2012 NFL Mock Draft: 4 Options for the Jets in the First Round

After watching their hometown and divisional rivals face off in the Super Bowl, this is a big offseason coming up for the Jets. 

As we saw toward the end of the season, the Jets have enough holes to go in a lot of different directions in this draft. They clearly need an upgrade at offensive tackle. There are question marks at the receiver position, and the defense could use new blood in the front seven and at safety. 

Taking a look at the early projections of this draft, the Jets can fill any one of their biggest holes with their 16th overall selection. Here are four guys the Jets will have their eye on for April's draft. 

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is one of the most complete 3-4 linebacker prospects in the draft. He can rush the passer and play the run well. He has the strength to shed blocks and make plays. His most impressive attribute may be his recognition skills and his ability to immediately dissect plays.

The real knock on Upshaw is he is a bit short and doesn't have great length, which can be tough to adapt to at the next level.  

Upshaw isn't quite the terror as a pass-rusher as say, a Quinton Coples or Melvin Ingram, but he is perhaps the most well-rounded defender in this year's class, which fits the bill perfectly as a linebacker in Rex Ryan's system that calls for versatile linebackers than can play the run, rush the passer and cover. 

The Jets may have to trade up for him, but given their deficiency and age at outside linebacker, it could very well be worth it. 

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Mike Adams was one of, if not the best player at the Senior Bowl. He stonewalled Courtney Upshaw in the Senior Bowl game and was excellent in practice all week long. 

Adams is a fundamentally sound tackle that could start immediately in the league, especially for the Jets, who paid dearly for the poor play of Wayne Hunter.

Right tackle is become a more and more difficult position to fill in the NFL, and the Jets will need to invest a lot in the position this season, whether it be a big-money free agent or a high draft pick. Getting Sanchez a quality offensive line will go a long way to making him more comfortable and back on track in his development.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Jets find themselves with a gaping hole at wide receiver, and the spot for being the second pass catcher taken after Justin Blackmon is up for grabs. Alshon Jeffery may be the most talented of that group, but with his character and work ethic questions, the last thing the Jets need is another headcase to cause more distractions. 

Wright is certainly extremely talented in his own right, with enough speed to break open a game at any time. He is a bit raw as a route runner, but with some time, he can develop into something special. 

In fact, given enough time, you could argue that he could develop into a better player than Justin Blackmon. 

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I would be pretty shocked to see Richardson still on the board at 16, but you never know what could happen on draft day. 

If he's there, the Jets cannot pass on him, no matter how committed they are to Shonn Greene. He can come into the NFL and quickly be one of the best players at the position. He reminds me a lot of Maurice Jones-Drew, but with second-gear speed to be a true foundation back. 

Shonn Greene is a very effective runner, but only when he gets some blocking in front of him. When things break down up front, he can't turn "nothing" plays into something. Richardson would be able to do that. 

The Jets want to get back to their "ground-and-pound" roots, and nabbing Richardson would go a long way to getting back to that identity. With Tomlinson on his way out and Joe McKnight regulated to mostly special team duties, the Jets probably have a need at running back already.