NFL Draft Picks Who Would Be Instant Starters for the New York Jets

The New York Jets hold the ninth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, and the future of the organization could be greatly affected by which prospect they decide to select in the first round. 

While the quarterback class in this year's draft lacks talent, there are plenty of other prospects who boast lofty ceilings. 

New York could go plenty of different directions with their early picks, as it possess a variety of need positions throughout the roster. 

Each early pick would likely earn a starting gig in their rookie season, due to the fact that many of New York's starters are about to become free agents, or will likely be cap casualties. 

Here are several players who would start from day one if selected by Gang Green this April. 

Barkevious Mingo

Many experts throughout the web have Barkevious Mingo going to the Jets in the first round, and rightly so. 

Mingo is a superb talent at one the Jets' biggest need positions, outside linebacker. 

Neither Calvin Pace nor Bryan Thomas will be back with the team next season, leaving New York with no starting-caliber outside linebackers on its current roster. 

Mingo's stats this season don't jump off the page, as he only recorded 38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. However, the LSU star possesses arguably the best physical traits in this year's draft. 

The Louisiana native is long-armed and explosive off the edge, and he has decent size for a 4-3 outside linebacker (6-4, 240 pounds).

The junior's speed is also unparalleled for a man of his size (4.57 40 time).

Mingo isn't the most experienced player, but he will be a day one starter for New York in such a position of need.

Chance Warmack

Chance Warmack is one of the finest guard prospects to come out of college in years, and the Jets would be wise to select him with their first pick. 

Both the Jets' starting guards, Brandon Moore and Matt Slauson, are free agents this offseason, and it is unlikely that New York brings back both of them. 

Warmack would fill the hole perfectly, though, and he could be a staple on New York's offensive line for years to come. 

The Alabama product was a consensus All-American and All-SEC this past season, and he helped lead the Crimson Tide to a second National Championship in three seasons. 

Warmack has the experience, strength off the ball and quickness to be a rookie starter for the Jets. He could easily be a Pro Bowl-caliber player in his first season. 

Ezekiel Ansah

Ezekiel Ansah is inexperienced, having only played football since 2010, but his rare physical gifts will make him a day one starter for New York. 

Ansah would immediately upgrade the Jets' subpar pass rush at defensive end. 

The BYU graduate has an amazing combination of size, versatility and athleticism, along with unmatched power. 

Ansah is comparable to Jason Pierre-Paul, as both players boast tremendous physical traits, but both have the bust factor coming out of college, due to their inexperience. 

The Ghanaian native, along with Muhammad Wilkerson, Quinton Coples and Kenrick Ellis, would give the Jets one of the most explosive and versatile defensive lines in football. 

Giovani Benard/Eddie Lacy

New York's running game needs to improve significantly if the offense is too have any chance of succeeding under Marty Mornhinweg. 

Shonn Greene just isn't getting it done on a consistent basis as the feature back. Luckily for Jets fans, he is a free agent this offseason and will likely be testing the open market. 

Gang Green doesn't possess any starting-caliber back on their current roster, as Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight are more well-suited for the third-down role. 

The Jets should target a running back in the first few rounds of draft day, and it seems likely that either Giovani Bernard or Eddie Lacy will fall to them in the second round. 

Bernard and Lacy are by far the top two running back prospects in this year's class. 

Bernard lacks top-end speed, but he has excellent vision and power. Defenders have an extremely tough time bringing him down in the open field. 

Lacy possesses better speed than Bernard, as well as top-end power and good vision. However, he has dealt with his share of injuries throughout his collegiate career. 

Both backs are excellent options for the Jets in the second-round though, and both will be rookie starters in Gotham. 

Jarvis Jones

Jarvis Jones is coming off one of the most dominant seasons for a defensive player in SEC history. 

Jones led the nation in sacks (14.5), tackles for loss (24.5) and forced fumbles (7), despite missing two games due to injury. 

The Georgia star would be a unanimous top-five selection on draft day, maybe even the top overall pick, if not for a rare case of mild spinal stenosis that could severely hamper his NFL playing career. 

Jones' medical situation could lead to a draft day tumble. If he does fall to the ninth overall slot, the Jets would be foolish not to gamble on the Georgia native. 

The junior would immediately upgrade the Jets' below-average pass-rush, while also filling a huge hole at outside linebacker. 

Jones is the ideal first-round selection for Gang Green, and he would be an immediate starter in Rex Ryan's blitz-heavy defense. 

Kenny Vaccaro/ Eric Reid

The safety position is also a huge question mark for the Jets heading into the offseason. 

Both the team's starting safeties this past season, LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell, are free agents, and the team likely does not have the financial flexibility to re-sign the pair.

New York may take a safety on day one of the NFL Draft.

Kenny Vaccaro and Eric Reid are the two top prospects at the position, and both players will likely be gone by the middle of the second round.  

Vaccaro is the superior safety of the two, and many experts predict that he may go early in the first round. The Texas product possesses the size, speed and athleticism to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player at the next-level. 

Reid also has terrific physical traits, as he is blessed with a perfect frame for a safety, and good speed. Reid is also a tremendous tackler who can make big plays on a consistent basis. The LSU junior could be selected in the first round, but could also fall to New York in the second. 

Both Vaccaro and Reid are terrific prospects, and both would immediately shore up New York's safety need.