The Jets spent the free agency period signing and trading for players to bolster their defense. In the draft, the focus now likely will shift to the offense.
The retirement of Brett Favre and the departure of Laveranues Coles to Cincinnati mean the 2009 Jets offense is going to look much different than the 2008 version. GM Mike Tannenbaum and new coach Rex Ryan have been huddling for weeks, formulating the draft plan that will get the Jets back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Here is a primer on what to expect in the April 25-26 NFL Draft:
THREE GOALS
Find a playmaking receiver: Favre took much of the blame down the stretch last season, but he was not the only problem. Opposing defensive coordinators said the Jets were hindered by their lack of a deep-threat receiver. Jerricho Cotchery is the only proven receiver returning, and he is more of a possession receiver. If one of the top receivers in the draft falls to the Jets in the first round, expect them to scoop him up.
Get a blocking tight end: Chris Baker and Bubba Franks are gone, leaving Dustin Keller as the team’s only true tight end. Keller showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season catching the ball, but often was removed in blocking situations. Barring an unlikely trade, the Jets are going to enter the season with a young, untested quarterback. That leaves a heavy burden on the running game. A tight end who can open up holes for Thomas Jones and Leon Washington is a must.
Add some depth on the defensive line: The Jets learned in Kris Jenkins’ first year with the team that he is going to need some rest throughout the season. The big nose tackle was a force for the first two months but faded down the stretch. The team also needs help at defensive end, where Shaun Ellis is getting older and Kenyon Coleman is serviceable but not much more.
FIVE WHO COULD BE JETS:
Percy Harvin, WR Florida
Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia
Brandon Pettigrew, TE Oklahoma State
Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State
Tyson Jackson, DE LSU
DON’T BE SURPRISED IF . . .
The Jets draft a quarterback. Publicly the team is backing Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff as its quarterbacks of the future, but if one of the top quarterbacks still is available at No. 17, the Jets will grab him. The Jets like Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman but both may be long gone by the time the Jets are on the clock. Tannenbaum could decide to trade up a few slots to grab one of them, too.
CALLING THE SHOTS:
This will be the first draft with Tannenbaum as general manager without Eric Mangini at his side. Instead of Tangini we now have T-Rex. How Ryan influences the draft remains to be seen. His background is all defense, but Ryan also comes from an organization in the Ravens where GM Ozzie Newsome is clearly the guy calling the shots. Tannenbaum’s drafting track record is pretty good. Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis and Washington all made the Pro Bowl last season. The jury is out on Vernon Gholston, but Keller, drafted with the team’s second pick in the first round last year, looks like a keeper.