March 31, 2022 • 33 mins
It's episode nine of the Draft Preview Podcast as Host Ethan Greenberg and Dane Brugler talk about what makes Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson the potential number one overall selection (4:00). They discuss what defensive line options the Jets could have at pick No. 4 (8:10), why you bet on the physical traits of Georgia DL Travon Walker instead of production (9:30) and where Dane stands on Oregon edge Kayvon Thibodeaux as a top prospect (13:15). Dane then breaks down which defensive linemen makes the most sense for the Jets at pick No. 4 (17:30) before looking at the possibility of the Green & White landing Penn State's Arnold Ebiketie and Minnesota's Boye Mafe in the second round (20:30).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The New York Jet are now on the board in
New York has been one of the greatest questions. Zack
s Fifth Avenue brand that one right now, the New
York Jet Flick. Welcome to another episode of NFL Draft
Preview Ethan Greenberg, joined every week by the athletics Dane Brugler.
(00:23):
I dressed up for today's episode. We got a juicy one.
We're talking the defensive line. You know, Robert Salo loves
his defensive lineman. Joe Douglas probably likes his offensive lineman
a little more, but you know that he believes it
all starts up front. So I just want to start
with this, Dane. I feel like you never talk about
a draft class that is deep, specifically at edge. And
(00:44):
while there are no real blue chip players or so
you've told us, it feels like this class is kind
of an anomaly because you could get a quality player
not only in Round one, but all the way into
Day two and Day three. Yeah, I think so. And
every draft has its own identity, and a lot of times,
whatever the quarterbacks look like that kind of attaches itself
to whatever the identity is. But I think this draft class,
(01:06):
when we look back at it four or five years
from now. Uh. Yes, we're talking about the quarterbacks and
how that all shakes out, but I think we'll also
be talking about the pass rushers and the amount of
guys that are end up being quality NFL pros because
of what they bring to the field as as pass rushers,
as run defenders, as guys that can really impact the game.
(01:29):
And this draft has it at every single point in
the draft. So this is a great year to get
an edge dresher. It's kind of the opposite of what
we saw last year. Remember last year, we didn't have
a pass rusher in the top half around one. Uh.
This year we could see four pass rushers go top ten.
So I think the lack of quarterbacks helps a little
bit this year pushes some of these ed drushers up.
(01:50):
But there's no doubt that these guys deserve to be
talked about as early first round picks and guys that
have come in and contribute early. I just want to
set the table here. You just said it and or
and I said it too. There's no like Miles Garrett
boasts a brother Chase Young of this group. But when
you say there are quality NFL players, I think a
(02:11):
lot of people say, like, okay, well, like who is that?
Who is an example of a quality NFL player that's
maybe not the elite player or maybe just maybe it's
a It doesn't need to be a comp in terms
of player, but just in terms of production, in terms
of play snaps on any given Sunday, Like, what is
an equivalent for somebody that could be drafted in on
Day two or Day three and specifically and then we'll
(02:32):
talk about the round one guys later on. Yeah, well,
I mean we we've seen guys. Karl Lawson is a
good example of a guy who wasn't a first round
pick but was just you know, developed into a quality
pass rusher. Uh And a guy that is uh, you know,
viewed as someone that you have to game plan against.
When you're an offense going up against him, you have
(02:53):
to understand what he's doing at all times. Um. And
the leaks full of those guys that can really get
you pressure off the edge. And this year, like I said,
I think at every point in the draft first round,
we can see as many seven pass rushers go early
in that first round, but then on Day two and
Day three there really isn't much fall off and so
I think at every stage of the draft you are
(03:15):
going to be able to get someone that is going
to help your team in round two, round three, how
about Josh Pascal from Kentucky, a really good run defender,
UH is going to step in from day one, be
a strong part of your rotation. If you're looking for
a little more juice off the edge, how about Nick
Benito from Oklahoma. Really good first step you worry about
against the run, and you know his ability to hold
(03:37):
over first power. But a guy that is hard to
get your hands on because he has that edge speed,
has that ability UH to bend the edge, flatten out,
get to the quarterback. So, depending on what you're looking for,
I think this draft has it at bed rusher. All right,
let's start with potentially the number one overall pick in April,
Aidan Hutchinson out of Michigan. What makes him a potential
(03:59):
numb one overall selection? And I'm just curious, like, where
do you think he could have gone potentially in last
year's draft or in a in a class that had
a little more blue chip talent. Yeah, it's always tough
to do that exercise. When you look at last year,
we saw you know so many quarterbacks school early. Um,
you know he's not going ahead of Kyle Pitt's or
(04:20):
Jamaar Chase or uh, probably not going ahead of Penny Sewell. Um,
and then you know you've got the corners J C.
Horne Patrick certain so uh Hutchinson you know, might not
have been a top ten pick last year. It's a
very realistic scenario where you know, he goes eleven, twelve,
somewhere in that range. But he's still a really good player.
(04:41):
And I think you you feel good about his floor,
about what he's going to give you he gives. Uh,
He's the type of guy that the mentality that he
brings is almost as important as the physical skills. And
he has the physical skills. I think he could kind
of you know earmarked as that you know, uh, really
try hard, petitor over over, eager over. You know, a
(05:03):
guy that's just plays beyond his means. That type of guy.
But I mean he has the same three cone numbers
von Miller, Like this is not a bad athlete by
any means, but I think the mentality that he does
bring is something that that stands out as well. Um,
you know, talking to one of his his coaches, talking
and he mentioned how you know he can never go
on spring break because he wouldn't be able to, uh,
(05:27):
you know, reconcile the fact that he's not getting better,
Like he won't be able to relax because he's not
getting better at football. That's just how he's wired his
his mental makeup. And as an NFL team, you're looking
for those guys that you plug in there in the
trenches and UH is going to help you on the
field and off the field. So Adan Hutchinson has a
lot of what you're looking for. He's he doesn't have
necessarily that arc speed or the arc skills to say,
(05:51):
like one of the Bossa brothers, but he has the handwork,
he has the ability UH to win in different ways,
power quickness. Um, he's gonna be a double digitsat guy
in the NFL. And that's why he is the favorite
to be the number one overall pick. And if he
doesn't go one, he's probably gonna go two or three.
I'm not sure the Jets at four of a shot
at him, Well, that was gonna be. My question is
(06:11):
if he does not go number one overall, what's the
likelihood that he slides to four, doesn't feel like it's
very likely, but you know, never say never. That's why
the draft, That's why everybody loves the draft because it's
so unpredictable. But I will say between Detroit being there
and he's a Deer born native as somebody that works
for the Jets and Robert Sale is a Deer born native,
(06:32):
the storyline there is almost too good to be true.
I'm sure the Jets would love to have him on
their team as a player regardless, but I'm just you
mentioned him the favorite to be the number one overall selection.
You also had Ikey Kwantum number one overall in your
mock draft. You think that after Jacksonville's free agency that
that's now switched to Aidan Hutchinson in the number one
overall selection. Yeah, I think so. I think with what
(06:54):
they did and for agency bringing in Brandon Shurff at guard. Uh.
You know they drafted Walker Little on day to last
year at a Stanford a tackle they tagged Cam Robinson
um Joan Taylor is still there in the mix. So
I think offensive line wise, I think they're in a
good spot. They can still go offensive line that wouldn't
be a shock, or they could go Trayvon Walker out
of Georgia and bet On his freaky skill set. But
(07:18):
if they do go with who we believe is the favorite,
Aidan Hutchinson. Um, I don't think anybody would be surprised
now if they didn't. And I just can't see Adan
Hutchinson falling past Detroit at number two. And he just
feels like a Dan Campbell type of guy. Uh, they
need pass Rush and again a guy, a Michigan guy
who grew up just outside of Detroit. So uh, you know,
the geography shouldn't really factor into this, but you know
(07:42):
it's still something that would be a natural fit in
terms of someone that and still understands the culture that
part of the country. Um. Yeah, I think Aidan Hutchinson
going one or two. It's hard to envision anything else
happening there. So let's assume that Aidan Hutchinson is off
the board by the time the Jet select at number four.
Do you think that guys like Cavon Thibodeau, Travon Walker,
(08:05):
all those guys are available for the Jets taking or
you think that somebody could potentially be selected two or
three overall? Yeah, I definitely think that like Travon Walker.
If he goes top three, that shouldn't surprise anybody. Um.
You know, there's just not many guys that have his ability,
his length, his athleticism, his size, his power, um. And
(08:27):
you know, people will point to the lack of pass
rush production and they just have to understand the context
of what he was asked to do in that Georgia defense.
We've talked about it before. How uh he wasn't asked
to just pin his ears back and go. He was
asked to hold a point of attack, uh, lockout and
you know give you know, the linebackers free reign to
rush and get after the quarterback. So but when he
(08:47):
was able to get in to the quarterback and rush,
you see the ability. And I mean that's why he
was my number six overall player before the combine, before
he kind of blew things up. And um so I
think he was already in that top ten discussion. Now
after he tested, and you look at the raw trades,
you think, okay, now he could go even higher. And
if you're the Lions at two the Texans at three,
(09:08):
I think you're looking at Trevon Walker and what he
could be to three years from now and thinking all right, Yeah,
we'll bet on that and feel good about the guy
that we're bringing to our program. Does it worry you
at all that maybe Travon Walker isn't as bendy as
some natural pass rushers, or you think that his size
and speed, his athletic traits. I saw the what is
(09:30):
it the r I s the nine point nine nine
athletic ability. I mean it's just freaky stuff we're talking about.
Why as an evaluator, do you bet on that compared
to things that you might not have seen from him
at Georgia? Yeah? I don't. There's different ways to rush
the passer. You know, you don't have to be Von
Miller to be a bona fide uh, you know, legit
(09:54):
all pro pass rusher. You could look more like a J. J.
Watt And that's Trevon Walker. He looks more like an J. J.
Watt six five two seventy two pounds, uh, thirty five
and a half inch arms and he still was a
six eight nine three cone that that's remarkable explosive lower body. Uh.
And you know, just watching the combine drills and watching
(10:14):
him do the hoop drill was just mind blowing. Uh.
He's so long that he barely has to bend uh
to to you know, uh run the hoop, but he
does it so quick and so efficiently, so easily. So
there's different ways to Russia Passer, and I think Trayvon
Walker has got a little bit of both. Where he
has power, he has length, but he also has quickness,
he has some bend, some flexibility to him. So, yes,
(10:36):
is there projection involved the Travon Walker, No doubt about it.
And that's why we're not talking about the slam dunk
number one overall pick. We're talking about a guy that's
in the top ten discussion, likely to go top three,
top five. But you know, a guy that has all
the ability, and it's it's not like he can't do it,
it just he wasn't asked to do it. And so
you feel like you're getting a guy who just twenty
(10:58):
one years old on the up trajectory of what he's
going to be. So remember the NFL draft and scouting,
it's all about not what you've done, that's what you're
going to do, you know, projecting forward. And when you
project your fun Walker forward, it's hard not to get excited.
Fair enough, and I know you've been, you've been beating
that drum for a long time. So I'm excited to
(11:19):
see what happens with Travon Walker in April, in late April.
It's almost April, which is crazy. So and just to
put things out there, like, I know you're running on fumes.
Dane's working on his draft guide. It's almost there. What
is your all right? How about this over under Dane?
Four and a half diet mountain dews a day. So
(11:44):
in the last week, I I limit myself to two
um the bottle so not cans. So it's you know
where the sixteen ounce bottles whatever they are. Yeah, I
I forced myself not to have more than two so
I can see my kids graduate one day. Um but no,
it's uh trying to drink a lot of water. But
(12:08):
then yeah, I mean I have to offset it with
some type of caffeine to you know, just keep the
juices coffee though I'm not a coffee drinker. No, I
mean one of my one of my secrets is, um,
I got a lot of Christmas cookies, uh in the
freezer and so uh, you know, midnight one am, take
you know, three cookies out of the freezer and uh,
(12:30):
you know, a little sugar rush, just that last hour
or two before I go to bed, just to just
to get that done. So that's I'm doing this a
long time, you know. And plus having four young kids,
you know, it's you learn these different habits at night
to kind of give you that extra juice. And so
I've got my own regiment, all right. And more importantly,
does Jack's your dogs stay up during the night with
(12:52):
you while you're watching film? And does he get a
little cookie once in a while. No, he's but he
he is up. I mean he yeah, he's lays at
my eaten uh, you know, before he goes to bed.
So yeah, he's easiest to long hours and he knows
the drill. He's been doing this long time. Alright. Fair enough, Well,
on that note, let's move on to Cavon Thibodeau, because
it feels like Cavon Thibodeau is the one of those
(13:15):
guys that's also in that top five projection. He's also
been projected to be potentially top twelve or so. So
where do you stand on Cavon Thibodeau as a prospect,
excluding everything that's potentially polarizing about him as a person,
more so just as a player. Yeah, and there's plenty
to like as a as a player. Um, you know
you're you're getting a guy that's six four, so maybe
(13:38):
not quite the size that you know you expected. Um,
a little lighter than you want. Um, you know, decent
length over thirty three in arms, but not commanding length.
But I think what helps with him he uses that
forward lean so he can get into blockers drive them backwards. Um.
He has a lot of power to what he does
(13:58):
and strengthen his hands, ends powerful jab steps. Um. You know,
there's different ways that he can win. And he's not
the most fluid guy. That's that's not how uh he
gets after the after the quarterback. But you do see
him rushed with upfield urgency. Uh. He has some cornering skills. Um.
You know he's he's he's got different go to moves
(14:20):
that he that he has that again, they all revolve
more around power than necessarily him out athleting everybody. UM.
So length, flexibility, hand strength. Do you do see a
lot of Dave Young Clowney there and Neil Clowney. I
don't Has he lived up to being the number one
overall pick? Probably not, um, but he's been a really
(14:42):
quality pass rusher h since he's entered the league when
he's been healthy, So whether it's the Texans, the Titans,
or the Browns, or he's bounced around, he's kind of
been like a higher gun, uh, to be that pass
rusher who's going to give you quality reps as a
run defender and as a pass rusher. So if Cavon
Cavon Thibodeaux has the same type of career as uh
(15:04):
Jadeveon Clowney, I don't think that'd be surprising for Cavon Thibodeau,
does it? Were you at all about the competition that
he played and the tackles that he's faced, specifically this
past season, that's absolutely fair. I mean the packed twelve.
You know, Abraham Lucas from Washington State has a has
a good chance to get drafted in the top one hundred. Uh.
(15:26):
Kellen Diche from Arizona State is a pretty good left
tackle who will be drafted likely on Day three. But
you know, they're just it's not a league known for
at least for the left tackles right now. Um, you
know they haven't a pass but the last year not
necessarily a ton of high end talent and that's something
that is part of the discussion because it's not like
(15:47):
he uh, you know, he watched one tape and he
doesn't necessarily get you overly excited yet. Seven sacks uh
decent pressure rate. But for a guy with his talent,
you did expect a little bit more. He was banged
up quite a bit, missed Ohio State game, miss parts
of other games. But again, for a guy with his talent,
(16:08):
you just expected a little bit more. But I mean, nonetheless,
he still let it worgan in sacks, let it organ
and tackles for loss. I mean, he was a unanimous
All American, probably more based off of name recognition than anything.
But um, we're talking about you know, just like we're
we're it's it's okay to critique Travon Walker for not
having more production. Same thing with keV On Tibodeau. When
(16:29):
you watch this tape, you, for a guy being talked
about is a top five potential, top seven pick, you
just expected maybe a little more dominance at that level
of competition. And then lastly, here feels like the final
guy and let's say the quartet of pass rushers that
could be pretty viable options at four through ten and
potentially after that. The last guy's Jermaine Johnson, who maybe
(16:53):
in January before the Senior Bowl, not a whole lot
of NFL draft fans, not guys named Damon Brugler, because
you definitely knew about him, but people didn't really know
about him. And then he had a fantastic week in Mobile,
he had a fantastic combine and it sure seems like
that he's put himself in the conversation to be a
top ten selection. So I ask you this, Dane. Of
(17:14):
the four guys, let's say, Hutchins, say the three guys.
Hutchinson's off the board. You got Walker, you got Thibodeau,
you got Jermaine Johnson. The Jets are at four overall,
which one of these players makes the most sense for
the team based on talent and more importantly, based on
scheme fit. I'm going Dravan Walker. I'm betting on those
(17:35):
traits every day. Um but I I you can easily
make a case feeling to you guys as well. And
Jermaine Johnson, Yeah, he was the top defensive player going
into the Senior Bowl, and after what he did in Mobile,
I mean, he kind of put any doubt to rest there. Uh,
with the way he played at the Senior Bowl. Practices
a very good run defender, really good pass rusher. Maybe
(17:55):
not elite in any one of those areas, but he's
just good across the board. Um, you know, bet out
himself transferring from Georgia. I think most people know his
story by now. Uh, leading the a CEC and sacks
tackles for a loss. Just a really quality player who
maybe not doesn't have that elite get off, but he
plays his length, he plays with the agility, active hands. Uh,
he has a plan to what he's doing his rush attack.
(18:18):
He can win in different ways. Uh. He's very athletic
on the edge, so he can play the run. He
has power so he can work off blocks and make
stops in the backfield. So there's just a lots of
like about what he's gonna bring. And you know, very quickly.
I mean he is you know, he's already twenty three
years old. He's you know, he's in college for five years,
but he's ready to come in and be an NFL
(18:39):
starter very quickly as a rookie. So would not be
hard to talk to yourself into Jermaine Johnson, even as
high as number four, Okay, I'm glad you asked that,
because I feel like a lot of the mock drafts
have Jermaine Johnson at number ten. And if you're the
Jets just playing Devil's advocate, let's say you're convinced he's
gonna be selected five through nine. Is full? Are too rich?
(19:00):
You say no, no, And especially if saying Trevon Walkers
off the board in that scenario, Um, you know, because
there's a good chance Adan Hudginson goes one or two
and then Travon Walker goes two or three. And if
that happens, and you know, the Jets are looking at
their options, could go offensive, line, could go wide, receiver,
could go corner. But Jeremy Johnson sitting there and I
don't you probably don't feel great that he's gonna last
(19:22):
you at ten. Now there's a chance that he could,
but I don't think you feel great about that. And
if you love the player, and you you know, you
think you know what you're getting with him. And I
think that's part of the appeal which Jeremaine Johnson, you
know what you're getting with him. I don't think there's
not you know, with Trevon Walker, A little bit of
a projection there with Kaylon Thibodeaux, a little bit of
a projection there because of, you know, some of the
(19:43):
some of the other things you have to worry about
with him. Jeremy Johnson not quite doesn't have that with
so I think that you know, when you look at
Johnson used to run out of reasons why not you know,
why he shouldn't be a top fifteen pick, Why you
should it be a top ten pick, Why you shouldn't
be in the conversation number four? So I think absolutely
Jermaine Johnson, especially if walkers off the board, Jaremaine Johnson,
(20:05):
should at least be in that conversation if they want
to go pass rusher number four. All right, so now
let's move on a round two. The Jets have thirty
five and thirty eight right now as we record. You
mentioned two guys earlier at the top of the show.
The Jets also had Arnold that mcketty from Penn State
boy Mafe out of Minnesota on their team during Senior
Bowl week. You think both of those guys also could
(20:26):
be viable options for the Jets at either thirty five
or thirty eight or some of those guys might creep
up into the back half a round one. Yeah, as
gonna say, they definitely would would be if they're there
in the thirties. Um, I think both could easily go
in the first round. Uh. You know, we know pass
rushers go pretty quickly. Last year we saw run on
those guys in the late first round Quitty pay and
(20:47):
um Adolphe oh Way, Uh Gregory were so Peyton Turner.
I mean, those guys, those pass rushers flew off the
board in the late first and we could see, you know,
a similar type of thing in this year's for round,
late first round with Arnol Ebucketty and uh boy Mafe
maybe Logan Hall from Houston. So that makes sense. But
if one word has slipped through the cracks and be
(21:09):
there in the early second, uh yeah, I think the
Jets would be all over that, especially if they don't
go pass rusher. Obviously a four or ten uh Ebuketty
a Temple transfer who is a really long player. He's
got thirty four over thirty four inch arms. Um it
doesn't look like you know, he's six two and a
half to fifty, but his length really stands out and
that's how he wins he has speed off the edge,
(21:31):
explosive first step uh, uses his hands well, um, and
his motor just doesn't quit. I mean he makes plays
away from the line of scrimmage he has no business making.
But because of that motor always revving. Uh, it's something
that is a strong selling point with him. Does he
need refinement, Uh, yes, especially versus the run. But with
(21:51):
a guy with his length, his first step, quickness, and
with his relentless hustle, you're gonna bet on that every time.
So Arnold Ebuketty, I think I just made a case
why he be there in the thirties. But why if
he is, the Jets should be all over him? All right?
How about this thing? Can you give us somebody, let's say,
day three, who you really think that he has a
(22:12):
chance to develop into a quality starter and let's say
he's available for the Jets on day three somewhere. Well,
we talked about um. I believe we talked about him
with the mock draft with Christopher Allen Um out of Alabama. UM.
I think he's a guy that's flying under the radar
right now because of his injury. I think he'd be
in that mix. Um Murray Barno from Virginia Tech for
(22:35):
in the fastest forty yard dash of any pass rusher
at the combine. I think he's a guy that you
could develop. He needs time, he needs work. But when
you have that type of speed and add that type
of length and that ability, just you know, bring bring
him to the in our program and we'll we'll get
get the most out of him. So, uh, there's We
talked about how this pass rusher class every step of
(22:57):
the draft is going to be guys. There's gonna be
good players. They get pushed to Day three, and you know,
there's only so many spots for these guys that go.
So even a guy like say Cameron Thomas from San
Diego State who played really well this year and we thought, okay,
probably gonna be a second round pick. But you know
when you start laying it out, all of a sudden,
well maybe probably go more third round. Maybe he goes
(23:18):
to the fourth round. Just because there's such a high
volume of pass rushers and these edge guys that someone's
going to fall to the fourth, fifth round. And it
could be a guy like Cameron Thomas, could be a
guy like Jesse Lookeetta from Penn State, Um, so there's
several pass rushers who you could get a good value
one in those middle rounds. Jesse Lookeetta also a guy
(23:38):
that the Jets coached up at the Senior BROWL. Somebody
could keep an eye on there. And Uh, who's the
other guy, Dominique Robinson. Yeah, Miami, Ohio really really a
former wide receiver, never started a game at pass rusher
in his life. He was a sub package guy for
the RedHawks. And uh, but you know, his his athleticism
and his power, I mean, he's there's something there. And
(23:59):
so like, I'll be surprised if he doesn't go third round.
But if he doesn't, oh yeah, heck yeah, that's that's
a heck of a value in the fourth round. Also,
the Jets have the sixty nine overall selection right now
in the third round, something to keep an eye on
as well. You know you said the red Hawks. It
just made me think of all the scouting that you do.
What is like your favorite team name? You gotta have one, right, Yeah,
(24:21):
that's a good question. Um, well, and it's because I
was um, I was watching Uh it's not the team name,
not the mascot, but I discovered Castleton, Uh college or university.
Um uh the other day. Uh, there's a they have
a Division three school. They have a pass rusher who
tested pretty well at his pro day. Um. But as
(24:42):
small school in Vermont, who uh you know, it's got
got got a talented uh a little talented program up there.
So Castleton it sounded like a fun school. So I
discovered that which I didn't know much about. Okay, all right,
and what years is for you doing the draft and
whatever it is, You're still learning. That's what makes a
great thing that great, always learning every year. There's there
(25:03):
seems to be like one school that I, you know,
never heard of, and you know it's Central Methodist or
it's uh, you know, American International, or you know, there's
just a lot of different schools that you know, whether
it's an ai A Division two, Division three, um, you know,
there's a lot of levels of schools and football players
trying to get their name out there. So it's a
(25:25):
it's fun to learn about these guys when they hit
my desk. Alright, great, this is how I want to
wrap this episode. You kind of talk, It's been a
kind of a theme of your answers, like if that
guy is there in the top of round two. If
that guy is there at the top of round four,
like Dominique Robinson. So let me ask you this. Last year,
there was a guy that the Jets elected, Alijah More.
If he's there in round two, you're probably turning in
(25:47):
the card. He was there. They did just that. So
not just defensive lines like I'm I want the full
scope of positions here that I want to ask you about.
And if you're the Jets, like who are more? Are
guys like Elijah More that could go in the back
half around one but also could slip through the cracks
be there around two and you're turning, You're running up
(26:08):
the card with happiness saying this is who was there
and we want we wanted this guy. We thought about
trading up like the Jets did with Elijah More, and
he said, you know what, we're gonna We're gonna stay
here and then we're gonna select him there. I think
there's three, maybe three positions we could look at here,
so you know the receivers um. If we know that,
(26:29):
you know, guys like Garrett Wilson, Drake London, Jamison Williams,
probably they're gonna go early. Is there one or two
of these guys that would fall a little bit, whether
it's Crystal LaVey, whether it's Johan Dotson, some of these guys,
would they fall a little bit, and if they do,
maybe the jetst pounds. Um. I'm really interested in the
secondary as well though, the safeties. You know, Kyle Hamilton's who,
(26:53):
by the way, didn't not run well it was pro day.
He's actually were in slower at his pro day than
he did the combine, which is very surprising to see. Um.
I Cayle Hampton's you know, I've kind of been saying
he's not gonna go maybe as early as people think, um,
throughout the process, and I mean I wouldn't be surprised
if he doesn't go top ten. Um. But after Kyle
(27:14):
Hamilton is off the board, you know who's that next
safety is at Dax Hill? Is it Louis Senem But
you know we could see maybe that's that who's that
number two safety? And where does he go? Could he
slip to the early part of the second round. And
that's a part where part of the draft where the
Jets would be all over a guy like scene who uh,
you know, they can help fortify the back end of
their defense UM. But and then same thing with corners
(27:36):
after Sauce Gardners off the board, uh, Trent McDuffie UM,
and then Derek Stingley. Is there another corner that they
have a first round grade on or an early second
round grade on. Who you know, and Andrew Booth at
a Clemson UM somebody like that who could go easily
go late first round. But the Jets, you know that
they've got their eye on them, and they just kind
(27:56):
of crossing their fingers that he falls to the early seconds.
So there's death only a good mix of those guys
and maybe throughout David A. Jobo as well from Michigan,
who unfortunately the torn achilles at his pro day, most
likely going to have some type of red shirt ear,
which he was going to anyways because he's such a
young player. But now that you factor in the injury
and all of a sudden, there's a more there's gonna
(28:19):
be a likely chance he's available after round one. So
it'll probably go somewhere on day two and if the
Jets are comfortable with the injury and the timeline of
when he's gonna have, you know, until he's gonna get
back and healthy and contribute. Uh, David A. Jobo is
as a name that's on the radar now that maybe
you weren't talking about a couple of weeks ago, you know,
(28:41):
after I forgot to bring this up. But you know,
I was so focused on the edge guys. I think
maybe one of the guys that could be included in
that conversation potentially stuck his way in around one. You
tell me if I'm wrong here. After Jordan Davis out
of Georgia, I'm looking at Travis Jones out of Yukon,
who had a good senior BAWLLL week. If you're the Jets,
are you is he in that same ball where maybe
he could be in like picks twenty to thirty two,
(29:03):
And if not, if he's there at thirty five or
thirty eight and you want to add some depth up front,
you're running that up as well. Absolutely, I'm a big
Travis Jones fan. Something about Yukon defensive tackles. I was
a big fan of Fadakasih right. Uh. Uh. You went
a couple of years ago and Jets drafted him. They
got him what fifth sixth round? Uh? Yeah, And so
(29:25):
you know, Travis Jones is a really good player. He's
gonna go much earlier than the sixth round. Uh could
easily go top top thirty somewhere for a team. But
if he were to fall a little bit, I think
he's For the longest time, I was saying, instead of
Jordan Davison round one, just wait till day two, get
Travis Jones after the Senior Bowl, after what he did
(29:45):
the combine Travis Jones. Uh, it's he's moved himself up.
There's no doubt guys like him go top fifty all
day and uh, possibly even the first round. So a
guy that can win with quickness, he's got power. Uh.
No one could block him at the Senior Bowl and
one on ones. So you've got a guy that's able
to play with that type of momentum at his size,
played through his hips. Uh, he just creates problems for
(30:08):
blockers because of an athleticism, because of an explosive this
both his upper party and his lower body. He can
too gap. Um, you know he could be disruptive. So
Travis Jones, I mean again, I think I just laid
out the reasons why he probably won't be an option
for the Jets. He's not gonna make it there. But
if he does, um, I wouldn't be surprised to see
if the the Jets pounce on him. Crazier things have happened.
(30:29):
I think that, you know, potentially Jones being there. Yeah, yeah,
you're right, You're absolutely right. So this is how we're
gonna wrap up this episode. Here, We're gonna have I
don't want to say, like a a mock draft, but
if you could choose one player, right you have, you
have a crystal ball. Yeah, and you could choose one
player to fall to the Jets at thirty five or
(30:51):
thirty eight after whoever you want to choose at four
and ten, And you think this is like an absolute
home run of a draft. So let's say, and you case,
you're probably looking at Travon Walker at four. I don't
know who you're looking at at ten, whether that's a receiver,
whether that's a corner defense of another edge player, anybody
you want at ten? Who's the player at thirty five
(31:13):
that slipped through the cracks at the end of round
one to turn a very good draft into a great
draft after the Jets first three picks? How how realistic
do I need to be? I mean, it's semi realistic.
I maybe the most perfect scenario is so many teams
are scared off by Jamison Williams a c L injury,
(31:35):
that he slips through the cracks a little bit, falls
the thirty five and that just jump all over. I
don't think that there's like a two percent chance of
that happening. Um I I if the just one and
have to take him at ten, um, and who knows,
you can go eat he might even be available at ten.
He he's that good of a player. But with with
an a c L injury, just you know, you don't
know how how teams are gonna respond to that. UM
(31:57):
More realistically, probably say one of these safeties, whether it's
Dax Hill from Michigan or Louis Scene from Georgia. I
think two guys that are gonna come in and really
help and really help it back in your defense. Guys
that can play play the run really well, they can
cover um and you know they're they're really gonna give
you something. So I think those, uh, those two guys
(32:17):
that make sense both could easily go top thirty two.
But if they were gonna slip a little bit, I
think the Jets would not be upset to see them
on the board when they pick and round two. All right,
so Dane has Travon Walker, Jamison Williams and either Dax
Hill or Louis Scene. Is that that what we're run
in the cart in March twenty nine. That sounds like
a home run to me. I mean, if you're if
this team is confident and where the offensive line is
(32:40):
right now with McKay Beckton, and then you're able to
and if that's the case, you're able to really address
the defensive line, you're able to address receiver boost a secondary.
I mean, that's that that's exactly what you want to
do through the draft. That that that sounds like a home
run the main. All right, that's a great way to
end this episode of NFL Draft Preview Day. And thanks
(33:00):
a lot. We'll talk to you next week, all right.
Thanks EA.
The New York Jet are now on the board in
New York has been one of the greatest questions. Zack
s Fifth Avenue brand that one right now, the New
York Jet Flick. Welcome to another episode of NFL Draft
Preview Ethan Greenberg, joined every week by the athletics Dane Brugler.
(00:23):
I dressed up for today's episode. We got a juicy one.
We're talking the defensive line. You know, Robert Salo loves
his defensive lineman. Joe Douglas probably likes his offensive lineman
a little more, but you know that he believes it
all starts up front. So I just want to start
with this, Dane. I feel like you never talk about
a draft class that is deep, specifically at edge. And
(00:44):
while there are no real blue chip players or so
you've told us, it feels like this class is kind
of an anomaly because you could get a quality player
not only in Round one, but all the way into
Day two and Day three. Yeah, I think so. And
every draft has its own identity, and a lot of times,
whatever the quarterbacks look like that kind of attaches itself
to whatever the identity is. But I think this draft class,
(01:06):
when we look back at it four or five years
from now. Uh. Yes, we're talking about the quarterbacks and
how that all shakes out, but I think we'll also
be talking about the pass rushers and the amount of
guys that are end up being quality NFL pros because
of what they bring to the field as as pass rushers,
as run defenders, as guys that can really impact the game.
(01:29):
And this draft has it at every single point in
the draft. So this is a great year to get
an edge dresher. It's kind of the opposite of what
we saw last year. Remember last year, we didn't have
a pass rusher in the top half around one. Uh.
This year we could see four pass rushers go top ten.
So I think the lack of quarterbacks helps a little
bit this year pushes some of these ed drushers up.
(01:50):
But there's no doubt that these guys deserve to be
talked about as early first round picks and guys that
have come in and contribute early. I just want to
set the table here. You just said it and or
and I said it too. There's no like Miles Garrett
boasts a brother Chase Young of this group. But when
you say there are quality NFL players, I think a
(02:11):
lot of people say, like, okay, well, like who is that?
Who is an example of a quality NFL player that's
maybe not the elite player or maybe just maybe it's
a It doesn't need to be a comp in terms
of player, but just in terms of production, in terms
of play snaps on any given Sunday, Like, what is
an equivalent for somebody that could be drafted in on
Day two or Day three and specifically and then we'll
(02:32):
talk about the round one guys later on. Yeah, well,
I mean we we've seen guys. Karl Lawson is a
good example of a guy who wasn't a first round
pick but was just you know, developed into a quality
pass rusher. Uh And a guy that is uh, you know,
viewed as someone that you have to game plan against.
When you're an offense going up against him, you have
(02:53):
to understand what he's doing at all times. Um. And
the leaks full of those guys that can really get
you pressure off the edge. And this year, like I said,
I think at every point in the draft first round,
we can see as many seven pass rushers go early
in that first round, but then on Day two and
Day three there really isn't much fall off and so
I think at every stage of the draft you are
(03:15):
going to be able to get someone that is going
to help your team in round two, round three, how
about Josh Pascal from Kentucky, a really good run defender,
UH is going to step in from day one, be
a strong part of your rotation. If you're looking for
a little more juice off the edge, how about Nick
Benito from Oklahoma. Really good first step you worry about
against the run, and you know his ability to hold
(03:37):
over first power. But a guy that is hard to
get your hands on because he has that edge speed,
has that ability UH to bend the edge, flatten out,
get to the quarterback. So, depending on what you're looking for,
I think this draft has it at bed rusher. All right,
let's start with potentially the number one overall pick in April,
Aidan Hutchinson out of Michigan. What makes him a potential
(03:59):
numb one overall selection? And I'm just curious, like, where
do you think he could have gone potentially in last
year's draft or in a in a class that had
a little more blue chip talent. Yeah, it's always tough
to do that exercise. When you look at last year,
we saw you know so many quarterbacks school early. Um,
you know he's not going ahead of Kyle Pitt's or
(04:20):
Jamaar Chase or uh, probably not going ahead of Penny Sewell. Um,
and then you know you've got the corners J C.
Horne Patrick certain so uh Hutchinson you know, might not
have been a top ten pick last year. It's a
very realistic scenario where you know, he goes eleven, twelve,
somewhere in that range. But he's still a really good player.
(04:41):
And I think you you feel good about his floor,
about what he's going to give you he gives. Uh,
He's the type of guy that the mentality that he
brings is almost as important as the physical skills. And
he has the physical skills. I think he could kind
of you know earmarked as that you know, uh, really
try hard, petitor over over, eager over. You know, a
(05:03):
guy that's just plays beyond his means. That type of guy.
But I mean he has the same three cone numbers
von Miller, Like this is not a bad athlete by
any means, but I think the mentality that he does
bring is something that that stands out as well. Um,
you know, talking to one of his his coaches, talking
and he mentioned how you know he can never go
on spring break because he wouldn't be able to, uh,
(05:27):
you know, reconcile the fact that he's not getting better,
Like he won't be able to relax because he's not
getting better at football. That's just how he's wired his
his mental makeup. And as an NFL team, you're looking
for those guys that you plug in there in the
trenches and UH is going to help you on the
field and off the field. So Adan Hutchinson has a
lot of what you're looking for. He's he doesn't have
necessarily that arc speed or the arc skills to say,
(05:51):
like one of the Bossa brothers, but he has the handwork,
he has the ability UH to win in different ways,
power quickness. Um, he's gonna be a double digitsat guy
in the NFL. And that's why he is the favorite
to be the number one overall pick. And if he
doesn't go one, he's probably gonna go two or three.
I'm not sure the Jets at four of a shot
at him, Well, that was gonna be. My question is
(06:11):
if he does not go number one overall, what's the
likelihood that he slides to four, doesn't feel like it's
very likely, but you know, never say never. That's why
the draft, That's why everybody loves the draft because it's
so unpredictable. But I will say between Detroit being there
and he's a Deer born native as somebody that works
for the Jets and Robert Sale is a Deer born native,
(06:32):
the storyline there is almost too good to be true.
I'm sure the Jets would love to have him on
their team as a player regardless, but I'm just you
mentioned him the favorite to be the number one overall selection.
You also had Ikey Kwantum number one overall in your
mock draft. You think that after Jacksonville's free agency that
that's now switched to Aidan Hutchinson in the number one
overall selection. Yeah, I think so. I think with what
(06:54):
they did and for agency bringing in Brandon Shurff at guard. Uh.
You know they drafted Walker Little on day to last
year at a Stanford a tackle they tagged Cam Robinson
um Joan Taylor is still there in the mix. So
I think offensive line wise, I think they're in a
good spot. They can still go offensive line that wouldn't
be a shock, or they could go Trayvon Walker out
of Georgia and bet On his freaky skill set. But
(07:18):
if they do go with who we believe is the favorite,
Aidan Hutchinson. Um, I don't think anybody would be surprised
now if they didn't. And I just can't see Adan
Hutchinson falling past Detroit at number two. And he just
feels like a Dan Campbell type of guy. Uh, they
need pass Rush and again a guy, a Michigan guy
who grew up just outside of Detroit. So uh, you know,
the geography shouldn't really factor into this, but you know
(07:42):
it's still something that would be a natural fit in
terms of someone that and still understands the culture that
part of the country. Um. Yeah, I think Aidan Hutchinson
going one or two. It's hard to envision anything else
happening there. So let's assume that Aidan Hutchinson is off
the board by the time the Jet select at number four.
Do you think that guys like Cavon Thibodeau, Travon Walker,
(08:05):
all those guys are available for the Jets taking or
you think that somebody could potentially be selected two or
three overall? Yeah, I definitely think that like Travon Walker.
If he goes top three, that shouldn't surprise anybody. Um.
You know, there's just not many guys that have his ability,
his length, his athleticism, his size, his power, um. And
(08:27):
you know, people will point to the lack of pass
rush production and they just have to understand the context
of what he was asked to do in that Georgia defense.
We've talked about it before. How uh he wasn't asked
to just pin his ears back and go. He was
asked to hold a point of attack, uh, lockout and
you know give you know, the linebackers free reign to
rush and get after the quarterback. So but when he
(08:47):
was able to get in to the quarterback and rush,
you see the ability. And I mean that's why he
was my number six overall player before the combine, before
he kind of blew things up. And um so I
think he was already in that top ten discussion. Now
after he tested, and you look at the raw trades,
you think, okay, now he could go even higher. And
if you're the Lions at two the Texans at three,
(09:08):
I think you're looking at Trevon Walker and what he
could be to three years from now and thinking all right, Yeah,
we'll bet on that and feel good about the guy
that we're bringing to our program. Does it worry you
at all that maybe Travon Walker isn't as bendy as
some natural pass rushers, or you think that his size
and speed, his athletic traits. I saw the what is
(09:30):
it the r I s the nine point nine nine
athletic ability. I mean it's just freaky stuff we're talking about.
Why as an evaluator, do you bet on that compared
to things that you might not have seen from him
at Georgia? Yeah? I don't. There's different ways to rush
the passer. You know, you don't have to be Von
Miller to be a bona fide uh, you know, legit
(09:54):
all pro pass rusher. You could look more like a J. J.
Watt And that's Trevon Walker. He looks more like an J. J.
Watt six five two seventy two pounds, uh, thirty five
and a half inch arms and he still was a
six eight nine three cone that that's remarkable explosive lower body. Uh.
And you know, just watching the combine drills and watching
(10:14):
him do the hoop drill was just mind blowing. Uh.
He's so long that he barely has to bend uh
to to you know, uh run the hoop, but he
does it so quick and so efficiently, so easily. So
there's different ways to Russia Passer, and I think Trayvon
Walker has got a little bit of both. Where he
has power, he has length, but he also has quickness,
he has some bend, some flexibility to him. So, yes,
(10:36):
is there projection involved the Travon Walker, No doubt about it.
And that's why we're not talking about the slam dunk
number one overall pick. We're talking about a guy that's
in the top ten discussion, likely to go top three,
top five. But you know, a guy that has all
the ability, and it's it's not like he can't do it,
it just he wasn't asked to do it. And so
you feel like you're getting a guy who just twenty
(10:58):
one years old on the up trajectory of what he's
going to be. So remember the NFL draft and scouting,
it's all about not what you've done, that's what you're
going to do, you know, projecting forward. And when you
project your fun Walker forward, it's hard not to get excited.
Fair enough, and I know you've been, you've been beating
that drum for a long time. So I'm excited to
(11:19):
see what happens with Travon Walker in April, in late April.
It's almost April, which is crazy. So and just to
put things out there, like, I know you're running on fumes.
Dane's working on his draft guide. It's almost there. What
is your all right? How about this over under Dane?
Four and a half diet mountain dews a day. So
(11:44):
in the last week, I I limit myself to two
um the bottle so not cans. So it's you know
where the sixteen ounce bottles whatever they are. Yeah, I
I forced myself not to have more than two so
I can see my kids graduate one day. Um but no,
it's uh trying to drink a lot of water. But
(12:08):
then yeah, I mean I have to offset it with
some type of caffeine to you know, just keep the
juices coffee though I'm not a coffee drinker. No, I
mean one of my one of my secrets is, um,
I got a lot of Christmas cookies, uh in the
freezer and so uh, you know, midnight one am, take
you know, three cookies out of the freezer and uh,
(12:30):
you know, a little sugar rush, just that last hour
or two before I go to bed, just to just
to get that done. So that's I'm doing this a
long time, you know. And plus having four young kids,
you know, it's you learn these different habits at night
to kind of give you that extra juice. And so
I've got my own regiment, all right. And more importantly,
does Jack's your dogs stay up during the night with
(12:52):
you while you're watching film? And does he get a
little cookie once in a while. No, he's but he
he is up. I mean he yeah, he's lays at
my eaten uh, you know, before he goes to bed.
So yeah, he's easiest to long hours and he knows
the drill. He's been doing this long time. Alright. Fair enough, Well,
on that note, let's move on to Cavon Thibodeau, because
it feels like Cavon Thibodeau is the one of those
(13:15):
guys that's also in that top five projection. He's also
been projected to be potentially top twelve or so. So
where do you stand on Cavon Thibodeau as a prospect,
excluding everything that's potentially polarizing about him as a person,
more so just as a player. Yeah, and there's plenty
to like as a as a player. Um, you know
you're you're getting a guy that's six four, so maybe
(13:38):
not quite the size that you know you expected. Um,
a little lighter than you want. Um, you know, decent
length over thirty three in arms, but not commanding length.
But I think what helps with him he uses that
forward lean so he can get into blockers drive them backwards. Um.
He has a lot of power to what he does
(13:58):
and strengthen his hands, ends powerful jab steps. Um. You know,
there's different ways that he can win. And he's not
the most fluid guy. That's that's not how uh he
gets after the after the quarterback. But you do see
him rushed with upfield urgency. Uh. He has some cornering skills. Um.
You know he's he's he's got different go to moves
(14:20):
that he that he has that again, they all revolve
more around power than necessarily him out athleting everybody. UM.
So length, flexibility, hand strength. Do you do see a
lot of Dave Young Clowney there and Neil Clowney. I
don't Has he lived up to being the number one
overall pick? Probably not, um, but he's been a really
(14:42):
quality pass rusher h since he's entered the league when
he's been healthy, So whether it's the Texans, the Titans,
or the Browns, or he's bounced around, he's kind of
been like a higher gun, uh, to be that pass
rusher who's going to give you quality reps as a
run defender and as a pass rusher. So if Cavon
Cavon Thibodeaux has the same type of career as uh
(15:04):
Jadeveon Clowney, I don't think that'd be surprising for Cavon Thibodeau,
does it? Were you at all about the competition that
he played and the tackles that he's faced, specifically this
past season, that's absolutely fair. I mean the packed twelve.
You know, Abraham Lucas from Washington State has a has
a good chance to get drafted in the top one hundred. Uh.
(15:26):
Kellen Diche from Arizona State is a pretty good left
tackle who will be drafted likely on Day three. But
you know, they're just it's not a league known for
at least for the left tackles right now. Um, you
know they haven't a pass but the last year not
necessarily a ton of high end talent and that's something
that is part of the discussion because it's not like
(15:47):
he uh, you know, he watched one tape and he
doesn't necessarily get you overly excited yet. Seven sacks uh
decent pressure rate. But for a guy with his talent,
you did expect a little bit more. He was banged
up quite a bit, missed Ohio State game, miss parts
of other games. But again, for a guy with his talent,
(16:08):
you just expected a little bit more. But I mean, nonetheless,
he still let it worgan in sacks, let it organ
and tackles for loss. I mean, he was a unanimous
All American, probably more based off of name recognition than anything.
But um, we're talking about you know, just like we're
we're it's it's okay to critique Travon Walker for not
having more production. Same thing with keV On Tibodeau. When
(16:29):
you watch this tape, you, for a guy being talked
about is a top five potential, top seven pick, you
just expected maybe a little more dominance at that level
of competition. And then lastly, here feels like the final
guy and let's say the quartet of pass rushers that
could be pretty viable options at four through ten and
potentially after that. The last guy's Jermaine Johnson, who maybe
(16:53):
in January before the Senior Bowl, not a whole lot
of NFL draft fans, not guys named Damon Brugler, because
you definitely knew about him, but people didn't really know
about him. And then he had a fantastic week in Mobile,
he had a fantastic combine and it sure seems like
that he's put himself in the conversation to be a
top ten selection. So I ask you this, Dane. Of
(17:14):
the four guys, let's say, Hutchins, say the three guys.
Hutchinson's off the board. You got Walker, you got Thibodeau,
you got Jermaine Johnson. The Jets are at four overall,
which one of these players makes the most sense for
the team based on talent and more importantly, based on
scheme fit. I'm going Dravan Walker. I'm betting on those
(17:35):
traits every day. Um but I I you can easily
make a case feeling to you guys as well. And
Jermaine Johnson, Yeah, he was the top defensive player going
into the Senior Bowl, and after what he did in Mobile,
I mean, he kind of put any doubt to rest there. Uh,
with the way he played at the Senior Bowl. Practices
a very good run defender, really good pass rusher. Maybe
(17:55):
not elite in any one of those areas, but he's
just good across the board. Um, you know, bet out
himself transferring from Georgia. I think most people know his
story by now. Uh, leading the a CEC and sacks
tackles for a loss. Just a really quality player who
maybe not doesn't have that elite get off, but he
plays his length, he plays with the agility, active hands. Uh,
he has a plan to what he's doing his rush attack.
(18:18):
He can win in different ways. Uh. He's very athletic
on the edge, so he can play the run. He
has power so he can work off blocks and make
stops in the backfield. So there's just a lots of
like about what he's gonna bring. And you know, very quickly.
I mean he is you know, he's already twenty three
years old. He's you know, he's in college for five years,
but he's ready to come in and be an NFL
(18:39):
starter very quickly as a rookie. So would not be
hard to talk to yourself into Jermaine Johnson, even as
high as number four, Okay, I'm glad you asked that,
because I feel like a lot of the mock drafts
have Jermaine Johnson at number ten. And if you're the
Jets just playing Devil's advocate, let's say you're convinced he's
gonna be selected five through nine. Is full? Are too rich?
(19:00):
You say no, no, And especially if saying Trevon Walkers
off the board in that scenario, Um, you know, because
there's a good chance Adan Hudginson goes one or two
and then Travon Walker goes two or three. And if
that happens, and you know, the Jets are looking at
their options, could go offensive, line, could go wide, receiver,
could go corner. But Jeremy Johnson sitting there and I
don't you probably don't feel great that he's gonna last
(19:22):
you at ten. Now there's a chance that he could,
but I don't think you feel great about that. And
if you love the player, and you you know, you
think you know what you're getting with him. And I
think that's part of the appeal which Jeremaine Johnson, you
know what you're getting with him. I don't think there's
not you know, with Trevon Walker, A little bit of
a projection there with Kaylon Thibodeaux, a little bit of
a projection there because of, you know, some of the
(19:43):
some of the other things you have to worry about
with him. Jeremy Johnson not quite doesn't have that with
so I think that you know, when you look at
Johnson used to run out of reasons why not you know,
why he shouldn't be a top fifteen pick, Why you
should it be a top ten pick, Why you shouldn't
be in the conversation number four? So I think absolutely
Jermaine Johnson, especially if walkers off the board, Jaremaine Johnson,
(20:05):
should at least be in that conversation if they want
to go pass rusher number four. All right, so now
let's move on a round two. The Jets have thirty
five and thirty eight right now as we record. You
mentioned two guys earlier at the top of the show.
The Jets also had Arnold that mcketty from Penn State
boy Mafe out of Minnesota on their team during Senior
Bowl week. You think both of those guys also could
(20:26):
be viable options for the Jets at either thirty five
or thirty eight or some of those guys might creep
up into the back half a round one. Yeah, as
gonna say, they definitely would would be if they're there
in the thirties. Um, I think both could easily go
in the first round. Uh. You know, we know pass
rushers go pretty quickly. Last year we saw run on
those guys in the late first round Quitty pay and
(20:47):
um Adolphe oh Way, Uh Gregory were so Peyton Turner.
I mean, those guys, those pass rushers flew off the
board in the late first and we could see, you know,
a similar type of thing in this year's for round,
late first round with Arnol Ebucketty and uh boy Mafe
maybe Logan Hall from Houston. So that makes sense. But
if one word has slipped through the cracks and be
(21:09):
there in the early second, uh yeah, I think the
Jets would be all over that, especially if they don't
go pass rusher. Obviously a four or ten uh Ebuketty
a Temple transfer who is a really long player. He's
got thirty four over thirty four inch arms. Um it
doesn't look like you know, he's six two and a
half to fifty, but his length really stands out and
that's how he wins he has speed off the edge,
(21:31):
explosive first step uh, uses his hands well, um, and
his motor just doesn't quit. I mean he makes plays
away from the line of scrimmage he has no business making.
But because of that motor always revving. Uh, it's something
that is a strong selling point with him. Does he
need refinement, Uh, yes, especially versus the run. But with
(21:51):
a guy with his length, his first step, quickness, and
with his relentless hustle, you're gonna bet on that every time.
So Arnold Ebuketty, I think I just made a case
why he be there in the thirties. But why if
he is, the Jets should be all over him? All right?
How about this thing? Can you give us somebody, let's say,
day three, who you really think that he has a
(22:12):
chance to develop into a quality starter and let's say
he's available for the Jets on day three somewhere. Well,
we talked about um. I believe we talked about him
with the mock draft with Christopher Allen Um out of Alabama. UM.
I think he's a guy that's flying under the radar
right now because of his injury. I think he'd be
in that mix. Um Murray Barno from Virginia Tech for
(22:35):
in the fastest forty yard dash of any pass rusher
at the combine. I think he's a guy that you
could develop. He needs time, he needs work. But when
you have that type of speed and add that type
of length and that ability, just you know, bring bring
him to the in our program and we'll we'll get
get the most out of him. So, uh, there's We
talked about how this pass rusher class every step of
(22:57):
the draft is going to be guys. There's gonna be
good players. They get pushed to Day three, and you know,
there's only so many spots for these guys that go.
So even a guy like say Cameron Thomas from San
Diego State who played really well this year and we thought, okay,
probably gonna be a second round pick. But you know
when you start laying it out, all of a sudden,
well maybe probably go more third round. Maybe he goes
(23:18):
to the fourth round. Just because there's such a high
volume of pass rushers and these edge guys that someone's
going to fall to the fourth, fifth round. And it
could be a guy like Cameron Thomas, could be a
guy like Jesse Lookeetta from Penn State, Um, so there's
several pass rushers who you could get a good value
one in those middle rounds. Jesse Lookeetta also a guy
(23:38):
that the Jets coached up at the Senior BROWL. Somebody
could keep an eye on there. And Uh, who's the
other guy, Dominique Robinson. Yeah, Miami, Ohio really really a
former wide receiver, never started a game at pass rusher
in his life. He was a sub package guy for
the RedHawks. And uh, but you know, his his athleticism
and his power, I mean, he's there's something there. And
(23:59):
so like, I'll be surprised if he doesn't go third round.
But if he doesn't, oh yeah, heck yeah, that's that's
a heck of a value in the fourth round. Also,
the Jets have the sixty nine overall selection right now
in the third round, something to keep an eye on
as well. You know you said the red Hawks. It
just made me think of all the scouting that you do.
What is like your favorite team name? You gotta have one, right, Yeah,
(24:21):
that's a good question. Um, well, and it's because I
was um, I was watching Uh it's not the team name,
not the mascot, but I discovered Castleton, Uh college or university.
Um uh the other day. Uh, there's a they have
a Division three school. They have a pass rusher who
tested pretty well at his pro day. Um. But as
(24:42):
small school in Vermont, who uh you know, it's got
got got a talented uh a little talented program up there.
So Castleton it sounded like a fun school. So I
discovered that which I didn't know much about. Okay, all right,
and what years is for you doing the draft and
whatever it is, You're still learning. That's what makes a
great thing that great, always learning every year. There's there
(25:03):
seems to be like one school that I, you know,
never heard of, and you know it's Central Methodist or
it's uh, you know, American International, or you know, there's
just a lot of different schools that you know, whether
it's an ai A Division two, Division three, um, you know,
there's a lot of levels of schools and football players
trying to get their name out there. So it's a
(25:25):
it's fun to learn about these guys when they hit
my desk. Alright, great, this is how I want to
wrap this episode. You kind of talk, It's been a
kind of a theme of your answers, like if that
guy is there in the top of round two. If
that guy is there at the top of round four,
like Dominique Robinson. So let me ask you this. Last year,
there was a guy that the Jets elected, Alijah More.
If he's there in round two, you're probably turning in
(25:47):
the card. He was there. They did just that. So
not just defensive lines like I'm I want the full
scope of positions here that I want to ask you about.
And if you're the Jets, like who are more? Are
guys like Elijah More that could go in the back
half around one but also could slip through the cracks
be there around two and you're turning, You're running up
(26:08):
the card with happiness saying this is who was there
and we want we wanted this guy. We thought about
trading up like the Jets did with Elijah More, and
he said, you know what, we're gonna We're gonna stay
here and then we're gonna select him there. I think
there's three, maybe three positions we could look at here,
so you know the receivers um. If we know that,
(26:29):
you know, guys like Garrett Wilson, Drake London, Jamison Williams,
probably they're gonna go early. Is there one or two
of these guys that would fall a little bit, whether
it's Crystal LaVey, whether it's Johan Dotson, some of these guys,
would they fall a little bit, and if they do,
maybe the jetst pounds. Um. I'm really interested in the
secondary as well though, the safeties. You know, Kyle Hamilton's who,
(26:53):
by the way, didn't not run well it was pro day.
He's actually were in slower at his pro day than
he did the combine, which is very surprising to see. Um.
I Cayle Hampton's you know, I've kind of been saying
he's not gonna go maybe as early as people think, um,
throughout the process, and I mean I wouldn't be surprised
if he doesn't go top ten. Um. But after Kyle
(27:14):
Hamilton is off the board, you know who's that next
safety is at Dax Hill? Is it Louis Senem But
you know we could see maybe that's that who's that
number two safety? And where does he go? Could he
slip to the early part of the second round. And
that's a part where part of the draft where the
Jets would be all over a guy like scene who uh,
you know, they can help fortify the back end of
their defense UM. But and then same thing with corners
(27:36):
after Sauce Gardners off the board, uh, Trent McDuffie UM,
and then Derek Stingley. Is there another corner that they
have a first round grade on or an early second
round grade on. Who you know, and Andrew Booth at
a Clemson UM somebody like that who could go easily
go late first round. But the Jets, you know that
they've got their eye on them, and they just kind
(27:56):
of crossing their fingers that he falls to the early seconds.
So there's death only a good mix of those guys
and maybe throughout David A. Jobo as well from Michigan,
who unfortunately the torn achilles at his pro day, most
likely going to have some type of red shirt ear,
which he was going to anyways because he's such a
young player. But now that you factor in the injury
and all of a sudden, there's a more there's gonna
(28:19):
be a likely chance he's available after round one. So
it'll probably go somewhere on day two and if the
Jets are comfortable with the injury and the timeline of
when he's gonna have, you know, until he's gonna get
back and healthy and contribute. Uh, David A. Jobo is
as a name that's on the radar now that maybe
you weren't talking about a couple of weeks ago, you know,
(28:41):
after I forgot to bring this up. But you know,
I was so focused on the edge guys. I think
maybe one of the guys that could be included in
that conversation potentially stuck his way in around one. You
tell me if I'm wrong here. After Jordan Davis out
of Georgia, I'm looking at Travis Jones out of Yukon,
who had a good senior BAWLLL week. If you're the Jets,
are you is he in that same ball where maybe
he could be in like picks twenty to thirty two,
(29:03):
And if not, if he's there at thirty five or
thirty eight and you want to add some depth up front,
you're running that up as well. Absolutely, I'm a big
Travis Jones fan. Something about Yukon defensive tackles. I was
a big fan of Fadakasih right. Uh. Uh. You went
a couple of years ago and Jets drafted him. They
got him what fifth sixth round? Uh? Yeah, And so
(29:25):
you know, Travis Jones is a really good player. He's
gonna go much earlier than the sixth round. Uh could
easily go top top thirty somewhere for a team. But
if he were to fall a little bit, I think
he's For the longest time, I was saying, instead of
Jordan Davison round one, just wait till day two, get
Travis Jones after the Senior Bowl, after what he did
(29:45):
the combine Travis Jones. Uh, it's he's moved himself up.
There's no doubt guys like him go top fifty all
day and uh, possibly even the first round. So a
guy that can win with quickness, he's got power. Uh.
No one could block him at the Senior Bowl and
one on ones. So you've got a guy that's able
to play with that type of momentum at his size,
played through his hips. Uh, he just creates problems for
(30:08):
blockers because of an athleticism, because of an explosive this
both his upper party and his lower body. He can
too gap. Um, you know he could be disruptive. So
Travis Jones, I mean again, I think I just laid
out the reasons why he probably won't be an option
for the Jets. He's not gonna make it there. But
if he does, um, I wouldn't be surprised to see
if the the Jets pounce on him. Crazier things have happened.
(30:29):
I think that, you know, potentially Jones being there. Yeah, yeah,
you're right, You're absolutely right. So this is how we're
gonna wrap up this episode. Here, We're gonna have I
don't want to say, like a a mock draft, but
if you could choose one player, right you have, you
have a crystal ball. Yeah, and you could choose one
player to fall to the Jets at thirty five or
(30:51):
thirty eight after whoever you want to choose at four
and ten, And you think this is like an absolute
home run of a draft. So let's say, and you case,
you're probably looking at Travon Walker at four. I don't
know who you're looking at at ten, whether that's a receiver,
whether that's a corner defense of another edge player, anybody
you want at ten? Who's the player at thirty five
(31:13):
that slipped through the cracks at the end of round
one to turn a very good draft into a great
draft after the Jets first three picks? How how realistic
do I need to be? I mean, it's semi realistic.
I maybe the most perfect scenario is so many teams
are scared off by Jamison Williams a c L injury,
(31:35):
that he slips through the cracks a little bit, falls
the thirty five and that just jump all over. I
don't think that there's like a two percent chance of
that happening. Um I I if the just one and
have to take him at ten, um, and who knows,
you can go eat he might even be available at ten.
He he's that good of a player. But with with
an a c L injury, just you know, you don't
know how how teams are gonna respond to that. UM
(31:57):
More realistically, probably say one of these safeties, whether it's
Dax Hill from Michigan or Louis Scene from Georgia. I
think two guys that are gonna come in and really
help and really help it back in your defense. Guys
that can play play the run really well, they can
cover um and you know they're they're really gonna give
you something. So I think those, uh, those two guys
(32:17):
that make sense both could easily go top thirty two.
But if they were gonna slip a little bit, I
think the Jets would not be upset to see them
on the board when they pick and round two. All right,
so Dane has Travon Walker, Jamison Williams and either Dax
Hill or Louis Scene. Is that that what we're run
in the cart in March twenty nine. That sounds like
a home run to me. I mean, if you're if
this team is confident and where the offensive line is
(32:40):
right now with McKay Beckton, and then you're able to
and if that's the case, you're able to really address
the defensive line, you're able to address receiver boost a secondary.
I mean, that's that that's exactly what you want to
do through the draft. That that that sounds like a home
run the main. All right, that's a great way to
end this episode of NFL Draft Preview Day. And thanks
(33:00):
a lot. We'll talk to you next week, all right.
Thanks EA.
Popular Podcasts
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com