Josh Norris: Updated NFL Mock Draft, the New York Jets Select……….

Jan 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Riley Guilmino poses with a New Orleans Saints No. 1 jersey at the NFL Draft exhibit at the Super Bowl XLVII Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Here we are, approximately five weeks away from the opening of the NFL draft. We soon get to find out who will be holding a similar jersey to the young man pictured to the right.

As such, the Mock Drafts are coming out left and right, and they will until the draft finally arrives next month. From time to time, we are going to take a look at some of these mock drafts, and evaluate them from a Jets perspective.

Let’s take a look at this draft from Josh Norris from NFL.com.  I wanted to look at this one because he makes a pick that I haven’t seen in any of the other Mock Drafts I have read so far.

Here is the pick…

XAVIER RHODES, CB, FLORIDA STATE

Yes, I’m projecting Darrelle Revis will indeed be traded. The Jets could target a pass rusher or nose tackle at this spot, but I think Rhodes will go earlier than expected.

Take a look at his entire mock by clicking here.

Rhodes measures in at 6’1″, 210 pounds.  He ran an impressive 4.43 seconds in the 40 yard dash.

As a redshirt freshman in 2010, he broke up 12 passes, picking off four of them.  He was part of a larger, three man rotation in 2011, so he only had one interception.  He completed his college career with a senior campaign that included 3 INTs out of seven pass breakups.

Here is some video:

The guy can play, this we have no doubt. Do you notice how he gets his hands on the wide receiver coming off of the line of scrimmage? It’s not often that a guy coming out of college has a decent working concept of press coverage. He is a fierce hitter, and can stay with anyone with his speed. I worry about him leaving his feet when he tackles. I saw that a little too much, and that makes him susceptible to a move from a ball carrier.

I oppose this pick, not because of the talent of the player. Rhodes can play. But, at cornerback, even without Revis, the Jets will have Cromartie, an improving Kyle Wilson, and an improving Ellis Lankster. This team doesn’t need to go that high for a cornerback.

In this draft scenario, players still available at number 9 include Jarvis Jones, Sheldon Richardson, Star Lotulelei, and Bjoern Werner. Any of these guys would be a smarter value for the Jets at number 9. These are players that are excessively talented, and in a position of need for the team.

So I am not in favor of this pick. We will see what happens soon enough.