Jets selected DE Quinton Coples yesterday with the 16th pick overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. This marks the second straight year the Jets have gone defense in the draft after selecting DE Muhammad Wilkerson last year. Rex Ryan said that Coples reminded him of Shaun Ellis and Trevor Pryce. Though a talented football player, many draft gurus questioned his motor based on a sub-par senior year. He caught the attention of NFL scouts with a 10 sack junior season but those numbers dropped down to 7.5 sacks this year. Hopefully, Ryan will be able to keep up his effort this coming season because with his endless talent he can be a force on the defense this year.

Jetsman05′s analysis of Coples:

Quinton Coples left some Jets fans scrambling for information where he would fit in and how we plan to use him.

Strengths:

  • Physically gifted
  • Quick off the ball
  • Versatile (3-4 DE, 4-3 DE or UT)
  • Good against the run, upside rushing the passer
  • Length
  • UPSIDE

Weakness:

  • Work ethic questions
  • Inconsistent motor
  • Technique moving to a 5-tech

My Thoughts:

Probably best suited for a 4-3 system where he can line up as a DE or UT, but he’s physically and athletically gifted enough to make a transition to the 3-4. He’ll have to learn to use more leverage and his hands better. Technique is pretty much the biggest question for him, he’s a tall guy so if he comes out of his stance too high, he can be dislodged which has a much bigger downfall in a 3-4 scheme.

Played more UT for UNC as a Junior and was more productive, which showed he could expose single coverage against lesser talent at C/OG in college. When he moved to DE, he saw more double teams and it slowed down his production a bit. He doesn’t have a wide variety of pass rushing moves, but he has the athletic gifts to learn some.

I think ideally the Jets look at him as someone who eventually will be able to play 3 positions, DE and OLB in a 3-4… and UT when we go with 4 down linemen. Something Rex really tends to like in his players. Upside is immensely high, and the downside isn’t as low as some people think because he will be taught to play as an end in the 3-4 at first.

Upside: Pro-bowl player who can be moved all over the front 7 to cause havoc.
Downside: Space eater (which are always rostered for a 3-4)

Final Grade: B. Would of preferred a true pass rushing threat off the edge. But the glamour of Coples upside and versatility was too much for the Jets to pass up. I don’t hate the pick, especially if we find value at our biggest needs later in the draft.

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Source : Jets draft Quinton Coples in Round 1