Lets take a look at the three possible running backs the Jets could make a move for this year in the draft. Knowshon Moreno-Georgia, Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells-Ohio State, and Donald Brown-Connecticut.
Knowshon is 5’10” and 210lbs. I have made it no secret that I feel he is the back in this year’s draft that fits the Jets the best. He ran a slow 40 yard dash at the NFL combine and because of this he has probably slipped from a top 15 pick to the second half of the first round. We should be able to pick him up without needing to move up. He is an underrated pass catcher, and as I have said in the past, he is fast. He has ‘football speed’. Powerful for his size, he has the type of frame that is a work in progress. Some more time in the weight room can get this young man up to a healthy 218-220lbs. He has great agility and vision and has been an every down, bell cow back since high school. He and Neon Leon would be an excellent one two punch moving forward.
Beanie Wells is a monster back standing 6’ 1” and 237lbs. He will obviously draw comparisons to fellow Buckeye alumni Eddie George. He is a fast power back with great vision. My problem with him is he has horrible agility and spent his college career running behind an O-line that was far superior to the opposing defenses week after week. He has a simple north to south style and can turn on the jets (no pun intended) when he sees day light. He had a foot injury that kept him out of the USC game this past September. I would have loved seeing him running against a world class defense like that. He runs very high and doesn’t have the moves to make anyone miss at the NFL level. He isn’t much of a threat in the passing game either. Much like George I think he will make a splash and take a lot of punishment in this league. He has already shown he is injury prone. I just don’t think we would get more than two or three productive years from him. That’s not enough for a first round pick.
That leads us to Donald Brown, 5’10” tall and 208lbs. Like Moreno he is a local product who played High School ball in Red Bank NJ. He went to a smaller school than these other two prospects and should be obtainable in the second half of the second round. He has good speed, agility, quickness, and vision. His overall size and power are a concern. He is by far the best pass blocker of the bunch and that usually translates into playing time for young backs in the NFL. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and has the best hands of this group. If the Jets pick him up with their second round pick (#49 overall) I would be disappointed. I don’t think he would compliment Leon Washington moving forward. We already have a small, quick, change-of-pace, scat back on the roster. We need more of an every down player to carry the load.
I like all three of these backs and I can almost guarantee at least two if not all three will make a real impact at the NFL level. Mr. T may go WR #1 and RB #2 this year but I feel that is a mistake. I’d take Moreno #1 and WR Kenny Britt in the second round, even if we had to trade up to get him. I’m not sure Britt will still be on the board at #49.
At this stage of his career I still have faith in Tannenbaum. I like Mangold, Washington, Revis, Harris, and Keller. Players like Stuckey, Lowey and Coleman have been productive late round picks. He’s had no real big busts yet, but this is the year his two highest picks (Ferguson and Gholston) need to shine as well as his QB of the future Clemens. If these three guys can live up to their potential MR.T could start to be regarded as an elite GM. If they turn out to be busts he may find himself looking for a new employer.
Knowshon is 5’10” and 210lbs. I have made it no secret that I feel he is the back in this year’s draft that fits the Jets the best. He ran a slow 40 yard dash at the NFL combine and because of this he has probably slipped from a top 15 pick to the second half of the first round. We should be able to pick him up without needing to move up. He is an underrated pass catcher, and as I have said in the past, he is fast. He has ‘football speed’. Powerful for his size, he has the type of frame that is a work in progress. Some more time in the weight room can get this young man up to a healthy 218-220lbs. He has great agility and vision and has been an every down, bell cow back since high school. He and Neon Leon would be an excellent one two punch moving forward.
Beanie Wells is a monster back standing 6’ 1” and 237lbs. He will obviously draw comparisons to fellow Buckeye alumni Eddie George. He is a fast power back with great vision. My problem with him is he has horrible agility and spent his college career running behind an O-line that was far superior to the opposing defenses week after week. He has a simple north to south style and can turn on the jets (no pun intended) when he sees day light. He had a foot injury that kept him out of the USC game this past September. I would have loved seeing him running against a world class defense like that. He runs very high and doesn’t have the moves to make anyone miss at the NFL level. He isn’t much of a threat in the passing game either. Much like George I think he will make a splash and take a lot of punishment in this league. He has already shown he is injury prone. I just don’t think we would get more than two or three productive years from him. That’s not enough for a first round pick.
That leads us to Donald Brown, 5’10” tall and 208lbs. Like Moreno he is a local product who played High School ball in Red Bank NJ. He went to a smaller school than these other two prospects and should be obtainable in the second half of the second round. He has good speed, agility, quickness, and vision. His overall size and power are a concern. He is by far the best pass blocker of the bunch and that usually translates into playing time for young backs in the NFL. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and has the best hands of this group. If the Jets pick him up with their second round pick (#49 overall) I would be disappointed. I don’t think he would compliment Leon Washington moving forward. We already have a small, quick, change-of-pace, scat back on the roster. We need more of an every down player to carry the load.
I like all three of these backs and I can almost guarantee at least two if not all three will make a real impact at the NFL level. Mr. T may go WR #1 and RB #2 this year but I feel that is a mistake. I’d take Moreno #1 and WR Kenny Britt in the second round, even if we had to trade up to get him. I’m not sure Britt will still be on the board at #49.
At this stage of his career I still have faith in Tannenbaum. I like Mangold, Washington, Revis, Harris, and Keller. Players like Stuckey, Lowey and Coleman have been productive late round picks. He’s had no real big busts yet, but this is the year his two highest picks (Ferguson and Gholston) need to shine as well as his QB of the future Clemens. If these three guys can live up to their potential MR.T could start to be regarded as an elite GM. If they turn out to be busts he may find himself looking for a new employer.
Lots of pressure for the 4th year executive in 2009.
J.Wagner
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