How the New York Jets rebuilt through the NFL Draft

The 2005 NFL season was a nightmare for the New York Jets.  Their starting QB, Chad Pennington, was sidelined for the season with shoulder surgery.  Their starting RB, Curtis Martin, finally began showing his age and he rushed for under 1000 yards for the first time in his career.  They finished the season 4-12 and fired head coach Herman Edwards.  Serious changes were about to be made in the Jets organization.

In January of 2005 Rookie head coach Eric Mangini was hired, and in February Assistant GM Mike Tannenbaum took over as the new GM.  Together, they immediately addressed several of the team’s most pressing needs in the 2006 NFL Draft.  With their first selection, the Jets selected LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson to fill the gap left by the departure of Jason Fabini.  With their second selection, the Jets selected C  Nick Mangold to replace the recently released Pro-Bowler Kevin Mawae.  RB Leon Washington was also selected in the 2006 NFL Draft to take over for the recently retired Curtis Martin and QB Kellen Clemens was selected as well to be the future starter.

The 2006 season was much more successful for the Jets.  They finished 10-6, reached the postseason, and Chad Pennington received the Comeback Player of the Year Award.  Still, there were some glaring weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball.  Head coach Eric Mangini decided it would be in their best interest to transition from the 4-3 to the 3-4.  In the 2007 NFL Draft the Jets were very aggressive in their pursuit of two players which they felt would have an immediate impact.  Cornerback was a position in flux for the Jets; they started 4 different players at the position in the 2006.  In the first round of the NFL Draft the Jets traded up to select CB Darrelle Revis.  The Jets also needed another ILB to fit in their new 3-4 scheme, so they traded up in the second round to select David Harris.

The Jets struggled in 2007 and finished 4-12 as the rebuilding process continued.  Quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens split time starting on offense and there were growing pains in the new 3-4 defense.  It became apparent that ILB Jonathan Vilma was not going to be successful in the 3-4.  He was traded to the New Orleans Saints for a 4th round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NFL Draft (which later became a 3rd rounder.)  The Jets again attempted to address their defense in the 2008 NFL Draft by selecting DE Vernon Gholston to be a pass rushing OLB and selecting CB Dwight Lowery with the 4th round pick acquired from New Orleans.  They also traded up to select TE Dustin Keller in the 1st round.  To solidify their defense, the Jets acquired NT Kris Jenkins via trade.

In 2008, the New York Jets started 8-3.  Their defense looked formidable, and the offense was able to consistently move the football thanks to newly acquired QB Brett Favre.   However, injuries to Favre and David Harris began taking their toll and they finished the season only 9-7.  Head coach Eric Mangini was held responsible and he was replaced by Raven’s defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.  The retirement of Brett Favre left the Jets with Kellen Clemens as their only option to be their opening day starter for the 2009 season.  The Jets organization felt they had seen enough from Clemens to determine that he was not their QB of the future, so they looked to the 2009 NFL Draft.  Once again the Jets were aggressive on draft day, trading with the Cleveland Browns to acquire the 5th overall selection where they selected QB Mark Sanchez.  They also traded their 3rd round pick (acquired in the Jonathan Vilma trade) plus 4th and 7th rounders to move into the first pick of the 3rd round, where they selected RB Shonn Greene.

The 2009 NFL season has been the culmination of 4 years of rebuilding for the New York Jets.  They’ve experienced some difficulties throughout the season with their Rookie QB and Head Coach, but they now find themselves in the AFC Championship Game.  Much of the success they are currently enjoying can be directly attributed to their success in the NFL Draft.  Aside from Vernon Gholston (who is a complete bust) and to a lesser extent Kellen Clemens, the Jets have done a tremendous job of obtaining talent through the draft.  Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum should be commended for the job he has done targeting players in the NFL Draft, and doing what it takes to acquire them.   Darrelle Revis, David Harris, Dustin Keller, Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene were all selected by moving up in the NFL Draft.  Former Head Coach Eric Mangini and current Head Coach Rex Ryan also deserve credit for the role they’ve played in rebuilding this franchise.

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