2008 NFL Draft Review

'08 Draft Review: New York Jets 2008 NFL Draft Review

Round 1, Pick 6: Vernon Gholston, the wicked DE from Ohio State was as high as #2 or #3 on some boards, and he is a guy who could be an absolute beast if properly educated and motivated at the next level. While he did not really dominate at Ohio State the way he did at the Combine there is no question that there is immense potential in this player. Whether the Jets decide to keep him at DE, or look to transition him to some sort of hybrid rush OLB, he should develop into the most deadly pass-rusher in the AFC-East with a little seasoning. However, there is some slight bust potential hear, as well. He's not huge...Definitely a "no brainer" at pick #6 still, and there is 0% chance that the Pats didn't want him too, so that's definitely a good thing. Grade: A

Round 1, Pick 30: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue...OK, yea, he is a workout freak, and, yea, he can catch the football, but he is not a complete TE and we don't see him being the next Sharp either. You don't trade up for a guy who hasn't proven anything other than that he can run fast and jump high. Now, if he goes to the Pro Bowl, it will not be as a TE, or as a WR, but as an H-Back or "move TE," or some other thing we haven't labeled yet. These kinds of "TEs" may be in vogue right now, but the better teams will find ways to limit his effectiveness by getting to the spot where he should have been blocking and wreaking havoc. Not saying Keller won't have a very positive impact, but likely not the degree of impact that it cost the Jets on draft day. Grade B-

Round 4, Pick 113: Dwight Lowery is a playmaker and a ball hawk at CB, but he is also a gambler, and not a smart football player. For every big play there may be a play where he gets burned. Still, he is tall, jumps well, and has athleticism to burn. Some people (including CDS) had him as a potential first rounder before the 2007 season, and he was equal value for where the Jets took him, for sure. Grade: B

Round 5, Pick 162: Erik Ainge is a QB that there were a lot of mixed feelings about coming into the draft. You either love him or hate him. He has the size and the smarts, but people question whether he has the toughness and overall mental makeup. One good drive at the end of the Senior Bowl does not alleviate those question marks. Streaky player. This is about where he should have gone, but if you are unsure who your starter is, and you want a franchise QB, this isn't the guy. Why throw a guy into the mix who is not better than the two you've already got there? Just seems odd. He could surprise, but from here he looks like the clear cut #3 on this team. Grade: C

Round 6, Pick 171: Marcus Henry could turn out to be an absolute steal at pick 171. He is not far off the pace of some of the other more highly-touted big WRs in this draft like Hardy, Sweed, Kelly, etc. He was under the radar, and the Jets did a very good job of sniffing him out. Not as polished as those other guys, but has the same kind of physical tools. Very nice value pick. Grade: B+

Round 7, Pick 211: Nate Garner is a big road grader who got credit for clearing the way for some of the nation's best RBs in McFadden, Jones and Hillis while at Arkansas. But the question will remain, "was it Garner looking that good, or the backs he played with making him look good?" One of Mayock's "heavy-legged waist benders" for sure. On the ground a lot. Doesn't understand leverage. But, hey he's pick 211...give the guy a break, will ya! Grade: B

The Jets did great standing pat and doing the obvious at the very top of this draft. There were 6 blue chippers in this draft, and Gholston was not the worst of that very strong bunch. Even though the Keller pick wasn't a wise one in draft parlance, he may very well have a greater impact even than you would expect from a #30 pick in this system. Not too many picks, and the mid-late round selections were a little spotty. Still, the off-season FA signings added to this bunch have definitely improved a team that will likely have to hold off the Dolphins for a 2nd place finish in the beasty AFC-East.

Overall Grade: B+