New York Jets 2012 Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions

For the first time in quite some time, the Jets are coming into the 2012 draft with a full slate of picks. The Tannenbaum era, which has resulted in the selection of some fantastic players, have not had quite as much success in the Rex Ryan era in terms of draft success. 

When you look at the strengths of this draft, the Jets have a better chance of solving their problems on the offensive line than finding their ball-hawking safety. Finding good value for a natural pass-rusher is going to be a challenge as well. 

Here is how I see the draft play out for the Jets come April. 

Round 1: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

I have done a few mock drafts so far, and for whatever reason, I always end up with the Jets nabbing Upshaw with their first pick. 

Upshaw is an ideal fit for a Rex Ryan defense. He is versatile, can play in space, put his hand in the dirt, and most importantly, can rush the passer. Now he's not quite as good as Melvin Ingram as a pure edge rusher, but he is still a massive upgrade over anything on the Jets roster. 

Most of the teams in front of the Jets are either 4-3 teams or can get better players at their pick, leaving a very good chance Upshaw slides to pick 16, where he would provide great value for the Jets. 

Round 2: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

This may just be wishful thinking on my part, but the Jets should run to the podium if David Wilson is still on the board in the middle of the second round. 

Wilson has all of the physical tools. He has great change of direction, agility, strength, physicality and top-end speed. The biggest knock on Wilson is that he is a bit slow to read blocks and needs work in pass protection, which is easily coachable. 

I have seen a wide range of grades on Wilson. Some scouts have him as the best back behind Trent Richardson, while others have him behind five or six other players. 

For the Jets' sake, I hope the GMs of the other 31 teams view him as the seventh best back rather than the second, so he can fall to the Jets here. 

Round 3: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Once regarded as a first-round pick, Vontaze is quickly sliding down draft boards as he become more exposed as a player that is hardly disciplined and bases his reputation more on his temper (and sweet name) than his production on the field. 

Every year, there are those players that take huge drops in the draft, and I can easily see Burfict suffering such a fate this year. 

If he does last to the third round, it would be a good price to pay for a linebacker that is a physical specimen that plays with a lot of passion and anger, which will fit the mold with Rex Ryan's defense. I can see him buying into Rex's philosophy and push his attitude problems aside to make it at the pro level. 

With Bart Scott's future in question, the Jets are going to need to find his replacement sooner than later. 

Round 4: Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

Plaxico Burress is not expected back, which leaves a big hole at the receiver position opposite of Holmes. Quick is sort of a "poor man's" Plaxico. He has a big frame and can make tough, physical catches and can be a nightmare in the red zone. 

He's not a speedster and doesn't always get a lot of separation, but he has the tools to be quite a steal. As we have seen in the past, the Jets are not afraid to spend draft picks on small-school prospects. 

Round 5: Donte-Paige Moss, DE, North Carolina

Moss is a real interesting guy to me. He suffered an ACL injury in 2011, making him questionable for the stat of the 2012 season. Based on talent and measurables alone, he would probably be a second-round pick, but he showed some issues as a junior with maintaining a high motor and producing on a consistent basis. 

However, if the Jets already picked Upshaw, they can afford to spend a late pick on a developmental, long-armed prospect who has the potential to develop into the NFL starter. 

If the Jets can make Aaron Maybin a productive player, you have to like their chances that they can turn the light on for Moss. 

Round 6: Ryan Miller, OL, Colorado

With a thin market for value at the right tackle spot, the Jets need to at least bring in another body to compete with Wayne Hunter. 

He played guard in college, but his skill set is probably more suited to play right tackle. 

Miller is more of a finesse guy who isn't going to necessarily going to overpower people at the point of attack. However, he does play with a mean streak and has good balance and coordination, which gives him a chance to be an eventual starter in the NFL. 

If nothing else, he can make Vladimir Ducasse expendable, which is on the wish list for all Jets fans. 

Round 7: Chris Rainey, RB/WR, Florida

It is no secret the Jets need an injection of speed on their team at just about every position. Why not grab the fastest player at the combine?

Rainey is a natural runner that has a chance to fill a number of roles on special teams and as a developmental receiver. His small frame is going to scare some from picking him, but if he can add some meat on his bones without losing too much of his speed, he has the chance to be a very good value pick.