2015 TST Community NFL Mock Draft: New York Jets Go DE With Mariota Gone

It's on to Gang Green and the Jets in the TST Community Mock Draft. Rainman23 has the mic:

#6,  New York Jets - Randy Gregory (DE, Nebraska)

The Jets need..... well.... just about EVERYTHING (Except OLD CBs)!!!!

After another 8-8 season and missing the playoffs once again the Jets fired Rex Ryan and Co. There QB play was sub-par (to be nice) As Geno Smith and Michael Vick formed a duo of turnover machines (15 ints and 7 fumbles) After being drafted in the 2nd round in 2013 a bit more was expected out of the West Virginia product. For the 2014 season, Smith finished the season with 2,525 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 14 games (13 starts).

The Jets defence wasn't it's usual Gang Green self as it continued its poor play from 2013 ranking 24th in points allowed for the second year in a row. That number is a tad misleading as there inept offence continuously put them in bad situations (Although it did run for the 3rd most yards in the league). The defence finished in the top half of rushing, passing, and total yards allowed.

So in comes Arizona Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles and his impressive run there.... because bringing in a Defensive guy to a team that is lopsided already makes sense, but Im not the owner. Along with him came Antonio Cromartie back to New York to join former Jet Derrell Revis in the backfield with first round pick Calvin Pryor (some of you here on TST may have heard his name a few times last draft season).

The Jets BIGGEST needs are QB, WR and OLB in their 3-4 defensive, specifically a pass rusher and with both top tier QBs already off of the board and the more polished Amari Cooper gone the Jets look to the linebackers still left on the board..... Vic Beasley and Dant6e Fowler may have been candidate for the 6 spot but they got snagged too!

Soooo....... Randy Gregory out of Nebraska is going to the Big Apple..........

Gregory comes with his fair share of ups and a whole lotta questions..... lets start with the positives.... while playing at 6'5" and 235lbs Gregory can be a beast all over the place. The Cornhusker defense asked him to move around a lot playing left and right defensive end, left and right outside linebacker and sometimes even tasked with playing middle linebacker, which has left him with a good total understanding of the defense. He has a massive wingspan (34-inch arms) and uses that length well to fight off blockers. Hes very good against power rushers and excells with his bull rush. He has a plan when pass-rushing and is an explosive player with quick, strong hands! The Jets could use a guy like this to pair with Quinton Coples on the outside to rush the passer and contain the run.

Now comes the downside..... At the combine Gregory weighed in at an amazingly light (for a man 6'5") at 216lbs, which brought up concerns of his ability to maintain weight. Here the Jets dont wory too much as the set him up with a personal chef and he bulks up (most guys can maintain weight one way or the other better in the NFL than in the college cafetorium) The bigger issue is his liking of the mary jane. He has tested positive 3 times now (twice at Nebraska and once at the combine) and will no doubtedly start his career in stage 1 of the NFLs substance program.

If the Jets can get this guys head and weight straight he could end up being a huge part of the Jets future. Now if they can find a guy to throw the ball they might be better off!

Interesting pick. I thought it would be West Virginia WR Kevin White as it was in the SBN Blogger Mock. No worries. It keeps things interesting as we move closer to the Rams at 10. It also keeps USC DT Leonard Williams available whom many have pegged as the best overall player in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Fun times.