Instead, McShay, in what he calls his "Grade A" mock, assesses need and value for a team in a given round, and choosing a player based on that team's need. Just for kicks, McShay went ahead and did this for the first three rounds.
Here's what McShay offered up for the Jets:
Round 1 (20): Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Round 2 (51): Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Round 3 (83): Joshua Perry, ILB, Ohio State
Analysis: We downgraded Hargreaves a bit because of his less-than-ideal measurables (5-foot-10 frame and 30 5/8-inch arms), but he has the aggressiveness and confidence to develop into a quality starting CB on the outside. The Jets need one of those to play opposite Darrelle Revis after cutting Antonio Cromartie. Spence fell to the second round here because of his off-field mishaps, but he has skill set to develop into an impact pass-rusher in the NFL.
You'll notice there's no quarterback on that list. But the Jets could always grab a quarterback after Round 3.
All three of these picks would fill needs for the Jets, even if that wouldn't be the case in the short term.
Marcus Williams is expected to lead a crowded field of contenders for Cromartie's old job as the No. 2 cornerback, but Williams is by no means a slam dunk to win the job. Hargreaves would be a great fit for the Jets, but he's also widely expected to get selected in the Top 10.
Spence is a name that's been bandied about plenty as a possibility for the Jets at No. 20—McShay included. But in this version, McShay has Spence slipping into the second round, and while Spence may not fall all the way to No. 51, his ability would seem to make him the ideal edge type the Jets are seeking.
Perry isn't a guy whose skills are going to make anyone forget about David Harris, the Jets' longtime MIKE linebacker. But Perry has the strength, closing speed, and tackling ability to be worth a look. With Erin Henderson and Bruce Carter in the mix, plus Taiwan Jones, an undrafted free agent from last year the Jets like, Perry would have plenty of competition as a rookie.
