New York Jets: The ten plagues of the NFL Draft part I
Russell Carter
Despite finishing seventh in the NFL in pass defense in 1983, the Jets were looking for a defensive back when they entered the 1984 draft with the tenth overall pick. In three years at SMU, Russell Carter picked off 18 passes. The team was happy to see him on the board when they went on the clock with their first round selection, and Carter was the name on the lips of commissioner Pete Rozelle.
As a rookie, Carter did not perform like a plague. Much to the contrary, he actually showed a lot of potential for a long career as a cornerback. After intercepting four passes in 1984 it seemed as if the sky was the limit. Unfortunately for Carter and for the Jets, those were the last four passes he would intercept in his NFL career. That’s right, in four years in New York Carter intercepted four passes. Talk about a hot start that ended abruptly, right?
If we want to add players that were selected soon after Carter, look no further than the very next pick. Linebacker Wilbur Marshall was selected by the Bears at number 11 and he had a long career with the Bears, Redskins and a couple of more stops before having a cup of coffee with the Jets in his final season. Maybe Ken O’Brien wouldn’t have been sacked as often if the Jets had chosen William Roberts, the guard that was a mainstay on the offensive line of Phil Simms for several years.
Another on the long list of plagues.