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With the 16th pick in the 2012 MHR Community Mock draft, the New York Jets select:
Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford
Jets' GM: Bronco Mike
GM Explanation: Here's my thought process in narrowing down this selection. Looking at the Jets needs, they are RT, OLB, S, WR, in no particular order. Admittedly RT/OLB are probably greater needs than S and WR.
As far as WR, this draft is deep enough at the position where the Jets could take one later on and with Michael Floyd already gone, I don't think another WR is worthy at this point of going at #16. And really, we are talking about a big bodied receiver who could replace the target Mark Sanchez has had in previous years in Braylon Edwards and Plaxico Burress and Kendall Wright doesn't fit that bill. We are now down to OLB and RT.
The sexy pick here with the Jets is the pass rush/OLB spot. The guys left most likely to go here are Courtney Upshaw and Whitney Mercilus. I think Jets fans would jump all over these guys, but here's why I didn't. In my opinion, Mercilus is more of a prototypical DE in a 4-3, and though he played standing up in that scheme, it doesn't automatically mean he can be effective in space or coverage. If the Jets did this, I think it would be like fitting a square peg in a round hole sort of how Robert Ayers was moved from his natural 4-3 position by Josh McDaniels. Some might be wondering why I would pass on Upshaw here. I just don't think he's that dominant a pass rusher and at times he also got lost in run support. I think he's a solid all around OLB, but in my mind, the obvious shift in offensive philosophy with the hiring of Tony Sparano and even the trade for Tim Tebow, means that the OL takes precedence here.
Johnathan Martin from Stanford is an intriguing prospect. Though he played LT in college protecting Andrew Luck's blindside, he struggled with speed rushers and is therefore thought to be better suited as a RT prospect at the pro level. He would be an immediate upgrade in pass protection over Wayne Hunter and Vlad Ducasse and is absolutely dominant in the run game which fits with the aforementioned return to the "ground and pound" philosophy on offense. For my money, this pick makes one side of the ball significantly better than had the pick been Courtney Upshaw.
Commissioner's Analysis: I think this is a very solid pick. The Jets just made a large investment in Mark Sanchez and acquired Tim Tebow via trade, so they need to start putting more talent on the offensive side of the ball. They have a couple of cornerstones on their offensive line already with D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, so adding Martin at this point is really good value considering there could be an early run on tackles. I think Martin playing right tackle would really fit well what the Jets want to do offensively, which is pound the ball. People forget oftentimes that at Stanford, the Cardinal were just as good at running the ball, if not better than they were at passing it. This is a good selection and a nice way to supplement their moves at the QB position this offseason, in my opinion.
Draft Recap:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
16. New York Jets: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
On the clock...Cincinnati Bengals (K-Lazz)