The twenty-ninth pick in the inaugural edition of the Cincy Jungle Mock Draft is brought to us by member HanoverWhoDey, selecting for the New York Jets. His explanation for the pick is after the jump. Thank you for your participation HanoverWhoDey.
With the twenty-ninth pick in the 2010 Cincy Jungle Mock Draft, the New York Jets select...
Carlos Dunlap, DE/OLB, Florida
Last year, the New York Jets and brash new Coach Rex Ryan outperformed expectations finishing with an 11-8 record. Though the Jets only found themselves in the playoffs because the Bengals and Colts insisted, "No you go ahead," and laid down for them, the Jets found themselves playing the best football of the season down the stretch. They knocked out our beloved Bengals in Cincy and then defeated San Diego in California before bowing out to the Colts.
The Jets centered their success last season around a strong, unpredictable stingy defense and a smashmouth pounding running game. If I were a gambling man, I would bet we're going to see more of the same next year and thus the Jet's draft will follow accordingly.
On offense, New York seems to be pretty set on the skill positions with young talent at QB, RB, and TE and the recent moves to acquire WRs Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. Additonally, the Jets acquired aging RB LaDanian Tomlinson in a move that paid him as much as former RB Thomas Jones wanted (a terrible move in my mind if you can't tell). Though I think they will look to fill the need in later rounds, don't be completely shocked to see the Jets go WR if there's someone Rex really likes with Braylon Edwards not getting younger any time soon. If the Jets choose to go offense with their first pick, they are more likely to upgrade on the offensive line. The Jets could look for a guard or tackle to replace T Damien Woody or G Alan Faneca who also isn't getting any younger (or any less overrated). Charles Brown from USC could be the pick here.
Though the Jets defense was one of the most impressive last season, look for Rex to start filling his system with some of his hand selected picks. We all know Rex loves to bring blitzes all the time from all directions. In order to do that you have to have strong blitzing safeties and strong man cover corners. With maybe no remaining safety worthy of a 1st round pick and the question marks surrounding Cromartie's focus, don't be shocked if Ryan goes CB here, possibly targeting Florida St CB Patrick Robinson or Alabama CB Kareem Jackson both strong press and cover DBs.
However, The biggest issue for the Jets seems to be the defensive line where NT Kris Jenkins enters his 11th season and at times last year looked overworked and worn down. Mammoth DT Terrence Cody could be an intriguing pick here as he has seemed to show this offseason that he is serious about getting his weight under control and would be able to absorb blockers allowing budding LB David Harris free range to roam. Most likely though, I think Rex will look to upgrade at DE/OLB and officially move on from the Vernon Gholston fiasco. This leads me to believe that the Jets would draft Florida DE Carlos Dunlap. The consensus opinion on Dunlap seems to be that he has the talent to be a dominant player but has off-field issues and inconsistent on-field effort. Though I would be very concerned drafting a Florida DL (Jarvis Moss, Derrick Harvey anyone?), Sexy Rexy seems to be just the guy to have enough ego to think he can get the most out of Carlos. Good Luck Rex.