JETS

Team Needs: Wide Receiver, Defensive End, Safety, Offensive Line  for more deets click here http://www.draftseason.com/2010-nfl-draft-team-needs/new-york-jets-nfl-draft-team-needs/

Free Agent Signings: CB Antonio Cromartie (acquired via trade from Chargers), TE Ben Hartsock (resigned), RB LaDanian Tomlinson, WR Santonio Holmes

Free Agent Losses: S Kerry Rhodes (traded to AZ), RB Thomas Jones, LB Marques Murell, WR Wallace Wright

Potential Draft Targets:
Round 1: DE Jared Odrick, DE Everson Griffen, WR DeMaryius Thomas, WR Arrelious Benn, WR Golden Tate, S Taylor Mays
Round 2: WR Damian Williams, WR Brandon LaFell, WR Dezmon Briscoe, WR Mardy Gilyard, DE Tyson Alualu, DE Corey Wootton, DE Alex Carrington, S Larry Asante, S Reshad Jones
Round 3: Pick traded to Browns

Plan of Attack: The trade for Antonio Cromartie gives the Jets more flexibility in the first round. Many draft experts have the Jets locked into a receiver here, but is a guy like Arrelious Benn that much better than what receiver may be available to them in the second round?  Plus it’s not like they are empty when it comes to pass catchers.  They have Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, and Jerricho Cotchery already on the squad.  So don’t be shocked if the Jets brass targets a defensive player for their front seven with their first pick.  Jared Odrick would be a great choice as he could play end in their 3-4 and even move to the  middle on certain downs.  Everson Griffen could also be a fit as a nice young defensive end prospect.

In round 2 the Jets can look for another pass catcher for Sanchez.  A guy like Dezmon Briscoe could be available.  He has good size and speed and would be an ideal no. 2 option for the Jets.  Another option would be Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard.  He is only 5’11 and 180 pounds soaking wet, but plays much faster than his forty time showed and runs exceptional routes.  He could be a nice option in the slot, and he tends to play his best in big spots.

Update 4-11
The Jets just acquired WR Santonio Holmes from the Steelers.   This pretty much takes them out of the WR market as far as the first two rounds are concerned.  They can now try to focus on filling the hole left by the Kerry Rhodes trade at safety and acquring a young defensive lineman with one of their early picks.  There are rumors swirling about that Holmes may miss the first 4 games of the season due to a suspension so the Jets may use a mid round pick on a pass catcher for depth.