NY Jets 2008 Off Season Needs and Possible Player Moves Draft Tek Mock Simulation

The depression runs deep. I am not sure if it is the snow that is falling in New Jersey as I write this or the fact that another free agent tackle is no longer available. There are reports out that Sean Locklear, OT, Seahawks has signed a 5 year $32 million contract and will stay with the Seahawks. There is very little available in terms of quality free agent offensive tackles. Most never made it to free agency. As was discussed before, many teams have ample money to spend. Players are just not hitting the free agent market.

There have been changes to the position needs matrix for the upcoming model simulation. The general premise remains that the Jets will likely best improve the offense through free agency and the defense through the draft. So far, free agency has not gone well for the Jets. I know that it is early but some of the recent developments have not been helpful to our cause.

There are still several decent offensive guards available in free agency so I am optimistic that the Jets can fill this need outside of the draft. It is no longer practical to think that the Jets will fill their need for a RT through free agency. I have altered the Jets team needs matrix to make a special consideration to taking an offensive tackle in the draft at the top of the second round when the Jets pick. The intended target is Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska. This is a combination of filling a desperate team need with a player that the Jets coaching staff has a connection. The Nebraska connection between recently hired Assistant Head Coach/Offense Bill Callahan and Carl Nicks is too obvious to ignore. If Carl Nicks is available when the Jets pick in the second round, it is likely that the Jets will take him. He is not projected to be available at the top of the third round.

Let’s see what the next simulation run brings.