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AFC East
1st Round (14th overall) Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
Revis is immediately penciled in as the Jets’ nickel back, but he wasn’t drafted just to take the field on passing downs. The Jets gave up a bundle to move up to grab him, and they fully expect Revis to supplant LCB Andre Dyson before the Autumn leaves hit the ground. The first cornerback off the board is arguably the best at his position in the draft. He will fit in nicely with Mangini’s defensive scheme, or can be called upon to shut down the opposing team’s best wide out. Revis is physical in run support, and his 4.38 speed will be an asset in the return game. New York got the much needed cornerback they coveted, and his impact will be felt immediately.
2nd Round (47th overall) David Harris, ILB, Michigan
Word in the War Room was that New England and/or Denver was prepared to make a move to acquire Harris, so Mangini and company swapped second-rounders with the Packers - and shipped off third and sixth rounders as well - for the rights to draft Jonathan Vilma’s sidekick. He’s got great athleticism, is physical, and should be a vocal leader on defense. He is very limited in coverage, so he won’t be anything more than a two-down ‘backer until his pass coverage improves. But he’s a strong between the tackles type of player, which plays to Mangini’s defensive scheme. He immediately jumped ahead of Anthony Schlegel on the depth chart and should eventually challenge Eric Barton for the starter’s job.
6th Round (177th overall) Jacob Bender, OT, Nicholls State
A four-year starter at OLT Nicholls State, Bender will learn under D' Brickashaw Ferguson, but will be groomed to play right tackle. He’s really considered more of a developmental type, and is probably headed for the practice squad. But keep in mind that management is not happy with their ORT status - Anthony Clement was reluctantly resigned, and Adrian Jones is nothing more that a stopgap - so if Bender shows promise in training camp, he could push Clement sooner than later.
7th Round (235th overall) Chansi Stuckey, WR, Clemson
The Jets took a flyer on the off-injured Stuckey, whose foot damage contributed to his slow 40-time at the combine. But he comes to a favorable situation in New York and could easily stick as the team’s third or fourth receiver. Justin McCareins is scheduled to make $2.9 million in 2007, too much for a third receiver whose receptions have diminished every year in the Big Apple. Brad Smith is still too raw, so Stuckey could easily challenge Tim Dwight for the slot position.
Summary
Quality over quantity was the draft-day theme for the Jets. They entered the draft with six picks and departed with four, but they worked the board efficiently and got the two key defensive cogs they were after. Bender has a nice upside and Stuckey could surprise, but it was all about improving a defense that was too often burned for the big play in the passing game, or couldn’t stop the run when it had to. The Jets made big strides in both areas, and another year in Mangini’s system will lend more stability and cohesiveness to the entire defensive unit. There is no reason to believe the Jets won’t give New England all it can handle as challengers for the Eastern Division title.
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