New York Jets: Building a 2012 NFL Draft Big Board

When it comes to building a big board for the 2012 NFL draft, teams will often take their biggest needs into account. This isn't more true for any team than the New York Jets, who love to fill their needs through the draft.

That strategy has worked for them at times, and it has let them down at others, but it's a good place to start when building a big board for the Jets.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at some of the draft's top prospects and where they might rank on a Jets big board.

1. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

There's virtually no chance Claiborne falls to the Jets at No. 16, and they already have a cornerback in need of a payday in Darrelle Revis, and having just spent a first-round pick on a cornerback in 2010, the Jets may be reticent to go high for another one. Claiborne is a shutdown corner, though, and you can never have too many.

In the end, it's all about adding depth in the secondary. Perhaps adding another corner allows someone else to move to safety.

2. Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Jets need depth at a lot of positions, but one place they could use top-end talent is the offensive line. Nick Mangold, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brandon Moore are all talented, but the struggles of Matt Slauson, Vlad Ducasse and Wayne Hunter were a big part of the Jets' offensive issues in 2011.

Kalil is the draft's top tackle prospect and will be a top-five pick, but that doesn't exempt him from the Jets' board. They have a relatively large need at tackle, and Kalil has the ability to play multiple spots on the offensive line if need be. 

3. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Like Kalil, Reiff will likely be gone by the time the Jets get to pick, but if he's available, he'd be an immediate upgrade over Hunter at the right tackle spot. There are questions about whether he can play on the left, but Ferguson has that spot locked down.

4. Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Jeff Capellini of CBS New York writes that the Jets would be foolish not to take Ingram with the 16th pick, but that's assuming he even falls that far. He's being projected in the top 15, but the Jets have never been opposed to trading up for their guy. The Jets sorely need a pass-rusher after logging only 35 sacks in 2011.

Ingram is versatile enough to play outside linebacker, inside linebacker or as a "rush" defensive end. He's a little small for what the Jets might like to see in an outside linebacker, but he's got the explosiveness to compensate—or so hopes whichever team ends up drafting him.

5. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jets ranked out as my third-best wide receiving corps in the AFC East, largely because of their lack of a true No. 1 target in the passing game. Floyd would be an instantaneous salve for those problems, as he would give the Jets a reliable option outside the numbers that can consistently win his matchup.

Floyd ran faster at the combine than his tape would indicate, but his playmaking ability speaks for itself with his 36 touchdowns in his collegiate career.

6. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The only top running back prospects recently are coming from Alabama, and Richardson may be the most explosive one yet. Shonn Greene is a solid back, but Richardson has the big-play potential the Jets currently lack in the backfield.

If the Jets want to return to the ground and pound, this is a good place to start. 

7. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The pass-rushers run rampant on the Jets big board. It's not just because of their inability to get after the quarterback consistently last year, but also because of their age at the position. Calvin Pace is 31, and Bryan Thomas is 34 and coming off an injury-shortened season.

Upshaw already has experience in the 3-4 defense, having played multiple positions in that front for Nick Saban at Alabama. Plus, the Jets have already shown interest in the 'Bama 'backer. For his versatility and pass-rush potency, it seems like Upshaw would be a perfect fit for the Jets.

8. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Between Blackmon and Floyd, the top two wide receivers are more like No. 1 and 1a. The only problem is neither is spectacular enough to separate himself from each other, and defensive backs alike.

In terms of his skill set, he was compared to wide receiver Terrell Owens by B/R NFL Draft lead writer Matt Miller. Hopefully he's not that much of a diva, or things could be very sour for him with the New York Jets.

9. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

As mentioned earlier, the Jets aren't in dire need of another cornerback, but Gilmore might be able to make the transition to safety. He's a physical defensive back who doesn't mind getting down and dirty in run defense, and he has the ball skills to make him a great addition on the back end.

The one thing he lacks is speed, and being that the Jets run primarily a Cover 1 scheme on the back end, they have the option of plugging him back there and letting him put his instincts and run-defending skills to work.

10. Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Jets lack talent at safety, and are littered with a group of guys that can't stay on the field. Adding LaRon Landry certainly will help in terms of depth, but that's only if he can stay healthy.

Barron isn't exactly the type of safety the Jets are looking for, as they need more of a rangy safety with speed who can handle the Cover 1 duties typically assigned to a free safety. Adding Barron, however, would give the Jets some flexibility at safety in terms of whom they could put in the box, and he's not completely incapable in coverage, either.

11. Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

Glenn is massive and quick for his size. He may be more of a right tackle or interior offensive lineman in the NFL, but his talent would make him an instant upgrade whether he's at guard or right tackle.

12. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Although not viewed as a perfect prospect at outside linebacker, Mercilus is merciless in his pursuit of the quarterback. The Jets need someone who can consistently get there, but his fundamentals are far from sound.

He has a bit of work to do before he's ready to contribute on a full-time basis to an NFL defense, specifically against the run where he often completely ignores gap integrity in favor of pass rush.

13. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If the Jets want to get back to ground and pound, one quick way to do that is to add another mauler in the middle of the offensive line. DeCastro is a sound pass-protector, making way for another solid year for quarterback Andrew Luck, but his real strength is as a run-blocker. Running backs are sure to find daylight behind DeCastro as a lead blocker.

14. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

There's a reason Andrew Luck was one of the least-sacked quarterbacks in college last year. You can thank his pocket presence all you want, but the pass-protectors had a big role in that, as well.

Martin is more of a finesse blocker than the Jets might like, but he would definitely be an upgrade over Hunter in pass protection, which was a huge problem at right tackle last year. He doesn't have the ideal bulk or strength that most teams would like to see, but he has high football IQ and won't get caught out of position very often.

15. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

A physical freak like almost none other in this year's draft, Poe's tape doesn't measure up to the measurables that were on display at the combine. The Jets have been bitten by that bug in the past (see: Gholston, Vernon), and although Poe figures to be overdrafted by someone, the Jets should consider him if they feel he can be a suitable rotational defensive tackle alongside Sione Pouha.

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