The offseason so far has been both exalting and depressing if you’re a Jet fan like me. For the past year or so, fans have been calling for the head of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer because of his inability to correctly utilize the strengths of the offense. On top of that, he has done a poor job developing so-called franchise quarterback Mark Sanchez who, with another poor season, will be slapped with the bust label very quickly. The Jets front office heard the calls of Jets fans and media alike and decided to ax Brian Schottenheimer on January 10. His replacement will be former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano. This benefits the Jets on multiple fronts, but none bigger than the fact that Sparano is a guy who wants to run the football. This Jets team is not in rebuilding mode, but rather in revival mode. A fresh start.

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New York Jets Mock Draft – A Fresh Start - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Cam Newton carried the offense last season

This is one of our new writers debut post, feel free to welcome to the team and give him some feedback.

5. Carolina Panthers 2011 record (6-10) projected 2012 record (9-7)

I am going out on a limb on this selection more than any other on this list. But now that Cam Newton has officially had one of the, if not the greatest season a rookie quarterback has ever had, it makes it a little bit easier.

The Panthers had the 3rd best rushing offense in the NFL last season averaging 150.5 yards a game, now pair that with the 13th best passing average in the league at 239.3 yards a game and you have a team that can move the ball. Not to mention all of this offense was generated by a rookie who missed out on OTA’s and most of training camp because of the lockout. Carolina also had 5 losses last season by 7 points or less and another loss by 8 points, this tells you that as long as this young team stays hungry they are one big play away from adding to their 6 wins from this past year.

Now for the reason why the Panthers lost so many of those close games last season. It’s never a good sign for your team when your 24th ranked pass defense giving up 246.8 yards a game holds the highest ranking on the team, the Panthers also had the 25th ranked rush defense as well giving up 130.8 yards a game.  That all adds up to giving up too many yards and the 28th ranked total defense in the NFL last season and unless your named Rodgers or Brady it’s hard to carry that on offense.

The Panthers will pick either 8th or 9th in the 2012 draft depending upon the outcome of a coin flip. Having already given up their 3rd round pick to acquire Greg Olsen before last season they have only 6 total picks in this years draft. I think the Panthers will try to address their second receiver need through free agency. Unless they find themselves in a best player available situation, I see only one direction for the Panthers to go in the draft and that is on the defensive side of the ball. Cam has shown he can carry a mediocre offense but that doesn’t matter if the defense can’t stop anyone.

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5 Teams that missed the playoffs but will make it in 2012 and their draft needs - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Hakeem Nicks vs Darrel Revis is THE matchup of the game for me

The New York Giants and New York Jets have been two of the most disappointing teams in the entire league this year. Both have struggled with inconsistent play, had bad losses (the Giants more so than the Jets) and both after starting the season strong are in danger of missing the playoffs. In fact, this Saturday day game could be the final straw for the losing team (though both technically could still be alive with a loss).

How did it come to this: for the Jets they have had a difficult time stopping opponets in critical moments and have seen their quarterback play (despite his decent numbers) been brutal for much of the season. For the Giants: They  just can not stop Anyone with their defense.

Let’s break it down, as always I’ll look first and foremost at the young guys.

Jason Pierre Paul vs D’Brickshaw Ferguson

With the way that Justin Tuck is playing this year and how poorly Wayne Hunter has been, the Giants should line Jason Pierre Paul up at LDE and let him embarrass Wayne Hunter. But they won’t. They will play Tuck at LDE and Pierre Paul at RDE and hope he can consistently beat Ferguson one on one and probably help Hunter out on a sore Justin Tuck. Can Pierre Paul do it? He’s coming off a 16 tackle sack performance, after an 8 tackle, 2 sacks safety, FF, blocked field goal performance. He might be the hottest defensive end in the game right now.

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New York Giants at New York Jets Two Teams Enter One Team Leaves - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Trading Peyton Manning is the Right Move - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

C.J. Spiller's chance to shine has finally arrived

Today the struggling Buffalo Bills will travel to the New York Jets to take on the slightly less struggling New York Jets. A month ago both of these teams were looking really good for the playoffs, now the Jets have the inside track to the playoffs but could find themselves on the outside looking in with any more bad losses because they have 5 losses in their conference. The Jets also have three difficult games left at Philadelphia, with the Giants, and at the suddenly impressive Miami Dolphins. A slip up against the Bills will likely cost them a playoff birth.

The Bills go into this game banged up having lost their best offensive and defensive players for the season (Fred Jackson and Kyle Williams). T Demetrius Bell, is finally likely to play, but WR Donald Jones and Naaman Roosevelt are out. K Rian Lindell is out. CB Terrance McGee is out. S George Wilson is Out.

For the Jets they are rather healthy, just banged up. They have 16 players listed on their injury report. Jeremey Kerley and Landanian Tomlinson are the only two as questionable the other 14 are probable.

If you like watching you guys this is the game for you, especially the Bills who will be playing them in droves.

C.J. Spiller vs the Jets defense

C.J. Spiller has dynamic ability, but might just have been drafted by the wrong team. He’s behind one of the best all around backs in the league, Fred Jackson, who does not need to come out in passing situations. Well, now that he is out for the season Spiller will have many opportunities to prove his worth. Spiller is fast, shifty, and a terrific receiver (could probably play WR with a ton of seasoning). The Jets defense has struggled this year to stop the run and the past few seasons to cover running backs out of the backfield. If Spiller wants to prove his worth it starts today, if he has a huge day it will be great for the Bills chances today, but more important for the future.

I think Spiller’s speed could cause problems for the Jets in the screen game and is a very nice flex option for your fantasy football team.

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Buffalo Bills at New York Jets: C.J. Spiller’s Second Chance - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

1. Whether or not Willis McGahee plays

The Broncos were able to thrash the Chiefs on the ground with Lance Ball, something that was quite unexpected but I don’t think there’s any question that the offense stalled a bit when Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee both left with injuries. McGahee was cleared to play on Sunday, but was kept out for fear of aggravating the injury. McGahee has been limited in practice this week, and is questionable to play but will be a game-time decision.

This is a huge decision for the Broncos, because this is a potentially must-win game within the conference against another playoff contender, and if the Broncos are going to continue to win games, they will need McGahee.

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Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets What to Watch For - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

This is Reggie’s newewst 3rd round mock draft. Later in the week, Jesse will post his newest updated mock draft.  For all of our scouting reports of many of these players (100+ scouting reports) go to our scouting report page

1. Indianapolis Colts                   Andrew Luck             QB           Stanford

There is no way that Bill Polian and Colts can pass this type of player up.  I love Peyton Manning and I think he can be productive for 1-2 more years.  Perfect grooming time for Andrew Luck. Drafting Luck allows him to prosper without the amount of pressure he would face in his rookie season as a starter as the Colts transition from Luck to Manning. 

2. St. Louis Rams                   Matt Kalil                  OT            USC

Spagnuolu wants a dominate OL.  He has drafted high picks as well as high FA spenditures.  With his high picks Jason Smith needs to move to guard and Saffold would be a better RT.  Kalil would complete the OL and give the Rams a franchise LT capable of impacting both run blocking and pass blocking.     

3. Washington Redskins          Matt Barkley              QB           USC

What giving up on Grossman/Beck combo already?  If Shanahan wants to succeed he knows he needs a QB.  I think Barkley will appeal to him with his athleticism, strong arm, and brash attitude. 

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2012 3 Round Mock Draft: Robert Griffin will be the next Aaron Rogers - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Aaron Maybin Has been Infinitely More productive with the Jets than he was with the Bills

There hasn’t been this much excitement for a Buffalo Bills home game in some time (perhaps the Monday Night game vs the Dallas Cowboys) as the 5-2 Bills will host the 4-3 Jets in a game that could really be for the playoffs. If the Bills win they will be 6-2 with very winnable games left vs the Dolphins (two of them), Denver, and the Titans. They also play the Patriots, Cowboys, Jets again, and Chargers.

If the Jets lose this game they will be 4-4 with games still left vs the Patriots, Buffalo Again, the suddenly good Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles, the Giants. And very winnable games vs the Dolphins (1), Denver and the Redskins.

The Jets are 3-1 under Rex Ryan.

Here are somethings to watch for, with a slight focus on the rookies and young guys. The Bills have two big losses for this game NT Kyle Williams, their best defensive player and Demetrius Bell their starting LT.

Aaron Maybin/Calvin Pace vs Chris Hairston

One of the big losses for the Bills on Sunday is Starting LT Demetrius Bell. He will be replaced by rookie Chris Hairston who did a solid job vs Jason Pierre Paul and Osi Umeinyora before he was hurt in the Bills lost to the Giants. Aaron Maybin has been rejuvenated playing for the New York Jets with three sacks on the season (three more than he had the entire time he was with the Buffalo Bills). The Jets have figured out how to use Maybin in space and just let him use his speed to chase the quarterback. The Jets don’t really have a pass rush outside of Maybin and Pace, who both lead the team with 3 sacks. It doesn’t help that the Jets use a lot of different blitzes.

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Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets What To Watch For - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Michael Floyd Has Character Concerns, but someone will draft him in the first round because he is very talented

Because I’m crazy I’m going to start doing full 7 round mock drafts already. I’ll do one for each team between now and declaration day. So far I’ve done the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills and today I’ll get to the New York Jets.

I’m going to assume the Jets are picking around 20th.

For the first three rounds I’m going to use Dan Kadar of Mocking the Draft’s big board

Round 1 Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame

I know the consensus here is OLB pass rusher, but I think the pass rushing class is a bit weak, which means it’s possible someone gets drafted and Aaron Maybin is showing something as a pass rusher. Michael Floyd is supremely talented, but has the dreaded character concerns lable. YOu know who thinks they have the coach to handle character concerns? the New York Jets. This isn’t quite Dez Bryant falling to the Cowboys in the late twenties kind of steal, but it is a steal. Floyd’s size and ability to go up and get the ball will be a nice complement to Santonio Holmes.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft New York Jets 7 Round Mock Draft - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football