2013 NFL Draft and the New York Jets: Predictions for Day One

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Jets fans react to the selection of defensive end Quinton Coples (North Carolina) as the 16th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

The time has just about arrived, Jets fans. Tomorrow night, fans will line the rows of Radio City Music Hall, and the 32 NFL teams will be set to begin choosing their future stars. As we know, it’s round one tomorrow night, 2-3 on Friday, and the balance of the draft on Saturday. Has the league gone out of its way to make the draft more of a TV spectacle than a working meeting? Maybe, but it is what it is. That’s a discussion for another day.

Tonight, I wanted to bring you some predictions on how I see things going tomorrow. Not so much a mock draft, with all of those types of specifics. These are going to be more general thoughts as to how John Idzik will handle the picks, positions he might choose, and maybe a name or two mixed in there. Let’s get to it.

Draft guru Gil Brandt has the Jets trading up to the number 3 position, giving up their ninth and one other pick.  With the choice, he has the Jets taking Dee Milliner to eventually replace Revis.  I normally like a lot of what Brandt has to say, but I think he is off base here.

A team in the Jets situation is needs more picks, not less.  It’s a much more likely scenario that the Jets will move back with either one, or both of their picks in the first round.  Don’t look for the Jets to trade up at all.

The Jets did play well with Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson as the starting corners. Don’t be surprised if the Jets go ahead with these two as their starters to open up camp.

Feb 24, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith (13) participates in a passing drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t look for them to go with a quarterback tomorrow night either, and that is not because of my opinion of Mark Sanchez. Yes, there have been rumors linking the Jets highly with Ryan Nassibe, and they did work out Geno Smith. The thing about this class of quarterbacks is the range of grades these players have received. Nassib has been graded anywhere from being the top of the group, to barely being worth a draft pick, just to give you an example.

The opinions on these quarterbacks are so wide-ranging, that it’s hard to believe that the Jets would be that sold on one of these players. Anything is possible. Terry Bradway wanted to draft Russell Wilson last year, so you never know. I just don’t see it, the Jets taking a quarterback that early. If they take one at all, expect it to occur either at the end of the Friday session, or Saturday.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) catches a pass defended by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dee Milliner (28) during the first half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Elfert was ruled out of bounds on the play. Mandatory Credit: Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports

I see a move for a tight end like Tyler Eifert to be more likely tomorrow night. Jeff Cumberland is a nice player, but the Jets don’t believe he is the starting tight end. It’s safe to assume that the Jets will have selected a tight end by the end of the Friday session at the latest.

That being said, it is more likely that the Jets choose a tight end after trading down. These tight ends are not valued in too many circles as top 15 picks, so the Jets could select one of them after moving down in the round.

If the Jets stay put at 9th and 13th, look for them to go Tavon Austin at 9, and one of the pass rushers at 13. Austin had such a wonderful day at the NFL combine that he has shot up into the top 10 as far as many are concerned. We have looked at this guy before, he would be the big play offensive player that the Jets have been waiting for.

This defense needs an elite pass rusher to be all that it can be. Could you imagine if this defense could get to the quarterback, without all of the fancy blitzing? This draft is quite deep with this type of pass rusher, that at 13th, the Jets won’t pass up the opportunity. Whether it will be Mingo, Jarvis Jones, Dion Jordan if he fell that far, or any of the others, remains to be seen. But to me, there is little doubt that this will be the position that is addressed.

One more day gang, and we get to see how this plays out. Finally.