New York Jets 2011 NFL Draft Review

The Jets filled a major need with two young explosive defensive linemen in first round pick Muhammad Wilkerson and third round selection Kenrick Ellis. New York’s 2011 second round pick went to San Diego for corner Antonio Cromartie last year. Wilkerson brings competition and depth to the defensive end spot if Shaun Ellis does not return. Ellis is a wide bodied space eater that combines size and athletic ability to gum up the inside running lanes. He can also keep the linebackers free to get downhill. Free agency may be the avenue to address the edge pass rusher void that was not filled in the draft. Muhammad Wilkerson is a productive good effort player who dominated his level of competition. He has very good athletic ability with good lateral quickness. He has the size, arm length, and lower body power to hold his ground but does have a tendency to play high at times. With good awareness to get his hands up in the throwing lane, he was moved around to take advantage of matchups. He plays with power, disruption, and aggressiveness and will compete at the left defensive end spot. Kenrick Ellis was a threeyear starter at Hampton and stuffs the run from tackle to tackle. Big and athletic, he has explosive ability to push the pocket and pressure the quarterback. He has long arms and big hands for the nose tackle position. A dominant player in his league, he transferred from the University of South Carolina. He can stack and shed at the point of attack. He shows good effort for a big man (346 pounds) and was in on 94 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. The big man has the ability to rotate with Sione Pouha once he improves his overall playing technique. Bilal Powell is a three down back who was drafted as the best player value on the Jets’ draft board at that particular point. With three solid backs on the roster, adding Powell brings versatility and competition to the backfield mix. He started 15 games at Louisville and had a strong senior season. He has good inside vision and leg drive. He finishes his runs driving for extra yards. A north/south runner with good contact balance, he runs with some violence. He has soft receiver type hands and lined up outside at wide receiver in certain packages. He has the innate ability to find, hit a crease, and cut in the hole. The change in coaching staff helped him break out as a running back and receiver in 2010. Jeremy Kerley was a productive and versatile player for TCU. He has experience outside, in the slot, and as a return specialist. He has explosive stop and start quickness and is a playmaker in space. Quick in and out of his breaks, he has a burst upfield after catch. He has quick feet and sudden reactions. He catches the ball away from his body and makes plays in key situations. Kerley is quicker than fast. Greg McElroy was drafted as a developmental quarterback. A two year starter, he has a National Championship under his belt. An efficient ball control passer, he has good ball placement. A very smart, aware, and heady prospect, he is best on short and swing routes. He has good anticipation and decision making ability, showing excellent leadership qualities. Confident, consistent, and poised in the pocket, he will compete for the third quarterback spot. Scotty McKnight is Colorado’s all-time leading receiver and only one of ten players in NCAA history to catch a ball in every game he played throughout his career. He walked on for the Buffalos and ended up catching 215 passes for 22 touchdowns. Childhood friend Mark Sanchez threw to him at his pro day. He has dependable hands and is a route runner. On his pro day on 3/9/11 his numbers were: 5104, 182, 4.55/40, 1.59/10, 13/BP, 34/VJ, 10-8/BJ, 4.03/SS, and 6.65/3 cone. GRADE: AVERAGE.