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Reliving Jets’ horrific 2014 NFL Draft and what could’ve been
It was the 2014 NFL Draft that changed the course of Jets history. It is a draft that will live in infamy among Jets fans. It is the worst draft in Jets history, and arguably The Worst Draft in NFL History. It crippled the franchise. John Idzik, the GM conducting his second and last draft …
It was the 2014 NFL Draft that changed the course of Jets history.
It is a draft that will live in infamy among Jets fans.
It is the worst draft in Jets history, and arguably The Worst Draft in NFL History.
It crippled the franchise.
John Idzik, the GM conducting his second and last draft before he and Rex Ryan gave way to Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, who have given way to Adam Gase and Joe Douglas, used every one of his 12 picks, refusing to maximize his draft capital to maneuver up the draft board for more desirable prospects.
It isn’t only the players drafted, it is the players Idzik could have drafted in their places when he picked them.
Read it and weep, Jets fans.
The Dirty Dozen:
Round 1
SS Calvin Pryor, the 18th-overall pick, was hailed by Idzik and Ryan as an enforcer. He lasted three seasons (191 total tackles, two interceptions, 14 passes defensed).
Could have had
OT Ju’wuan James (19): He started all 62 of the games he played for the Dolphins before fetching a four-year, $52 million deal from the Broncos.
WR Brandin Cooks (20): He caught 215 passes across three years with the Saints, with 20 touchdowns and a pair of 1,000-yard seasons, before being traded to the Patriots for the 32nd pick of the 2017 draft, which Sean Payton parlayed into stud RT Ryan Ramczyk. Traded Thursday to the Texans from the Rams.
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21): A 2016 Pro Bowler who lasted five seasons in Green Bay (378 combined tackles, 14 INTs, 5.5 sacks) before a trade to the Redskins and one season with the Bears. Now a Cowboy.
DE Dee Ford (23): Registered 30.5 sacks over five seasons as a Chief before being traded to the 49ers for a second-rounder. Ford signed a five-year, $85 million contract and recorded 6.5 sacks over 11 games in 2019.
Round 2
TE Jace Amaro, the 49th pick, caught 38 passes and two TDs as a rookie and finished with 38 passes and two TDs with the Jets following a torn shoulder labrum that cost him the 2015 season.
Could have had
WR Davante Adams (53): Over six seasons in Green Bay, he has 431 receptions for 5,194 yards and 44 TDs and is a three-time Pro Bowler.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (62): He threw five TD passes without an interception in three seasons as Tom Brady’s backup in New England before being traded for a second-rounder. Jimmy GQ (27 TDs, 13 INTs) helped lead the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV.
WR Jarvis Landry (63): In four seasons in Miami, he caught 400 passes for 4,038 yards and 22 TDs before being traded by Gase & Co. to the Browns for fourth- and seventh-round picks. He enjoyed his third 1,000-yard season in his second season in Cleveland.
Round 3
CB Dexter McDougle was the 80th pick. In 20 games as a Jet, he did not have an interception.
Could have had
G Gabe Jackson (81): Has started 83 games over six years as a Raider.
G Trai Turner (92): Started 80 games in six seasons in Carolina with five consecutive Pro Bowls before being traded to the Chargers for LT Russell Okung.
CB Bashaud Breeland (102): In four years with the Redskins, had eight INTs with 60 PDs and 270 combined tackles.
Round 4 (1)
WR/PR Jalen Saunders was the 104th pick. As a rookie, he didn’t catch a pass and returned six punts for 26 yards with two fumbles in his only season with the Jets.
Could have had
C Russell Bodine (111): Started all 16 games in each of his four seasons in Cincinnati.
DT DaQuan Jones (112): In six seasons in Tennessee, he has 186 combined tackles and 7 sacks.
Round 4 (2)
WR Shaquelle Evans was the 115th pick. Never got on the field for a single game.
Could have had
OLB Anthony Hitchens (119): Had 304 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks in four seasons as a Cowboy.
CB Pierre Desir (127): In 29 starts over three years in Indianapolis, recorded three INTs with 26 PDs. Now a Jet.
S Tre Boston (128): Three INTs, two sacks and 108 combined tackles in three years in Carolina. Eight INTs over past two seasons with Chargers and Cardinals. Back with Panthers.
RB James White (130): In six seasons as a Patriot, has caught 320 passes for 2,809 yards and 24 TDs, and has 1,119 rushing yards and eight TDs.
Round 4 (3)
G Dakota Dozier was the 138th pick. Started seven games in five seasons as a Jet.
Could have had
OT Cameron Fleming (140): Started 20 games in four seasons in New England.
FS Richardo Allen (147): In five seasons in Atlanta, has recorded nine INTs, 21 PDs with 314 combined tackles.
ILB Avery Williamson was the 151st pick. Over four years in Tennessee, had 377 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two INTs and eight PDs. Signed with Jets in 2018.
Round 5
LB Jeremiah George was the 154th pick. Practice squadder as a rookie until Jaguars claimed him that September.
Could have had
C Corey Linsley (161): Has started 86 games over six seasons in Green Bay and a Pro Bowl alternate in 2018 and ’19.
OLB Devon Kennard (174): Had 9.5 sacks and an interception with 213 combined tackles in four years as a Giant.
Round 6 (1)
CB Brandon Dixon was the 195th pick. Did not play a down for the Jets.
Could have had
G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (200): Has started 57 games over six years in Kansas City.
C Matt Paradis (207): Started 57 games over four seasons in Denver before signing three-year, $27 million deal with Panthers.
Round 6 (2)
WR Quincy Enunwa was the 209th pick. Caught 118 passes for 1,621 yards and five TDs from 2016-18 before the injury bug bit him hard. Last Man Standing from this draft.
Round 6 (3)
LB IK Enemkpali was the 210th pick. Registered three combined tackles, two PDs and one broken jaw (belonging to teammate Geno Smith) as a Jet.
Round 6 (4)
QB Tajh Boyd was the 213th pick. Never threw a pass as a Jet.
Could have had
S Andre Hal (216): Has registered 12 INTs, 31 PDs with 189 combined tackles in five seasons with the Texans.
DT Beau Allen (224): Had 87 combined tackles and two sacks in four seasons as an Eagle.
Round 7
LB Trevor Reilly was the 233rd pick. 31 combined tackles in two seasons as a Jet.
Could have had
OT Seantrel Henderson (237): Started 34 games over four seasons in Buffalo.
OT Charles Leno Jr. (246): Has started 78 games in six games as a Bear.
What followed has been six consecutive seasons out of the playoffs to bring the Jets’ drought to nine. Maccagnan, who at least gifted the Jets Sam Darnold, missed plenty, too. Douglas’ first draft will be a virtual draft. You can be virtually assured he won’t get caught in the draft like this.
