New York Jets Mock Draft: Best and Worst-Case Scenarios for Every Pick

With 10 selections to their name in the 2012 NFL draft, the possibilities for the New York Jets are almost endless.

But the misses gets a little snippy when I get wrapped up in that whole "endless" thing, so I kept it down to just best- and worst-case scenarios for every pick.

The Jets needs are pretty apparent at this point, with safety, outside and inside linebacker, wide receiver and offensive tackle the most glaring.

With that in mind, here are some scenarios that could play out at every pick.

First Round, Pick 16

Best-Case Scenario: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Jets have already expressed some interest in Upshaw, and for good reason. He contributed to a National Championship defense as a key cog in the front seven, having lined up at several spots in the course of his collegiate career. 

Both outside and inside, the Jets could use depth at linebacker. Where Upshaw lands should be determined by where he performs best at the NFL level, but regardless, he has the talent and potential to warrant the No. 16 pick.

Worst-Case Scenario: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron isn't exactly the kind of safety the Jets might be looking for in the draft, but they need depth regardless. Can they count on the newly-acquired LaRon Landry to stay healthy for 16 games? Chances are slim, and he's on a one-year deal anyway, so finding an eventual replacement would be a solid move.

Barron has been projected here for the Jets, although B/R's NFL draft scout, Matt Miller, suggested that it might be a slight reach to take him at No. 16. The Jets could use the skill set that Barron brings to the back end of their defense regardless.

Second Round, Pick 47

Best-Case Scenario: Mike Adams, OT Ohio State

Adams has been projected as a first-round pick, but there are always a couple of prospects who surprisingly drop on draft day, and Adams has the potential to be one of those prospects in 2012. He was suspended for seven games at Ohio State; two for violating team rules in 2009 and five for his involvement in the tattoo scandal.

That being said, he is a first-round talent with the potential to be a starting tackle. His talents as a pass-blocker and grittiness in the running game make him an ideal replacement for Wayne Hunter, who does neither well.

Worst-Case Scenario: LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

Running back isn't one of the Jets' biggest needs, but adding a playmaker like James would be a great move. How much can the Jets count on from Shonn Greene? They gave him the ball as the No. 1 back last year, and despite shaky play on the offensive line, he crossed the 1,000-yard plateau. His yards-per-carry average of just 4.2, however, paints the picture of him as a solid but unspectacular back.

James would be a perfect complement to Greene, offering the Jets explosive plays out of the backfield and when he gets into space. He's not going to be a bell cow, but the Jets could find ways to get him the ball and maximize his potential. With the return to the ground-and-pound, though, the Jets may avoid a finesse player like James.

Third Round, Pick 77

Best-Case Scenario: Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State

Martin has been listed as a strong safety, but his skill set makes him capable of playing the single high safety role in the Jets defense. He has good ball skills and great open-field speed to make breaks on the ball and get to a play on the sideline.

With their dire need for depth, the Jets should consider taking more than one safety in this draft. Martin's a good one to start with. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois

There has to be someone out there who can better man the right tackle spot than Wayne Hunter. Allen may be that guy, but even if not, he makes for solid depth, having played on both sides of the offensive line in his collegiate career (47 starts).

Allen isn't really impressive athletically or in terms of his build, but he's a gamer.

Fifth Round, Pick 154

Best-Case Scenario: Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

This year's wide receiver class is considered one of the deepest of any position. There will be opportunities for late-round gems to reveal themselves. Criner could be one of those guys and has the frame the Jets are looking for on the outside at 6'3" and 224 pounds.

He's a little raw and won't run the whole route tree just yet, but he has great physical tools and the Jets could certainly find ways to play to his and Mark Sanchez's strengths. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Ryan Miller, G, Colorado

Miller is massive. His 6'7", 321-pound frame shares similarities with Nate Solder in that he is a long guy with the frame to add more to his already muscular mass. 

His height could be an issue, as he'll have a harder time getting low on defenders and blowing them backward as a run blocker. He has the size, strength and agility to make him a fit at tackle, where the Jets could use some depth, but his future at guard remains a question mark.

Sixth Round, Pick 187

Best-Case Scenario: Chris Rainey, RB, Florida

An explosive running back would be a great addition for the Jets. Rainey has the ability to take catches out of the backfield for big gains when he gets into open space, having racked up 69 receptions for 795 yards and six touchdowns from 2008 to 2011.

Even as the Jets look to get back to the ground-and-pound style of old, they will need to find ways to get more explosive plays out of the running back position.

Worst-Case Scenario: Kelcie McCray, S, Arkansas State

McCray has the size, speed and ball skills to help him be a great coverage safety, and he's also a sound tackler, but he'll have to bulk up and clean up some of his fundamentals if he wants to see the field on a consistent basis. 

McCray is just the right kind of depth for the Jets as a guy who can contribute big in pass defense.

Sixth Round, Pick 202

Best-Case Scenario: Akiem Hicks, DT, Regina

Hicks' size and athletic ability make him a potential fit as a 4-3 tackle or 3-4 end. What he must do, however, is refine his fundamentals and round out his game, where he presently relies too heavily on his ability to "out-athlete" his opponents.

Worst-Case Scenario: Joe Looney, G, Wake Forest

Looney is a dreaded "waist bender," a technique that often lends itself to getting bowled over in the NFL by defensive tackles who prey on fundamental mistakes. He has the size and strength to help him hang around a roster, but he'll need to refine some mechanics before he hits the field.

Sixth Round, Pick 203

Best-Case Scenario: Robert Blanton, CB, Notre Dame

Blanton has the versatility to contribute as both a cornerback and a safety, having played the former in high school and the latter in college, according to FFToolBox.com. The Jets need depth across the board, and what better way to address it than to grab a versatile defensive back?

At 6'1" and 208 pounds, Blanton is a big-bodied defender who excels in zone coverage, making him less of a fit at cornerback than at safety for the Jets. 

Worst-Case Scenario: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

If Burfict has fallen this far, it's safe to say he's been served an ample helping of humble pie. The Jets are known to take a chance on a guy with some character flaws, and Burfict's are big enough to scare most teams off. 

In the sixth round, this is a low-risk, high-reward pick. If he doesn't pan out, the Jets can cut ties and not worry about the value they will have lost. 

Seventh Round, Pick 232

Best-Case Scenario: Brandon Lindsey, OLB, Pittsburgh

Lindsey is a projected 3-4 outside linebacker, having played 4-3 defensive end at Pittsburgh. He can contribute as a situational pass-rusher to start while learning the ins and outs of outside linebacker in the NFL. His 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons will be a welcome addition to the Jets front seven.

Worst-Case Scenario: Jeff Demps, RB, Florida

Demps was never a bell cow for the Gators, never once breaking into triple-digit carries, but his explosiveness and big-play potential can't be denied. He totaled 24 touchdowns in his four-year career, averaging just barely under seven yards every time he touched the ball. The Gators clearly knew how to utilize him to his strengths, but the Jets could use a player with the big-play potential of Demps in their backfield.

Seventh Round, Pick 242

Best-Case Scenario: Adrian Hamilton, DE/OLB, Prairie View A&M

Hamilton led the nation in sacks last year with 20.5 and is projected to go in the sixth or seventh round. He needs to get stronger and improve his technique and could also use to become a bit more well-rounded if the Jets want to be able to use him in multiple packages. For now, he'd be a good camp body and possible rotational pass-rusher down the road.

Worst-Case Scenario: Randy Bullock, K, Texas A&M

Nick Folk hasn't inspired a ton of confidence, and Bullock is considered one of the top prospects in the draft at kicker. He made 87.9 percent of his field goals in 2011 for the fifth-best average in the nation. If all else fails, getting someone to push Folk to be the best he possibly can would be a solid investment.

Seventh Round, Pick 244

Best-Case Scenario: T.J. Graham, WR, North Carolina State

At 5'11" and 188 pounds, Graham isn't exactly what the Jets might be looking for at wide receiver in terms of a guy who can draw double teams, but he has the big-play potential to force a defense to respect it. That will open things up for the rest of the offense. Graham must learn how to get off jams, and his average lateral quickness may limit him in the NFL.

Worst-Case Scenario: Adrien Robinson, TE, Cincinnati

Robinson only caught 29 career passes for five touchdowns in four years with Cincinnati, but his 6'4", 264-pound frame will help him wall off defenders, either as an extra chip-man against the pass-rushers or to help seal the edge for the running game.

Pick info provided by NFL.com.

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