The third year of the Tangini draft era wrapped up on Sunday and time will tell if the Jets found any contributors.
Gang Green went into the draft with needs at defensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback and running back (other than that, things are just fine with the Green and White). I kid, I kid. Anyway, here's what general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini's 2008 draft looked like:
Round 1. Vernon Gholston DE (Ohio State)
Round 1. Dustin Keller TE (Purdue)
Round 4. Dwight Lowery CB (San Jose State)
Round 5. Erik Ainge QB (Tennessee)
Round 6. Marcus Henry WR (Kansas)
Round 7. Nate Garner OT (Arkansas)
As you can see, needs were addressed (in theory). I liked the Gholston pick even though he might be the top candidate for biggest potential bust out of the first ten picks. The story is that Vern gets up for big games, but disappears in others. Well, I guess every game is going to have to be a big one for The Ghol.
I saw some more highlight film of Dustin Keller and the kid doesn't look like a tight end. And sure enough, he started his collegiate career at wide receiver. He's been compared to Dallas Clark of the Indianapolis Colts. Hey, I'm all for that. The Jets haven't had a reliable, big-play tight end since Mickey Shuler.
The word on
Dwight Lowery is that he's better in zone coverage. That means he has nickel back written all over him. But he did lead the nation in picks in his junior season.
Erik Ainge is the nephew of former professional basketballer and baseballer and current Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge. Anige threw for 3,522 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his final year as a Volunteer. But scouts questioned his arm strength (even though he's a big kid -- 6'5, 223), ability to handle pressure and overall mental and physical toughness. Other than that, he has the chance to be a real star.
Marcus Henry is the big wide receiver (6'4, 207) the Jets desperately need. Henry has long arms and could be a real asset in the red zone. His biggest drawback is that he fails to gain separation and doesn't rack up those important yards after the catch.
Nate Garner is big (6'6, 326), but raw. It looks like another Jacob Bender "pet project" situation.
There it is -- the Jets Class of 2008.
Check back in a few years to see if the right choices were made.
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