2012 NFL Draft: 5 Players the New York Jets Should Target

What is the New York Jets' biggest area of need? Pass rush. Pass rush. Pass rush.

The New York Jets need a pass-rusher, or Rex Ryan's aggressive defense is not going to work—hence their 8-8 record in 2011.

However, lacking a pass-rusher certainly wasn't the sole reason why New York didn't make the playoffs this past season, for they have multiple areas of need: pass rush, running back, safety and offensive line. 

Taking that into consideration, here are five players the Jets should target with the 16th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Let's be realistic here: Brodney Pool should not be starting at strong safety for the New York Jets. 

They desperately need an upgrade. 

With that being said, Alabama's Mark Barron is a first-round-worthy selection who is by far the best available safety in the 2012 draft class. 

Barron is an NFL-ready safety who should be a first-year impact player, as he spent his college days in Nick Saban's complex, NFL-style defensive system.

Barron is extremely physical and is never afraid to lay down the law and can read offenses pretty well. However, he is sometimes stiff in coverage and does not have elite speed to recover fast enough. 

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

If there is any possibility that Courtney Upshaw is sitting there at No. 16, then Mike Tannenbaum will have to draft him. He will have no choice.

Call me crazy, but I do believe that Upshaw could fall to 16th overall and he would be a perfect fit in Rex Ryan's blitz-happy defense.

Upshaw is best fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker and would start immediately for the Jets. 

The only real negative in Upshaw's game is that he doesn't have elite size, as he stands in at 6'1", but his freakish athleticism certainly makes up for it. 

Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina

South Carolina's Melvin Ingram would be a wise selection for the New York Jets at this point.

Ingram is a stellar pass-rusher and would immediately jump in as one of the team's starting outside linebackers.

Ingram has elite speed that can beat just about any offensive tackle, but will struggle if they engage with him because he has yet to develop elite strength. 

It would be hard to pass on a guy like Ingram, as he's such a freak of nature when it comes to his athletic ability for a guy his size and his position. 

Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC

Nick Perry out of USC is incredibly athletic and is versatile enough to play either outside or linebacker at the NFL level—and would likely play outside linebacker with the New York Jets.

Perry was a sack machine during his days with USC, as he's a naturally gifted athlete who flourishes when he uses his speed rush. 

While at USC, there were times when Perry was asked to drop back into coverage, which he didn't really struggle at due to his elite speed—which makes him a good candidate for outside linebacker in the 3-4. 

The biggest knock on Perry's game is that he's such a pure pass-rusher that he sometimes get caught up in the mix and forgets about the run game—which certainly can be fixed. 

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

If he's available at No. 16, then the New York Jets will have to draft him.

Alabama's Trent Richardson is one of the best running back prospects we have seen in years, as he's such a dynamic player who's incredible balanced between being a physical, north-and-south runner and still being able to be elusive. 

When you analyze Richardson's game, there are no true weaknesses—he's near perfect.

Richardson would ultimately replace LaDainian Tomlinson and would split carries with Shonn Greene, creating one of the most deadly running back tandems the NFL has to offer—newly-hired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano would love that.