2012 NFL Mock Draft: What Should the New York Jets Do in Round 1?

Following a disappointing 2011 in which they failed to make the playoffs, the New York Jets must find quality starters in the 2012 NFL draft to return to AFC contender status next season. 

Quarterback Mark Sanchez and wideout Santonio Holmes struggled to stay on the same page on the field and in the locker room, and Rex Ryan's defense ranked 20th in points allowed per game despite another relatively strong season yardage-wise.

For the most part, the offensive deficiencies hindered the team's success last season, and probably because of that, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer announced he would not return to the team in 2012. 

Whether you like his potential or not, Sanchez is going to be the quarterback, at least at the start of the season. 

The running back position could use an upgrade, although Shonn Greene did eclipse the 1,000-yard mark and averaged more than four yards per carry this season. 

If Trent Richardson falls to the Jets, do they grab him, or do they look to acquire a top defensive end/outside linebacker to bolster a unit that mustered only 35 sacks in 2011? 

I believe Ryan would be awfully tempted to add Richardson or another runner, like Miami's Lamar Miller or Washington's Chris Polk, because he does love running the football and knows the power-running game would alleviate pressure from Sanchez. 

However, with his defensive roots, you know he'd love to get a premier complementary piece to Calvin Pace on the edge. 

In my mock draft, I have them selecting the ultra-athletic defensive end/outside linebacker Nick Perry from Southern California. 

Is an offensive lineman a possibility? Maybe Georgia's Cordy Glenn to play right tackle?

Jets fans, which way to do you want your team to go in Round 1? 

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Last Pre-Combine Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

11. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State 

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

32. New York Giants, Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

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