Tight end Jace Amaro was the Jets’ second pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
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By all accounts, it was a solid draft for the Jets, who went into the first round with 12 draft picks and left with 12 players.
Dan Shonka is a former NFL scout with the Eagles, Redskins and Chiefs who also boasts coaching experience at the college level. Now the general manager and national scout for the recruiting website OurLads.com, Shonka gave Metro his assessment of the Jets’ top two draft picks, starting with Jace Amaro.
Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro, taken in the second round, came from a system where he was utilized not as much for his blocking as for his receiving ability.
Shonka wrote a report on Amaro for Metro, based on the type of dossier he’d have written for an NFL team.
Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
Junior entry. Two-year starter. Moves like a wide receiver for a big man. Especially effective on seam routes. Not afraid to catch the ball in traffic over the middle. Can take a hit and hold onto the ball. Works the underneath zones with good awareness and cutting ability.
Good run after catch ability dropping his shoulder and plowing over anything in his way. The prolific hand catcher has good contact balance. He has the route savvy to produce in a variety of alignments — slot, wide receiver, or on the line. Strong and consistent hands. Physical and competitive at the ball where he is a mismatch with defensive backs.
A hybrid player with good ball skills. Separates from the defender with quickness or speed. Competitive with a gritty nasty streak. Needs to roll his hips on contact when base blocking and shock you with his hand punch. Will also need footwork on wide rushing defensive ends.
2013 stats: 106 catches, 1,352 yards, 12.8 yards per reception, seven touchdowns
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
