Favre Gone; Is Sanchez Next?

With yesterday's announcement that Brett Favre would be retiring, let the speculation begin: Who will be the next quarterback of the New York Jets?

The Jets have three QBs currently on their roster: Kellen Clemens, Erik Ainge and Brett Ratliff. But they also have the No. 17 overall pick, and there is heavy speculation that USC QB Mark Sanchez could fall to New York. The Trojans gunslinger would be a welcome addition in NY. He is in the pro mold with an excellent arm and good smarts. He makes pretty good reads and can be effective in short-yardage and home run ball situations.

There is some question, however, as to whether or not Sanchez will be available at 17. There is widespread speculation that the Kansas City Chiefs (3rd overall) and San Francisco 49ers (10th overall) are interested in taking Sanchez, if he isn't drafted by the Detroit Lions with the first overall selection.

There is also the possibility of the Jets trading down in the first round and selecting Kansas State's Josh Freeman, although it is more likely that they will take one of the big two or no QB at all.

I think Sanchez will be available at 17, and it will be hard for the Jets to pass him up, given his skill level coming out of a pro system at USC. If you asked me to mock the draft today, Sanchez would be a Jet.

TOP 5: Quarterbacks

(1) Matthew Stafford, Georgia
(1) Mark Sanchez, USC
(3) Josh Freeman, Kansas State
(4) Nate Davis, Ball State
(5) Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State

The question at the quarterback position remains: Who is number one? Is it Stafford or Sanchez?. Depending on who you ask, you will get a different answer. I have done nothing to settle that debate because I truly see them on equal footing for now. That could change, of course, as teams continue to evaluate their performance at the various scouting stops.

Everyone agrees, however, that after these two, it's really slim pickings. Freeman has ascended the draft charts to be the (almost) consensus number three, with Davis close behind.

Everyone also seems to be in agreement that Texas Tech's Graham Harrell and Missouri's Chase Daniel are quickly falling out of favor. I was never high on Harrell, but I think Daniel could surprise as a late-round draft pick.

Other names to watch: Drew Willy (Buffalo), Cullen Harper (Clemson), Rudy Carpenter (Arizona State)
These are not the next three names on my list, but they're three guys who should garner some attention on day two and, if drafted, have a lot of potential.

Mock Critique: Kiper Version 1.0

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. released his first 2009 mock draft, which officially signals the start of the 2009 mocking season. Usually, anything done before that is simply attempts at grabbing the air. Nothing substantive occurs until the Duke of the Draft...ok, I'll stop putting Kiper on a pedestal.

But with the release of Kiper's first version (which, to no surprise, is only available in part to non-Insider subscribers [don't worry, I'll critique the second half of the first round too)], it provides us with some things to talk about.

There are a few picks I can't agree with. We'll start with my beloved New York Jets. There's just no way they can take Florida WR Percy Harvin with the 17th pick. There's no denying the Jets need a receiver to step up and be a big-play guy, but Harvin is not the answer. He's only about 5-10, and while he's an explosive weapon who can play multiple positions, he doesn't fit the type of receiver the team needs. They need a tall receiver - not another Santana Moss.

Backtracking for a moment, Kiper has the Kansas City Chiefs going with USC QB Mark Sanchez at No. 3. I'm not sold on this, at least for now. Tyler Thigpen showed considerable growth throughout the season, and I have to think there's some institutional confidence in him - perhaps enough to mean KC will not go QB in the first round.

A team that I do think will eventually take a quarterback is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, I don't think they will go that route in the first round. Kiper has the team grabbing Josh Freeman, the signal-caller from Kansas State, at 19. Freeman's stock has taken a jump in recent weeks, but I'm not sold on him. I think the team is more likely to use a late-round selection to draft a QB. To me, it makes sense to remain with Jeff Garcia at the helm, at least for the first year of the new coaching regime. I know the rookie coach-QB combo worked this year, but I wouldn't expect similar results.