Post by The Tax Returns Are in Kenya on Feb 17, 2016 15:33:10 GMT -5
Fans have been lamenting the Jets fill this position every year since the days of wax tablets. 20th is a pretty typical spot for a RB but according to the "data" you can do better getting a pass rusher at this spot. And getting a beast at that position would probably do more for this team than a RB. (the problem was with defense last year after all, not offense)
jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/02/16/jets-should-draft-a-pass-rusher-in-the-first-round-says-history/
Before diving into the data, let’s set the ground rules. The players that were looked at were specially 3-4 outside linebackers as that’s the scheme the Jets play, and the type of player they’d likely consider taking in the first round. 4-3, pass-rushing defensive ends don’t count, neither do 3-4 defensive ends that excel at getting the quarterback (guys like Muhammad Wilkerson).
What we were looking for were those speed, edge rushers. The guys that line up as outside linebackers, and then go and get the quarterback.
Tamba Hali was actually taken with the pick the Jets have in this years draft a few years ago.
Believe it or not, quite a decent amount of impact players have been found right at the 20th pick or after. In fact, if the Jets want to play the history card, the team would be wise to take a pass rusher here.
Ok, enough small talk. On to the numbers…
Going back over the last 10 drafts, or from the 2005 NFL Draft through the 2015 NFL Draft, there have been a total 12 pass rushers taken with the 20th pick or later. Of those 12 players, we’ve split them up into three tiers ranging from very good, to very not-so good.
One note– the two outside linebackers selected last year — Bud Dupree (Steelers, 22nd overall), Shane Ray (Broncos, 23rd overall– were not ranked as simply there isn’t enough on them to make a sound judgement. Both players did show promise last year, though, recording eight combined sacks in limited reps.
Ok, now really on to the numbers…
In that upper echelon of elite-level talent are some names that certainly will cause eyes to widen. Tamba Hali, the Chiefs stud outside linebacker who will actually be a free agent this year (discussed him with the Jets here), was actually taken with the 20th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. All he’s done is record 86 sacks in 10 NFL seasons and be voted to the Pro Bowl six times.
Tier 1
– Tamba Hali, Chiefs: 20th pick, 2009 NFL Draft
– Clay Matthews, Packers: 26th pick, 2009 NFL Draft
– Chandler Jones, Patriots: 21st pick, 2012 NFL Draft
Tier 2
– Jerry Hughes, Colts: 31st Pick, 2010 NFL Draft
– Whitney Mercilus, Texans: 26th Pick, 2012 NFL Draft
Tier 3
– Marcus Smith, Eagles: 26th pick, 2014 NFL Draft
– Dee Ford, Chiefs: 23rd Pick, 2014 NFL Draft
– Bjorn Werner, Colts: 24th pick, 2013 NFL Draft
– Nick Perry, Packers: 28th pick, 2012 NFL Draft
What we were looking for were those speed, edge rushers. The guys that line up as outside linebackers, and then go and get the quarterback.
Tamba Hali was actually taken with the pick the Jets have in this years draft a few years ago.
Believe it or not, quite a decent amount of impact players have been found right at the 20th pick or after. In fact, if the Jets want to play the history card, the team would be wise to take a pass rusher here.
Ok, enough small talk. On to the numbers…
Going back over the last 10 drafts, or from the 2005 NFL Draft through the 2015 NFL Draft, there have been a total 12 pass rushers taken with the 20th pick or later. Of those 12 players, we’ve split them up into three tiers ranging from very good, to very not-so good.
One note– the two outside linebackers selected last year — Bud Dupree (Steelers, 22nd overall), Shane Ray (Broncos, 23rd overall– were not ranked as simply there isn’t enough on them to make a sound judgement. Both players did show promise last year, though, recording eight combined sacks in limited reps.
Ok, now really on to the numbers…
In that upper echelon of elite-level talent are some names that certainly will cause eyes to widen. Tamba Hali, the Chiefs stud outside linebacker who will actually be a free agent this year (discussed him with the Jets here), was actually taken with the 20th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. All he’s done is record 86 sacks in 10 NFL seasons and be voted to the Pro Bowl six times.
Tier 1
– Tamba Hali, Chiefs: 20th pick, 2009 NFL Draft
– Clay Matthews, Packers: 26th pick, 2009 NFL Draft
– Chandler Jones, Patriots: 21st pick, 2012 NFL Draft
Tier 2
– Jerry Hughes, Colts: 31st Pick, 2010 NFL Draft
– Whitney Mercilus, Texans: 26th Pick, 2012 NFL Draft
Tier 3
– Marcus Smith, Eagles: 26th pick, 2014 NFL Draft
– Dee Ford, Chiefs: 23rd Pick, 2014 NFL Draft
– Bjorn Werner, Colts: 24th pick, 2013 NFL Draft
– Nick Perry, Packers: 28th pick, 2012 NFL Draft
