With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.The Jets have many needs going into the draft but by far the most pressing is cornerback. With Aaron Ross and Chris Houston still on the board it's basically a toss-up but I'll go with Chris Houston. I know a good portion of you are saying "well, I'm glad he's not our GM" but hear me out.
Houston's stock has risen significantly since most of the first mock's came out. Shortly after the football season ended an early mock promptly came out that had Houston going late in the first round and readers ripped into the author claiming he was a second round pick at best. So why has his stock risen so high? The answer is simple; Houston is a hard worker. He's worked his ass off throughout the offseason and done everything he can to generate interest from NFL franchises. That dedication never goes unnoticed and this time is no different.
Houston's size and overall athletic skill is so appealing that some mock's have him going as high as 18. Even ignoring the value at 25, he is exactly the kind of corner the Jets need right now. He is good at jamming a wide receiver, doesn't back down from anyone, breaks to the ball quickly and is very fluid. His one downfall seems to be his coverage awareness; something that can easily be fixed by a good NFL coach.
The Skinny
Team Needs: WR, CB, OT, OG, DT, OLB
Player Selected: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Also Considered: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas; Joe Staley, OT, Michigan; Greg Olsen, TE, Miami; Ben Gruggs, OG, Auburn; Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
No. 4 Bucs: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
See all mock draft picks so far
Next Pick:
No. 26: Eagles
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-14-2007 @ 1:51PM
Sean said...
I'm not sure why people keep on insisting that the Jets are taking a cornerback in the first round. It's unlikely for several reasons. For starters, corner is a position like quarterback- if you can really play, you're going to go in the top end of the round. The guys who are available at 25 are second round prospects masquarading as first round picks. Secondly, this is a deep corner draft, and the Jets have two second round picks. The dropoff from Chris Houston to Tanard Jackson isn't nearly great enough to justify burning the top pick on Houston. If you look at how the Patriots have drafted, they will take the last player in a position group with a top grade, taking the opportunity to trade down for additional picks. Grabbing the third best corner when he's barely distinguishable from the sixth-best corner is just poor drafting.
As it happens, the Jets also have more pressing needs than corner. Their offensive line was the worst run blocking unit in the league last year. They don't have any depth, Brandon Moore was poor last season and Pete Kendall, who played well, is getting old. My guess is the team takes Justin Blalock. He's the top rated player at his position, he has added value because he has experience at tackle and could double as a reserve tackle.
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4-15-2007 @ 12:52PM
jack daniels said...
i agree 100%
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4-16-2007 @ 1:09PM
ferris777wheel said...
I agree 90% because it should be Ben Grubbs NOY Justin Blaylock
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4-16-2007 @ 4:20PM
Vinnie Maggiulli said...
I've already declared that I'll be leaving school before my senior season to enter the draft. I hold a few school records (longest FG 49 yds vs. Rider), (most points in school history- 2321), (most FGs in a game- 12 vs. Rowan). I also hold numerous kicking records at Hanover Park HS. I expect to go as early as the 4th round- but playing for the Jets would be a dream come true.
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