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New Jersey – In this edition of “Dan’s Draft Notebook,” we take a look at a few prospects would could pique the Jets interest early in the draft . . .
If the Jets make a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and are able to get the 13th pick of the first round, a player they will have to look at long-and-hard is West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin.
The Jets are in dire need of a home run hitter on offense, and Austin is just that. He is the kind of player that is a threat to take it all the way, every time he touches the ball.
He’s amazing in space, consistently making defenders look ridiculous trying to tackle him.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper has followed him since high school.
“He’s a phenomenal player,” Kiper said. “I saw him in high school here at Dunbar in Baltimore, and he was outstanding. He was a man among boys. He’s just tremendously electrifying, great quickness. He doesn’t break tackles, he’s only 5’8½”, 5’9″, [but] yet try to get a handle on him to tackle him.
“He’s great kid, very business-like in his approach. You think about the slot receivers, guys like Welker and Amendola and Davone Bess, they all went undrafted. This kid is going to be drafted in the top 16. I think the furthest I could see him getting down to is 23 to Minnesota.
“I think Tavon is going to have a heck of a career. I think he’s just an electrifying, dynamic player.” . . .
The Jets would like add a safety in this draft, with their top three guys from last year out the door – LaRon Landry, Yeremiah Bell and Eric Smith.
The Jets aren’t likely going to do this in Round One, and that is fine, because this draft is loaded with second round safeties.
“You’re going to have a run on safeties in the second round,” Kiper said. “If Jonathan Cyprien is not a first round pick out of Florida International, he will be a second. Matt Elam, if he’s not a 1, he’ll be a 2 out of Florida. Shamarko Thomas out of Syracuse will be a 2. J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern. D.J. Swearinger from South Carolina probably a 2.”
Duke Williams from Nevada (Reno) is another possibility in the second round. Eric Reid from LSU could also slip in there. However, both of these players are likely going to land in the third round.
The bottom line is this – the Jets will be able to grab a starting quality safety in the second or third round . . .
Speaking of the second or third round, a guy I love in that region is San Diego State tight end Gavin Escobar. He has the earmarks of a player who is going to be rock solid on the next level.
“Escobar is an interesting guy – I’ve liked him,” Kiper said. “You look at his skill set and how it translates to the NFL at 6’5½”, 6’6″, 250 to 255 pounds, he runs well, he plays fast, he’s got the hands, he’s got the natural receiving skills. I think he’s in that late second, early to mid third round discussion.”
Escobar, who came out after his junior year, needs some work on his blocking, but don’t be surprised if this guy ends up in Hawaii one day.
April 4, 2013
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