Since the 2010 NFL Draft, the New York Jets have had five first-round picks. Every single one of those picks has been allocated to the defensive side of the ball. Will the trend hold up again under Rex Ryan, or will the Jets finally address an offense that finished 29th and 28th over the last two seasons in points scored?
The Jets did address the skill positions in the offseason by signing wide receivers Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford, along with Michael Vick at quarterback. With Vick and 2013 second-rounder Geno Smith, we'll cross quarterback off the list for New York. But wide receiver remains in play, so general manager John Idzik could have his choice of Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and Marqise Lee. Perhaps Kelvin Benjamin's size could be seen as an easy fix.
Zack Martin is probably the best offensive lineman available and would probably make sense as well.
But if the Jets are to play to their strengths, Ryan and co. will stick on defense. After losing Antonio Cromartie in free agency, there's a hole at cornerback, where free-agent addition Dimitri Patterson is penciled in as a starter opposite last year's first-round pick Dee Milliner. Kyle Fuller probably has the most "Jets" skillset at cornerback because of his physicality, but Ohio State's Bradley Roby or even TCU's Jason Verrett could be in play as well. Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward would make sense too.
Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley might be the best player available, and Ryan surely wouldn't mind another capable leader on defense. Up front, the combination of Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson is as impressive a two-man pair of any 3-4 defense in the league, but the nose tackle spot could be improved. Notre Dame's Louis Nix and, to a lesser extent, Ra'Shede Hageman of Minnesota could intrigue the Jets.
So will the Jets double down on their strength or address the weaker side of the ball in the first round? As always, you make the call …
Previous Selections
**1. Houston Texans -- LB Jadeveon Clowney**
**2. St. Louis Rams -- T Greg Robinson**
**3. Jacksonville Jaguars -- QB Johnny Manziel**
**4. Cleveland Browns -- WR Sammy Watkins**
5. Oakland Raiders -- LB Khalil Mack
6. Atlanta Falcons -- OT Jake Matthews
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- WR Mike Evans
8. Minnesota Vikings -- QB Blake Bortles
9. Buffalo Bills -- TE Eric Ebron10. Detroit Lions -- CB Justin Gilbert 11. Tennessee Titans -- DE/OLB Anthony Barr12. New York Giants -- OT Taylor Lewan13. St. Louis Rams -- S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
