B/R Debate: What Should the New York Jets Do with No. 16 Pick in 2012 NFL Draft?

With the 2012 NFL draft right around the corner, the buzz has reached a dull roar, and the crescendo will only continue headed all the way up to the first pick announced at Radio City Music Hall on April 26.

The New York Jets have as many needs as any other team, and although they have some top-end needs, they need to add depth across the board more than anything.

But with that said, there are plenty of opportunities and possibilities with the No. 16 pick. What should the Jets ultimately do with it?

To debate the topic, we bring in Steve Palazzolo of Draft Hub, who can also be found on Twitter.

Since he's the guest, I'll let him lead us off.

Steve: You're right, Erik; the Jets need talent across the entire roster and I feel it would be in their best interest to trade down. Now, it's always easy to say that, but there has to be a team willing to move up to that No. 16 spot. With a draft that appears to be top heavy, it might be difficult to move the pick.

If the Jets are forced to pick at No. 16, I think it's time to build around your "franchise" quarterback and "franchise" Wildcatter.

Mark Sanchez appeared to regress in his third season, but how much of that should be attributed to offensive line play? Losing right tackle Damien Woody to retirement hurt badly, especially with replacement Wayne Hunter doing his best impression of a turnstile for most of the season.

Start re-building the Jets franchise in the trenches with some offensive line help. I think Jonathan Martin or Cordy Glenn is a nice fit here.

Erik: Adding an offensive linemen would be smart, because the Jets can get someone who will instantly upgrade their offense (a top-end O-linemen would surely be an upgrade over Wayne "Turnstile" Hunter).

While Hunter certainly didn't help, some of the problems for the Jets offense came from Mark Sanchez holding onto the ball too long. Continued growth from him, and possibly another weapon or two in the passing game, should really help his growth—if growth is in his future.

I would argue, though, that the Jets could use an outside linebacker just as badly, or maybe even worse than an offensive tackle.

The Jets had one of the best pass defenses despite not having a top-notch pass rush, logging just 35 sacks in 2011. How much better would they be if they had a pass-rusher? Perhaps best defense in the NFL wouldn't be too hard to imagine.

Especially if they had a linebacker as versatile as Upshaw.

He may not be an elite pass-rusher, but he's capable of playing outside and inside linebacker in the 3-4, as well as putting his hand in the dirt in a four-man front if need be. In a similar mold to Calvin Pace, Upshaw can provide an edge-setting presence and a jack of all trades.

Steve: I do think Upshaw is a nice fit for the Jets, especially since they have to get younger at OLB. I like the Calvin Pace comparison, and that's certainly a career path I can see Upshaw taking. It's tough to argue with taking a solid all-around player with pass-rushing potential at No. 16, but let me look at this another way.

When I look at the Jets roster, I see only a handful of top-notch players in their prime and they all reside on defense: Darrelle Revis, David Harris, Sione Pouha and a second-year Muhammed Wilkerson.

If the Jets franchise is going to have success, it has to start with Sanchez. I already mentioned the offensive line issues and if they decide to pick up a right tackle later in the draft, I think they should take a look at the first-round wide receivers.

Will Michael Floyd be around at No. 16? Maybe, and if he is, he'd be a great pick here.

The Jets still have Santonio Holmes on the outside as well as a developing Jeremy Kerley, but for Sanchez to finally break out, Floyd is the type of big-play receiver he needs.

Another option could be Kendall Wright from Baylor.

He can work outside or in the slot and he can be a huge weapon at every level of the defense. The Jets have tried to surround Sanchez with talent, and they must continue the process because the Sanchize is running out of time.

Erik: The wide receiver position is plenty deep in this draft, and while Kendall Wright would be a solid addition (though not a likely one), the Jets will have opportunities to grab a talented player capable of doing what they want him to do in a later round. Marvin Jones, Juron Criner and Marvin McNutt are all good examples of unpolished guys that could at least give the Jets a vertical presence.

I think the Jets really need to focus on the defense with the first pick; there's too much age at certain spots and not enough talent at others. Upshaw and Ingram are both just the right kind of versatile to warrant the No. 16 selection.

If neither of them are available, the Jets could go with safety Mark Barron. He's not exactly the coverage safety they're looking for, but he was a playmaker for one of the nation's best defenses. Eric Smith can't possibly be better than Barron. Can he?

Steve: Agreed on the depth of the wide receiver class, so I'm sure the Jets will have a chance to add some talent somewhere along the way. If they wind up with Upshaw or Barron, I can't really complain, as they'd be adding some good talent to positions that need it.

And, yes, I have to imagine Barron will be better than Eric Smith.

I'll go back to my initial sentiment that they should try to trade down and accumulate as many picks as possible.

They've brought in only 13 players in the last three drafts, and the lack of depth is glaring. This might be the three most important days in Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan's tenure, as their philosophy of winning with veterans has fallen short. They need an influx of talent and lucky for them, the 2012 draft looks to be very deep. We'll see if they can make do with their 10 selections this weekend.

Erik: It looks like we've reached a common ground, and with that, our debate has drawn to a close.

Thanks again for joining me, Steve, and I'll welcome you back on anytime you want to debate me in an AFC East topic.

For the readers, be sure to check at the AFC East blog every day for a new debate over AFC East-related topics.

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