Day Two Complete
The New York Jets completed their 2006 NFL Draft Sunday with five selections highlighted by the picks of former Missouri QB Brad Smith and Florida State RB Leon Washington.
Smith, 6'2", 210 pounds, is a tremendous athlete who could be used at a number of offensive positions at the next level.
The former Missouri quarterback started all 48 games during his college career, throwing for 8,799 yards while rushing for 4,289 yards with 101 career touchdowns (56 throwing). Smith holds the NCAA Div. I-A career rushing record for QBs, with 4,289 yards, and he became the first NCAA Div. I-A QB to throw for 8,000 yards and rush for 4,000 yards in a career. In his final game, Smith rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns in an Independence Bowl victory over South Carolina. In 2003, Smith had a career day against Texas Tech, rushing for 291 yards and five touchdowns.
Washington gives the Jets more depth in the backfield behind veterans Curtis Martin and Cedric Houston. In his senior year, Washington, 5'9", 202 pounds, rushed for 459 yards and three touchdowns, while catching 25 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown. He comes to Jets camp as the only player in the Bobby Bowden era to score touchdowns five different ways (run, reception, punt return, kickoff return and a fumble recovery). As a junior in 2004, Washington earned Gator Bowl Most Valuable Player honors after running 12 times for a career-high 195 yards in the Seminoles' victory over West Virginia. His 16.3-yard per rush average in that Gator Bowl game set a Seminole single-game record and his 195 yards is a Seminole Bowl Game record. Washington also ranks 10th in FSU history with 2,041 rushing yards. He also possesses good return skills and will be valuable on Mike Westhoff's unit.
The Jets moved back in round five, swapping selections with the Dallas Cowboys (138 overall for 150 overall) and obtaining the 'Boys sixth round selection (189 overall). Then the Green & White selected Jason Pociask, a tight end from Wisconsin.
Pociask, 6'3", 267 pounds, is a multipurpose tight end who will also compete at fullback and special teams for the Jets. His character fits the common trend of the previous Jets draft picks, which has been of strong stature. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference selection and was also the recipient of the school's Ivan Williamson Scholastic Award as a senior. Pociask is a very intelligent player and an exceptional blocker.
A round later, the Jets tabbed TCU cornerback Drew Coleman.
Coleman, 5'11", 173 pounds, returned four interceptions for 90 yards last season for the Horned Frogs. In addition, he returned five punts and two kicks for 32 and 29 yards respectively. Coleman was named an All-American by the NJCAA and Junior College Gridiron Magazine in 2002 after scoring eight times (six rushing) at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, Texas) and returning 11 kickoffs for 260 yards.
The Jets 10th and final selection came in the seventh round when the club selected Nebraska DT Titus Adams.
Adams, 6'3", 300 pounds, registered 135 total tackles over the course of his four-year career. Last season as senior, he played in all 12 games, racking up 50 total tackles including five tackles for a loss. In 2003, he returned an interception three yards for a touchdown. He was also added as a TE in a goal line play that season, proving his athleticism.
On Saturday, the Green & White fortified their offensive line in the first round with the additions of Virginia T D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Ohio State C Nick Mangold. In round two, the Jets added mobile Oregon QB Kellen Clemens. Both Ohio State LB Anthony Schlegel and Michigan State S Eric Smith were selected in round three.
