Ten picks in the 2012 NFL draft is over three-quarters as many picks as the New York Jets had from the years 2008-2010 combined.
And with depth concerns across the roster, the Jets really need to get a majority of their picks right.
Safety, outside and inside linebacker, wide receiver and offensive tackle are the most glaring holes on the roster in terms of both top-end talent and depth. With that in mind, here are my predictions for every pick.
First Round, Pick 16: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
The Jets fans' dream pick is Melvin Ingram. But there are simply too many teams that need a pass-rusherâ€"the Rams, Jaguars, Dolphins, Panthers, Seahawks, Cardinals and Cowboys could all be in the market for a pass-rusherâ€"to realistically project Ingram to still be on the board at No. 16.Â
This is especially true considering the "physical freak" nature of Ingram's game and the subsequent thought process of coaches who think they can get the most out of him. The same thing happened with Aldon Smith, and it paid dividends for the 49ers. Teams will look at that model for success.
Upshaw is no Smith as a pass-rusher, but he's a versatile linebacker in a similar mold to Calvin Pace. He may not give a team 10-plus sacks per season, but he is a sure-fire fit in the NFL and could be a three-down player as early as year one. That's the kind of value you look for in a first-round pick, and that's why this pick carries over from my previous mock draft.
Second Round, Pick 47:Â Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss
No. 79, right tackle.
Massie is more than your average 6'6" 316-pound offensive tackle. His quick feet make him a solid pass protector for his size, and he'll immediately contribute to the ground-and-pound mentality that the Jets want to employ.
He will likely be a fixture at right tackle, but as of now, that's good enough. It shouldn't take much to overtake Wayne Hunter; they've been hot and cold on him this offseason and could easily replace him with a second-round pick.
Third Round, Pick 77: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
Do they still play run defense in Tennessee?
What the Jets lack in the backfield is an explosive playmaking threat. They have tried to find the answer in past years through the draft with the selection of Joe McKnight, who has become a solid return man on special teams but has yet to find a role in the backfield.
Pead can run between the tackles, but his true strength is in the open field. He had 39 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns, showing the open-field burst that the Jets lack at running back. What's more, he can block. With that, he has the ability to be a true three-down back in the NFL.
Fifth Round, Pick 154: Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
If Criner is still on the board at No. 154, Rex Ryan himself will likely run all the way from the war room to the podium with the selection card faster than any man in the history of the NFL draft.
He hauled in 157 catches for 2,189 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons, on a statistical par with the likes of Michael Floyd and other top wide receivers.
His combination of size and speed will likely have Mark Sanchez salivating for the days when he could get Braylon Edwards streaking up the sideline. The Jets lack that one-on-one, outside-the-numbers threat and could find their answer in Criner.
Sixth Round, Pick 187: Lucas Nix, OG, Pittsburgh
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
In this mock draft, the Jets have already hit four major needs. At this point, the focus should be depth.
Nix has started at both right guard and right tackle, and his versatility in that sense would make him a perfect fit as a "sixth man." Even if he's not ready to start immediately, he has the potential to get there eventually and would greatly benefit from being surrounded by talent on the line.
Sixth Round, Pick 202:Â Kelcie McCray, S, Arkansas State
The Jets might like to find a top-end safety in this draft, but there simply aren't many to be had. McCray has the speed to contribute as a Cover 1 safety, although he'll need to bulk up a bit before he can be an effective safety in run defense.
Sixth Round, Pick 203:Â Kyle Wilber, OLB, Wake Forest
His sizeâ€"6'4", 240 poundsâ€"is not exactly perfect for the Jets defense, but he's an athletic pass-rusher who could contribute big time in sub packages, in a similar mold to Aaron Maybin.Â
Seventh Round, Pick 232:Â Jeff Demps, RB, Florida
Demps has the potential to be a huge steal for the Jets. He is a home run hitter when he gets to the perimeter and still has a ton of tread on the tires, having never carried the ball more than 100 times in his college career. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry on his career, and though you'd like to see more productivity in the passing game (57 career receptions for 481 yards and a touchdown), the explosive potential will help the Jets in its own right.
Seventh Round, Picksorry 242:Â Randy Bullock, K, Texas A&M
What grade would you give this draft for the Jets?
What grade would you give this draft for the Jets?
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Another pick that carries over from a recent mock draft, Bullock is considered one of the few draft-worthy prospects at kicker. He ranked fifth in the nation, making 87.9 percent of his field goals in 2011. Nick Folk has floundered as of late (going 24-of-32 in the past two years, 76.6 percent) so getting some insurance at the position would be a wise move if he's unable to return to the Pro Bowl form of his rookie season.
Seventh Round, Pick 244: Adrien Robinson, TE, Cincinnati
The Jets already have a solid pass-catching tight end in Dustin Keller, but they need to add a physical blocking presence. That could be Robinson, who could use his 6'4", 264-pound frame to help an offensive tackle against a team's best pass-rusher. At this point, the Jets are just glad to get someone who can provide a measure of depth in a role they need filled.
Pick info provided by NFL.com.
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