I know i'll be in the minority here on this topic but not only do I think it's a great idea, I think it's very realistic.

Mike Iupati is a 6'6 330 pound offensive guard from Idaho. He's the best guard prospect to come out in quite some time and is currently projected as a late first round pick/early second. I know our offensive line was a strength for us this year and did a great job protecting Sanchez and opening up holes for Jones and Greene but having the opportunity to get younger and upgrade at the same time by drafting a special o-line prospect is something that would be really hard to pass up.

In 2006 we were coming off of an awful season that was filled with injuries and we had gaping holes at many positions. Our new GM Mike Tannenbaum just traded our best defesive player (John Abraham) to Atlanta for the 29h overall pick (which ironically is our pick now). We still had our pro bowl future HOF center Kevin Mawae or he was a FA but could have been brought back but we declined and Tannenbaum, despite having so mnay holes decided to draft a Center in the first round. A lot of people were screaming about that pick because we didn't get better anywhere and we only replaced an already great player.

Today Nick Mangold is the anchor of our offensive line and the best center in the NFL. It was an unpopular move to many then but worked out tremendously well for us ever since.

The point is, despite Faneca and Moore both being good guards who are part of a great offensive line, I think the Jets will be in position to draft the next Steve Hutchinson with the 29th pick. Drafting a young phenom like Iupati would give us an absolutely dominant o-line for the next decade and a line capable of keeping our running game dominant the way we need it to be.

I'm curious to everyone's thoughts on this even though i'm almost certain of what you'll say already. Keep in mind he's not my first choice for our first round pick but he's up there right now. Drafting offensive line in the first round is never sexy and we have bigger needs but this is a pick that could pay off hugely. A great pass protecter who is also capable of pulling and being a lead blocker but most importantly, a big nasty mauler:





Thoughts?

ehh I'm not sure

This offensive line has now played 2 straight seasons together. They are all durable and play every game. We just signed Brandon Moore to a 4 yr extension. Faneca is signed for 2 more years.

I'd much rather fill a current need with our 1st round pick. Yeah we could have an even younger and greater o-line for the future but this doesn't allow us to fill some glaring needs.

Great point with the Mawae/Mangold referance, but Faneca is'nt leaving any time soon and it would be a shame to have a talent like Iupati sitting on the bench.

Thanks.

I agree, I definetly wouldn't draft Iupati unless he would be able to start right away. I don't know what they would do with Moore/Faneca but they could either buy one of them out or try to make a trade. I'm sure a team would love to add a good guard with reasonable contracts which they both have.

quote:

Originally posted by ozzman:
Thanks.

I agree, I definetly wouldn't draft Iupati unless he would be able to start right away. I don't know what they would do with Moore/Faneca but they could either buy one of them out or try to make a trade. I'm sure a team would love to add a good guard with reasonable contracts which they both have.

Your thought is very,very tempting,Ozz! If the kid is blue chip quality and the best player available and you pick him over a stretch for need,go for it! Brandon Moore had a surprisingly fine season. Quite possibly it was a career year. If Iupati is as good as projected,it wouldn't be out of the question to shop Brandon for a 3rd round pick,perhaps to the fool in Oakland who's OL is very shaky.

That would be great if you could get a 3rd rounder for moore, because with age catching up moore is unlikely to have many more years like the one he had last year.

quote:

Originally posted by Maine33:
That would be great if you could get a 3rd rounder for moore, because with age catching up moore is unlikely to have many more years like the one he had last year.

If Oakland,it would be a high 3rd rounder to boot. Just dream'n!!!

Clevland would be a good destination too, i'm sure mangini would love to have moore back.

THAT might not be a bad idea,gettin this guy,even tho we have O-Line basicall injury free for 2 years,that can change quickly as we well know.THIS guy sounds like a Monster just like Mangold is for us!

I have to say i'm really surprised by how open all of you are to this idea. I thought for sure that it would be dismissed before he was even given a chance.

It's certainly not unrealistic to think we could get a good pick for either Faneca or Moore. Offensive lineman are always a hot market and guards like these two either aren't available or you have to severely overpay for one of thier caliber. Trading a 3rd-4th round pick for a good guard with a good reasonable contract is something teams would jump at imo.

Here are two videos of Iupati for anyone who didn't get to see him play this year:

Video 1


Video 2

I just saw this stat after watching the first video, 807 plays...0 sacks allowed.

He appears to be abit flawed with his pass blocking technique,Ozz. Although he didn't allow any sacks, it would be interesting to know how many holding penalties were called against him this past season. Mayock accurately pointed out, rather than closed fist punching,he has a penchant for grabbing the opposing lineman. He does look like an imposing athlete though and did a nice job run blocking in todays Senior Bowl.

I assume he wasn't penalized much by the way they were talking about it because they seemed surprised and kept saying things like "come one Mike that's not you, you're better than that" but I honestly don't know how much he's been penalized at Idaho.

Poor Iupati had to go up against Dan Williams and Terrance Cody. Hes not gonna face many players bigger than them once he gets to the NFL. I also thought it was pretty awesome how he was able to switch from Rg back to his natural Lg position and not skip a beat (aside from the penalties).

quote:

Originally posted by ozzman:
I assume he wasn't penalized much by the way they were talking about it because they seemed surprised and kept saying things like "come one Mike that's not you, you're better than that" but I honestly don't know how much he's been penalized at Idaho.

Poor Iupati had to go up against Dan Williams and Terrance Cody. Hes not gonna face many players bigger than them once he gets to the NFL. I also thought it was pretty awesome how he was able to switch from RG back to his natural LG position and not skip a beat (aside from the penalties).

The way I saw it,he was switched from RG back to his natural LG position because he was struggling at the former. With Faneca (at LG)not going anywhere,I now have some doubts about this kids versitility and being an automatic success at the next level. Of course there is the possibility he just had a so-so day. After all he isn't perfect.

I think he did his job at Rg but he certainly wasn't great like he usually is at Lg.

It seems more and more likely that Iupati will be a top 20 pick now. Mayock said he may be the best lineman in the entire draft, he still won't go before Russell Okung but they're saying he could be a top 15 pick before the combine. If he has an impressive showing at the combine there's no way he'll drop out of the top 20.

With our 29th pick...in this mock draft:

The Jets Pick.

Terrence Cody - DT - Alabama

The Jets continued to win this season without one of their star defenders, Kris Jenkins. Cody seems like more of a second round prospect but benefits from being one of only a few talented nose tackles in the draft. The Jets are a fairly balanced team and use a heavy rotation on defense. They could look to go wide receiver here but this may be a bigger need.

Damian Williams - WR - USC Williams is a smooth runner and a technician as a route runner who always finds a way to get open. His stock will climb higher the more he works out for NFL scouts.

Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard.

Kyle Wilson of Boise State.