My Q&A with NFL Draft Expert Shane P. Hallam, Talking New York Jets and the NFL Draft, Part 1
It’s never too early to start thinking about the 2012 NFL Draft. With the Super Bowl just days away, the focus will soon shift completely onto April’s draft, one of the biggest annual events in football.
To get a head start on some draft talk, I spoke with NFL Draft expert Shane P. Hallam of DraftCountdown.com, and I asked him a few questions about the New York Jets and the draft.
In the first part of our conversation, I asked him about the depth of this particular draft class compared to years past, as well what he thinks are some of the Jets’ biggest needs by position, among other things.
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Jon Presser: How deep would you say this draft class is, compared to the past two or three years? I think it’s imperative that the Jets try to draft three or four players who can contribute as rookies, something they haven’t done lately. Is that possible this year, if all goes right?
Shane P. Hallam: I think this is a pretty deep draft. It doesn’t have the “high end” talent that the past 4-5 drafts have had, which makes picking 5-20 pretty tough, but bodes for a great 2nd round.
If there is a draft for the Jets to get players who can contribute immediately, but maybe not be superstars, this year is it. Of course it will take some savvy drafting as always.
JP: What would you say are the Jets’ biggest positions of need? Do you see them taking multiple wide receivers in the mid-to-late rounds if the opportunity presents itself?
SPH: Getting more of a pass rush has to be a top priority for the Jets. The emergence of Aaron Maybin has helped, but having a true stud pass rusher like a DeMarcus Ware or James Harrison could go a long way.
They should have some options at 16 like one-year wonder Whitney Mercilus of Illinois or a positive locker room presence like Melvin Ingram of South Carolina.
Safety is a pretty big need as well and it is by far the weakest position in this draft. Taking Alabama’s Mark Barron at 16 would be the most viable option as the depth gets thin and there may not be any immediate starters to find later.
Finally, I see running back as a position that the Jets could use one more impact player. Probably as a midround pick, a player like Washington’s Chris Polk or Boise State’s Doug Martin could add a compliment to Shonn Greene if they don’t like the development of Bilal Powell.
Wide receiver is one of the deepest classes in this draft. I’ve evaluated potential 4th rounders who could develop into starters and 6th rounders who could contribute to teams.
Drafting a number of wide receivers to take over when Santonio Holmes moves on after the 2012 season and build some depth for next season. Maybe a player like Arkansas’ Jarius Wright in the slot or developing Ohio State’s DeVier Posey into a starter could be the way to spend later round picks.
JP: Do you think the Jets will get anything out of Vladimir Ducasse? He’s shown raw physical talent but hasn’t developed like the Jets would’ve hoped, perhaps because of the lockout among other things. Does he have a fit on this team going forward if he doesn’t show marked improvement this offseason?
SPH: I still believe Ducasse can develop into an NFL player. He was far from a polished product coming out of UMass and always fit more as a guard. Utilizing a player of his size and athleticism can be tricky, but I still feel he can be a starting guard.
If Ducasse doesn’t improve, though, there isn’t really a fit on the team going forward. Being a swing back-up as he is seems great, but if Ducasse doesn’t have the ability to pass protect or get a strong push in the run game, it may be time to move on after the 2012 season.
Thanks to Shane for his time. Check out the second part of the interview here.
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