2012 NFL Draft: Top 7 First Round Prospects for the New York Jets

The downfall of the New York Jets in 2012 was swift and ugly.

Even after a three-game losing streak to end the season, the problems continued as stories of epic locker room dissent dotted the headlines in the New York tabloids. Meanwhile, the Giants embarked on another Super Bowl run.

With their top three offensive assistants already jettisoned, including favorite whipping boy Brian Schottenheimer, the franchise is at a crossroads and will surely have an entirely different look in 2012.

Sitting at pick No.16 in the 2012 NFL Draft, which will be held from April 26-28, the Jets are looking to upgrade and become younger at just about every position on the field.

In a draft that seems to be strong at linebacker, and with the possibility of some key offensive skill players falling, Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan should have a good choice of interesting players as they look for the next impact Jet in the middle of Round 1.

7. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Jets brass loves to make the big splash, and if the top RB in the draft falls to the Jets, Trent Richardson might be too good to pass up. Richardson's mock draft positons have been all over the boards, with some projecting him as a top 10 choice while others have him dropping as low as No. 20.

Incumbent RB Shonn Greene hasn't done much to show that he could be the "bell cow" that Rex Ryan proclaimed him, so there is a need at the position.  With the all but certain departure of LaDainian Tomlinson, the Jets are looking at a combo of Greene and Joe McKnight as they head into the offseason.

Richardson has shown the ability to get the edge and be the power running back that new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano is looking for. With Sparano's affinity for the run, he will probably be pushing for the 2011 Doak Walker Award winner from Alabama in the war room.

Richardson is no lock to fall to the Jets at 16, which is why he is on this list as No. 7. However, if he is there, there's a great chance that the headline-loving organization will go for the big name and nab the third-place finisher in the 2011 Heisman voting.

And you know fellow Alabama alum Joe Namath will support this pick 100 percent.

6. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The core of the Jets internal meltdown seems to come directly from the relationship between Mark Sanchez and his wide receivers. While Santonio Holmes has been painted as the villain, the truth is Sanchez lacked a rapport with his receivers all season long.

Enter Michael Floyd.

Considered by some as the No. 2 WR in the draft behind man-child Justin Blackmon, Floyd's production during his last two seasons at Notre Dame was terrific. Floyd surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in both his junior and senior seasons and combined for 20 touchdowns over that time.

While not a burner, Floyd does have 4.4 speed and provides a nice 6'3" target for Sanchez to utilize in the red zone. With the return of Plaxico Burress unlikely and Patrick Turner still developing, Sanchez could use some size on the outside for sure.

A major red flag, however, is Floyd's problems off the field. Floyd has been cited on three separate occasions for alcohol-related offenses during his time at ND, the third a drunk driving citation in March of 2011 which led to an indefinite suspension and loss of his captaincy.

The catch is that his off-field issues are what could drop him to the Jets at 16.

With Washington and Tampa Bay expected to target offensive skill players at the top of the draft, either team could nab Floyd (or Richardson for that matter). While the Jets need to upgrade their receiving corps considerably, bringing in another player with character issues might be hard to sell to the fan base.

5. Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

It has been no secret that even on his best defenses with the Jets, Rex Ryan has lacked a significant pass rusher who can get to the QB on his own. The best way to remedy that issue through the draft would be to land Whitney Mercilus from Illinois.

Mercilus is an outright beast who led the nation in sacks with 16 and forced fumbles with nine, which was the second highest single season total in NCAA history. Drawing comparisons to the Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul, Mercilus is relentless on the field and can be the type of player that will force offenses to game plan around.

What makes Mercilus even more attractive to the Jets is his ability to rush from both the defensive end and linebacker positions. He is truly the kind of chip Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and Ryan love to play with.

With those accolades, it's a wonder that Mercilus isn't slated as a top 10 pick. One thing holding Mercilus back is that he was a one-year wonder at Illinois, as he recorded just two sacks in 2010.

The number of skill position players and offensive lineman likely to be targeted early should also cause Mercilus to fall, which could be good news for the Jets.

Jets fans should hope he doesn't impress too much at the combines, because he is a good candidate to fly up the draft boards. He is just the type of player they need.

4. David DeCastro, G, Stanford

To put it bluntly, the Jets offensive line was an outright disaster in 2011. Mark Sanchez was sacked by DeMarcus Ware on the first offensive play of the season and things didn't improve one bit from there.

An early-season encounter with the Ravens left Sanchez shell-shocked, as he only looked comfortable in the pocket against the worst teams on the schedule. If the Jets are picking from pure need, David DeCastro stands a good chance of wearing the green and white starting next season.

DeCastro is a safe pick who is generally slotted right around where the Jets select. At Stanford, the 6'5" 310 lbs DeCastro was charged with protecting Andrew Luck and plowing open lanes for an underrated running attack, and he did both as well as any lineman in the country.

The unanimous All-American seems to possess all of the tools needed to anchor any NFL offensive line, including quick feet while pulling and great technique while pass blocking.

DeCastro's consistency could be just what Sanchez needs, and if he does land in New York he could benefit from playing along side Nick Mangold and Brandon Moore.  If D'Brickshaw Ferguson has a bounce back year, the Jets offensive line can get back to being the strength of the team.

With the Cardinals, Cowboys and Chiefs all expected to possibly target offensive lineman, there is a chance DeCastro doesn't survive until pick 16. But if he does, expect the Jets to really explore their options with this high character, incredibly versatile guard.

3. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

One surprise during Rex Ryan's tenure as a Jet is that he has yet to find that defensive player who is menacing enough to strike fear into opposing ball carriers. Sure, David Harris is a highly underrated run-stopper and Bart Scott plays with a chip on his shoulder at times, but aside from Darrelle Revis, the Jets defense lacks an identity.

An interesting path the Jets could take to solve that problem in the draft would be to grab ferocious Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

Burfict is an intriguing case because he is by no means a safe pick. A tremendous athlete at 6'3", 250 lbs, Burfict is a personal foul waiting to happen. His aggression actually got so bad, that he was benched at one point by head coach Dennis Erickson.

However, he could give the Jets the mean streak they desperately need. What also makes Burfict an intriguing option is that he would probably be a reach at No. 16.

If a player like Floyd or Richardson falls, the Jets could work a trade with a team desperate for a skill player, land an extra pick or two and still grab Burfict closer to where he's projected.

In any other year, Burfict might be a perfect fit for the Jets. However, a first round miss in this draft could end up costing Mike Tannenbaum his job.

Either way, Burfict is undeniably a Rex Ryan type of player who has excelled at a position of need. If he lands on the Jets, you can bet the choice was more of a Ryan selection than a Tannenbaum one.

2. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

While Vontaze Burfict might be one of the riskier picks the Jets could target on draft day, Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw could be one of the safer picks.

Upshaw has a motor that will stand out on the Jets defense and if Aaron Maybin continues to develop, an Upshaw-Maybin combo would be a nightmare for opponents in the Jets' blitz schemes.

In addition, Upshaw has proven to be a sure tackler and a stalwart run stopper. One knock on Upshaw is his size. At 6'2" 270 lbs, Upshaw might lack the height teams look for in pass rushers. And at 270 lbs questions have been raised about his ability to keep up with backs and tight ends in coverage.

Upshaw is one of those players whose play on the field will do more for his draft status than any physical measurements you can take. He has been the leader on one of the best defenses in the country the past two seasons and his versatility is something Ryan craves.

A team captain at Alabama, Upshaw is the type of character player the Jets should be building their future around and one who should thrive under Ryan and Pettine.

1. Mark Barron (Safety: Alabama)

If there is one sure-fire safe pick in the 2012 NFL Draft for the New York Jets, that player is Alabama safety Mark Barron. Even before dissecting his abilities, Barron would quickly make Jets fans forget about Eric Smith; and the sooner that happens, the better.

Barron has been a mainstay on the most dominant defense in college football this decade, having been a starter for Nick Saban since he was a freshman. He has won numerous awards at Alabama during his career for his play as well as his leadership.

At 6'2" 210 lbs, Barron is also probably the best weapon in the draft to help combat the deadly Patriots tight end duo of Gronkowski and Hernandez. He would also mark a huge physical upgrade over incumbent safties Eric Smith and Jim Leonard. In fact, the minute Barron steps on the field, he would become the best Jets safety since Victor Green.

But where Barron really shines is inside the box as a run stuffer. Barron finishes his hits and is a sure run stuffer; a prototypical Rex Ryan player. If Barron does have a weakness, he struggles in coverage against quicker slot receivers, but that's to be expected of a physical player his size.

One wrinkle in the Barron situation is that the Cowboys, picking two spots ahead of the Jets, could use Barron as well. If Dallas passed on him though, the Jets might be able to trade down a few slots and still get him. One way or the other though, Mark Barron in a Jets uniform in 2012 would be a best case scenario for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Aside from tight end, quarterback, defensive back and center, the Jets could make a case for drafting a player at any other position to fill a need.

As the Jets approach this draft, one thing is quite clear: they cannot miss with their 1st round pick. In 2011, the Jets drafted Muhammed Wilkerson, who had a solid, yet unspectacular rookie season.

However, "solid" is not what the Jets need at this point. Jason Pierre-Paul, Brian Cushing, Ryan Kerrigan and Nate Solder were chosen in the middle of recent NFL Drafts in slots similar to where the Jets pick.

They need a player to make an impact the way those players have. With names like Vladimir Ducasse and Vernon Gholston still fresh in everone's minds, you would figure the Jets would take the safe route with Barron or Upshaw. However, the Jets have shown a penchant for draft day trades. And if anything is certain, the Jets front office is rarely conservative and safe.

Follow RC Cos on Twitter @RcCos14