2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: New York Jets

Tim Tebow.

That's all I have to say and I'm guaranteed to get clicks right?

That seems to be the philosophy of the New York Jets management as well given that bringing Tim Tebow to New York doesn't seem to make that much football sense.

Rex Ryan already has a famous quarterback who "just wins," but seems to lack the skills necessary to be an elite quarterback.

Now, Ryan has two, except the fans will be so excited for Tebow that unless the Jets go 13-3, win the division and at least go to a Super Bowl, there will be a dangerously high level of pressure to give Tebow more run.

You're taking the confidence of a player whose game is predicated on that confidence and completely undermining it by bringing in a player with the most ferocious following in the sport.

Then, you have the owner going on ESPN to say that Tebow is going to play 10-15 snaps a game unless he gets something going. In other words, if Tebow leads them to a touchdown, he'll keep playing and keep your supposed franchise quarterback (at least the guy you're paying to be one) on the bench.

This works at times in college. It doesn't in the NFL. I have no idea how this is going to play out, but I can't imagine a team in today's NFL winning a championship when you have a quarterback who you'd rather not play the whole game.

Rex Ryan was quiet this offseason, humble, even ingratiating. The Jets didn't throw money at every free agent on the market and actually lost a number of key contributors.

It's been a strange offseason to say the least and the Jets will need to have an extremely efficient draft in order to get back to the playoffs in 2012, particularly with holes at wide receiver, offensive line and pass rush to address.

Offense
Adding Tebow to this offense may make it a better rushing team, a critical piece for Rex Ryan's team which will almost certainly have another elite defensive season.

Shonn Green hasn't been able to stay healthy and LaDainian Tomlinson is a free agent. Joe McKnight has been dynamic in the return game and may be used more in the offense this year to create big plays.

Chaz Schilens was signed from Oakland to further supplement the big play department. Schilens started just five games for the Raiders last year, but is a talented young receiver who is 6-4 225 pounds and could play the role held by Plaxico Burress last year as the team's red zone target.

I love the potential of using Jeremy Kerley in the slot and wild cat, much like they used to with Brad Smith. Getting another receiver to groom as the future #1 could be a target for the Jets in the first or second round of the draft.

Also on the list of top draft needs offensively is some offensive line help, particularly at guard. This offensive line didn't play nearly as well in 2011 as it did the two previous seasons when the Jets pounded teams with the running game.

Dustin Keller has been an up and down player for the Jets as well so getting another athlete at tight end could help both the run and pass game.


Key Free Agents: Plaxico Burress WR, LaDainian Tomlinson RB, Robert Turner G

Defense
This defense relied more on scheme than talent last season and showed it's flaws when several starters were lost to injury.

LaRon Landry  was signed from Washington to mitigate the pending free agency of both starting safeties from last year. Jim Leonard may still return to the Jets and New York's poor play without him suggests Woody Hayes would be wise to find the right amount in his checkbook to keep Leonard.

Rex Ryan's creativity with blitz schemes coupled with the excellent corner talent on this team belies the fact that this defense lacks difference makers at outside linebacker and along the defensive front line.

Sione Pouha is one of the best nose tackles in the league, but the ends next to him are average at best. Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas, the team's returning starters at outside linebacker, combined for just 4.5 sacks last season.

Adding an athletic outside linebacker may make Jet fans nervous since the disaster named Vernon Gholston came through Manhattan, but New York could be back to dominating teams if it can find a way to get pressure without bringing extra rushers.

Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are good enough to force opposing quarterbacks to hold the ball an extra second, which means any kind of pass rush will give offenses fits.

Key Free Agents: Marquice Cole DB (signed w/ Patriots), Jim Leonard S, Brodney Poole S (signed w/ Cowboys), Sione Pouha DT (re-signed w/ Jets), Donald Strickland CB, Bryan Thomas OLB (re-signed w/ Jets), Jamaal Westerman OLB ( signed w/ Dolphins)

Draft Targets

Needs: OL,WR,OLB,RB,DL,S


Round 1 (Pick 16): Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame (Pos. Rank: 3, Overall Rank: 14)

It's sounding more and more like Floyd may not fall to the Jets here given the interest from teams inside the top 10 including Miami, Carolina and Jacksonville. If he does fall, the Jets will gladly take one of the most dominant receivers in college football over the past three seasons. Floyd isn't a burner, but is physical and has outstanding hands to make catches in traffic. Floyd would be a reach inside the top 10, but would have terrific value here. Mark Barron or Courtney Upshaw would make sense here if Floyd does come off the board sooner.


Round 2 (Pick 47): Bruce Irvin OLB West Virginia (Pos. Rank: 6, Overall Rank: 47)

I love this pick for New York because it gives them the kind of athletic talent they haven't had at outside linebacker in recent years. Irvin is a 4.4 athlete with suddenness off the edge. He actually played defensive end at West Virginia, so he's used to holding the edge against bigger tackles. With his quickness and burst, Rex Ryan could use Irvin all over the field and bring him from a number of angles on stunts and twists. If Muhammed Wilkerson can develop, these two could make it extremely tough for opponents to slide protections one direction without leaving themselves vulnerable on the other.

Round 3 (Pick 79): Jared Crick DE Nebraska (Pos. Rank: 9, Overall Rank: 74)

This is another pick that would be a stroke of luck for the Jets. Crick was once seen as a first round pick until a muscle tear set him back. Crick could play defensive end in either a 4-3 or 3-4 system and has the strength to hold the edge, plus ability to use his hands to fight off blocks and penetrate. Crick isn't going to be Richard Seymour or Justin Smith, but he certainly has the talent to start over Mike DeVito and be productive in this defense. Not an elite pass rusher, Crick is probably best suited to be a 3-4 end who can hold his gap and allow New York's talented inside linebackers to make plays behind him.

Overall

If the draft falls this way, the Jets would walk away with one of the best hauls in the league. They have needs at positions with deep pools of talent this year and the value of this draft (7+) would be elite. To also address critical position needs makes this class even better. All three players are starting caliber talents while Floyd and Irvin are both high-ceiling players, capable of being Pro Bowlers. Crick is going to be assignment sure and at the very least a quality rotation player on an excellent defense. I would say that qualifies this draft as a success.

Final Thought

If the Jets can get a receiver and one of the top pass rushers in this draft in the first two rounds, this team will be in the playoffs in 2012. Rex Ryan isn't just gregarious and confident, he's a hell of a coach and the Jets have too much talent to miss the playoffs two years in a row. There are plenty of reasons to be concerned, the quarterback situation being both the most obvious and most scrutinized. On the other hand, a healthy defense for a full season will again terrorize opponents and this offense should be better if it can land another receiver to stretch the field. Anything less than 10 wins and a playoff birth would be underachieving.