Draft day decision makers: New York Jets

The New York Jets promoted Mike Tannenbaum to General Manger in 2006. He has been with the team since 1997. A lot of people don’t know this but he is also a Bill Belichick disciple as he worked for him with the Cleveland Browns in the personnel department. He also interned with the New Orleans Saints while he was attending law school. His time with the Jets was mostly served in an administrative role, but this guy know how to run a NFL team. He has also done very well on draft day.

We know that Tannenbaum likes to draft kids from BCS programs, and his team views players from smaller schools as undrafted free agents. He also likes to move up in the draft and get the player he wants. His only miss early was Vernon Gholston, otherwise moving up has served him very well. In his time as GM he has hit on a number of early draft picks, and that is why the Jets are such a good team.

The only knock on his draft day strategy is he yet to find a lot of players deep in the draft. Of course 2009 sixth round pick Matt Slauson has developed into a starter at LG. After making 10 picks in the 2006 draft this team has used its picks to move up and have only made 17 picks since 2007. That takes his draft day grade way up as he has hit with a lot less picks.

Related Links:

• New York Jets War Room
• Joshua Lobdell.com