2012 NFL Draft: 5 Areas of Immediate Need for the New York Jets

After a disappointing 8-8 record last season, the New York Jets need to focus this offseason on adding depth to their roster.  They are $7 million under the cap, so they won't be able to sign many players through free agency.  With 10 picks in the 2012 NFL draft, their best plan is to build through the draft.  

Last season, they missed the playoffs after reaching the AFC Championship Game the previous two seasons. Their defense and running game, which have been the strong points of the team under Rex Ryan, took a step back.  If Ryan expects his team to return to championship form, they need to draft a number of players that help with the running game and on defense.

Safety

The Achilles' heel of the Jets secondary was at the safety position.  

With the 16th pick of the draft, I expect the Jets to select safety Mark Barron. Although the Jets signed LaRon Landry this offseason, he has been plagued with injuries throughout his career and the Jets could use Barron as a security blanket for him.  

Barron possesses the size and speed to match up with both running backs and tight ends, and he should help the Jets with stopping the run as well.  He has been described as the hardest-hitting safety in the draft, so his aggressive style of play coincides with Ryan's defense. 

If Barron were not available, the Jets would look at other positions for their first pick, possibly at linebacker, defensive end or wide receiver.  Their other options at safety are Harrison Smith from Notre Dame and Brandon Taylor from LSU.  Smith is projected as a late first-round to second-round pick, while Taylor is projected as a second-round pick.  

I can't imagine the Jets would select either player with their 16th pick, but the Jets could go after them with their 47th pick.

Outside Linebacker / Defensive End

Another one of the major weaknesses in the Jets defense is their pass rush.  They ranked 17th in the NFL last season with 35 sacks. In a pass-friendly league, it has become more important to have a defense that can create pressure on the quarterback, something the Jets do not possess.

There are a number of defensive ends and outside linebackers in this year's draft that fit the Jets' 3-4 package.  The front office has had their eye on outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw because he shows a great deal of speed and flexibility for a 270-pound linebacker, and he can make an impact in the NFL right away.  

If he's available to the Jets at pick 16, he is very likely to be chosen. The only concern is his recent injury that kept him sidelined during pro day and, as a result, his draft stock slipped a bit.  However, when he's healthy, his presence is certainly felt.  If the Jets were to select Upshaw with their 16th pick, it would be a steal.

Some other possibilities at defensive end are Whitney Mercilus and Vinny Curry. However, I don't expect the Jets to use their 16th pick on either of these players.  If Upshaw were not available either, the Jets should select a wide receiver.  

Wide Receiver

Mark Sanchez needs a more reliable go-to receiver if he plans to improve on last season.  Dustin Keller has proved to be one of the better tight ends in the league, but Sanchez needs a target outside the hash marks that can be a No. 1 option with time.  Santonio Holmes has not shown the leadership necessary and the Jets have not re-signed Plaxico Burress, nor should they.  

Michael Floyd could be exactly what the Jets are looking for.

At 6'3" and 224 pounds, Floyd is the ideal size for a wide receiver.  He gets very physical with cornerbacks, and is also very quick on his feet, which allows him to break tackles and get plenty of yards after contact.  Floyd was a three-year starter at Notre Dame, and he caught 100 passes for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns his senior season.  The Jets can certainly use a sure-handed receiver like Floyd to revive their stagnant offense.

Wide receivers are deep in this year's draft, and a lot are expected to be drafted in the first round.  Should the Jets look to draft another wide receiver if Floyd is not available?  Kendall Wright and Stephen Hill may be the next best receiver prospects, but Wright may not fit in this offense. The Jets need a taller target, so Hill would be the better option.  

They can even select Alshon Jeffery in the second round or Marvin McNutt in the third round if they decide to not use their first pick on a wide receiver.

Running Back

The Jets need to reestablish their running game if they want to yield success in the 2012 season.  They ranked 22nd in the NFL last year with just more than 100 yards rushing per game.  In Rex Ryan's first two years with the team, they were first and fourth in the NFL in rushing, so you can see they took a huge step back.  

Shonn Greene should still be the main back for the Jets, but with lingering injuries to Joe McKnight and LaDainian Tomlinson's age clearly creeping up on him, the front office should look to draft another running back.  They shouldn't draft a running back in the first round, however, because they have a number of other needs that are more important to the success of their team, but they should still be able to grab a running back of value in the third or fourth round.  

Greene gives the Jets a between-the-tackles type runner, so they could look for a running back that has speed to the outsides to complement him.  LaMichael James from Oregon does just that.  At 5'8" and 194 pounds, James can be considered a bit undersized for the position, but after running a 4.3 40-yard dash at the combine, he can use his speed and elusiveness to beat defenses.  I can't envision him being an every-down back in the NFL, but he can be a very useful third-down option for the Jets, especially with his ability to catch passes.

Another quality running back that the Jets can acquire late in the draft is Robert Turbin from Utah State. He has shown some glimpses of speed in strength in the collegiate level and is a projected fourth-round pick.   

Right Tackle

The left side of the offensive line of the Jets is superb, led by three-time Pro Bowl left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

The true weakness of the offensive line is the right side.  Right tackle Wayne Hunter allowed the most sacks+knockdowns (22) of any of the NY Jets offensive linemen last season, and it was difficult for the Jets to run the football to the right side, as Hunter wasn't providing sufficient run blocking either.  

The Jets don't have to reach for an offensive lineman early in the draft, but if they are in a situation on draft day where a quality right tackle is still available, the Jets should draft one.  Besides, Hunter is 30 years old, so the Jets should be looking for a replacement for him relatively soon anyway.  

I personally like Mitchell Schwartz out of California.  He has a lot of upside and can be acquired during the middle rounds of the draft. He started all 12 games this season at right tackle and was a very productive pass-blocker.