The New York Jets need to do better next April
The Jets didn’t get a lot of immediate help in last April’s Draft but they got players who can help them down the road. Here is a quick look at how the guys they drafted did as rookies in the NFL:
Kyle Wilson: The Jets used the 29th pick of the first round on 23-year old corner Kyle Wilson out of Boise State. Wilson played in all 16 games for the Jets last season and he had 21 tackles and 5 passes defensed. Wilson also returned 15 punts for 111 yards (7.4 avg) and 2 kickoffs for 22 yards (11.0 avg) last year. Wilson could develop into a starter down the road for the Jets but only if he improves in coverage.
Vladimir Ducasse: In the 2nd round the Jets used the 61st overall pick on OG/OT Vladimir Ducasse out of Massachusetts. The 23-year old Ducasse is strong as an ox at 6’5″, 325 pounds but he’s very raw. He played in 2 games for the Jets last season but he didn’t start any of them. The Jets hope they can develop him into a starter down the road, but it’s going to take some time with him.
Joe McKnight: In the 4th round, the Jets used the 112th overall pick on 22-year old RB Joe McKnight out of USC. McKnight was buried behind L.T., Shonn Greene and Brad Smith at RB last season for the Jets. He played in 9 games for the Jets last season in which he carried the ball 39 times for 184 yards (4.8 ypc) and he caught 3 passes for 20 yards (6.7 avg). McKnight also helped out a tad on special teams with 2 punt returns for 43 yards (21.5 avg) and 3 kickoff returns for 60 yards (20.0 avg) last year. He also had 4 tackles last year. McKnight has the look of a third down back right now but he might develop into more down the road for the Jets.
John Conner: 23-year old fullback John Conner was drafted in the 5th round (#139 pick overall) out of Kentucky last April. Conner played in all 16 games for the Jets last season and he had 8 carries for 44 yards (5.5 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also caught 2 passes for 9 yards (4.5 avg). Conner also returned 3 kickoffs for 35 yards (11.7 avg) and he had 5 tackles last year. He could push Tony Richardson out of the NFL soon.
GRADE FOR 2010: C-
GRADE FOR THE FUTURE: C+
