2012 NFL Draft: 6 Players the New York Jets Should Look At

It may be January, and the offseason may not be upon us yet, but the Jets had better start thinking about what they are going to do for next season. 

The Jets finished 8-8 and sit at the 16th spot in the NFL draft. They're a team that need a lot of help.

If I were Mike Tannenbaum, I would take a serious look at the following players.  

Courtney Upshaw: LB, Alabama

Most people would agree with me on this. Courtney seems to belong in a Jets uniform.

A hard-nosed defender, he plays with a nasty streak that would make Bart Scott proud.

Upshaw is a former bowl game MVP, and an All-SEC pick as well, so he's decorated.

Upshaw has been labeled as one of the premier outside linebackers in college football, and an All-American basically cements him as a defensive star. 

In short, a guy like him would be perfect for Rex Ryan's defense. 

LaMichael James: RB, Oregon

The Jets are not a team that relies on flashbacks, running backs who are playmakers. 

Nonetheless, with the impending retirement of LaDainian Tomlinson, the possible relegation to special teamer for Joe McKnight and the failure of Shonn Greene, the Jets may have to focus their attention on grabbing a playmaker like James. 

James' flashy style earned him a Heisman nomination last year, as he was given the nod when LeGarrette Blount left.

2011 wasn't as great of a season for James, but it wasn't a total drop off, as James was named MVP of the Pac-12 championship game.

James isn't a first-round talent, as scouts have downgraded him as far as the third round.

However, the Jets should be wary, as the Buccaneers might have the same idea, especially after Blount said he wanted James as a teammate.  

Nick Toon: WR, Wisconsin or Mohamed Sanu: WR, Rutgers

Plaxico Burress is old and past his prime, Santonio Holmes is selfish and lazy, Jeremy Kerley is young and inexperience and there's nobody behind them.

Grabbing a wide receiver like Nick Toon or Mohamed Sanu might help. 

Toon emerged as Wisconsin's top receiver, breaking records once owned by his own father Al. Al Toon is a former Jet. 

Sanu is a playmaker who the Jets could invest in. His performances against Louisville during the regular season and Iowa State in the Pinstripe Bowl really gained him some spotlight. 

Both are late first to mid second-round picks and grabbing either one will be a boost for the team. 

Brandon Washington: OT, Miami

Almost everywhere I look, it seems that everyone is saying that the Jets should look into Brandon Washington. I'll bite. 

Wayne Hunter was downright terrible last year. He was constantly overmatched by defenders and forced Mark Sanchez to either throw early or go down like a frightened puppy. 

Washington seems like the kind of guy who could be worth looking at.

He looks like an intimidator, and, although he plays for Miami, who hasn't been good as of late, he could prove to be a legitimate blocker. 

Randy Bullock: K, Texas A&M

Let's face it, Nick Folk is bad. He can't make field goals that are 45-plus yards or require directional kicking.

A guy like Randy Bullock would be perfect for the Jets. This year, he made 77 out of 83 kicks, was named an All-American and was rated the top kicker in the draft class.

Jet fans shouldn't be drinking Pepto-Bismol every time their kicker comes up. That's why Bullock would work for this team.

One knock, his longest field goal was from 50 yards out.