Steve Serby

Steve Serby

NFL

Rex proved his worth, time for Idzik to do the same

Now it’s your turn, John Idzik.

Batter up. Your coach, your team, your organization, your franchise, your long-suffering fans, all need you to knock one out of the park.

Your collaborative, collective — your favorite words immediately behind competition — decision to keep Rex Ryan was the prudent one, and it showed me something, because you easily could have lobbied strongly for your own man. That’s the mark of a good executive, team-first all the way, checking his ego at the door of the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. There is no “I” in Idzik, even though there are two of them.

Enough with the pleasantries. You have your coach. Now get him players. Going 8-8 is nice for a rebuilding — sorry, you prefer the word building — year.

Now build the Jets a winner.

I have heard you talk about sustainable success. I know you didn’t come here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings any more than your partner did.

You tore the house almost to the foundation as a rookie GM, and once you remove the rest of the dead wood — namely Santonio Holmes ($8.25 million in cap room relief) and Mark Sanchez ($8.3 million in cap room savings) — you’ll have something like $40 million to spend, and it is critical to Woody Johnson’s emotional well being and the future is now of the Jets that you spend it wisely.

Signing Mo Wilkerson to a mega deal is a no-brainier, and bringing Antonio Cromartie ($14.9 million cap 2014) back at a more affordable price is fiscally responsible.

Receiver Eric Decker should be a free agent priority, but you surely have to expect Peyton Manning and the Broncos to press to keep him.

You told us when you arrived that you considered the draft the lifeline, and I see that you will be picking 18th in the first round. Some previous 18th picks: WR Art Monk (1980); WR Willie Gault (1983); Chad Pennington (2000); OLB Calvin Pace (2003); Joe Flacco (2008); C Maurkice Pouncey (2000); DE Corey Liuget (2011); S Eric Reid (2013).

Rex solicited some sarcastic yuks and widespread eyeball-rolling when he all but opined your 2012 draft class was the Beyonce of draft classes. Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was an impact player from the git-go, and the late surge by Dee Milliner and Geno Smith eased concerns and provides hope for a better tomorrow.

But this is your moment of truth.

They said you were predominantly a cap guy when Woody found you through Jed Hughes of Korn Ferry, so silence the critics once and for all, show us what you got, show us a Dartmouth education can be instrumental in making expert personnel decisions (and, by the way, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to listen to Terry Bradway, who loved Russell Wilson during the 2012 draft). But I know you are a savvy consensus builder, you and your right hand man, Rod Graves, who is no nabe, will be good listeners.

The jury is out on Smith as your franchise quarterback, and in today’s NFL, you better not wait too long to find out if you have one (see Jaguars, Blaine Gabbert, or Vikings, Christian Ponder). So if you should fall in love with one of the projected first-round quarterbacks, pull the trigger.

ESPN draft maven Mel Kiper expects to move Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater up from No. 10 to 4 or 5 next week on his Big Board, but if he comes out, he’ll go immediately to one of the many quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft. So will Johnny Manziel, No. 14 on the Big Board.

“I think he’s The Next Fran Tarkenton,” Kiper told The Post.

The draft could also include Brett Hundley, No. 17 on the Big Board, and Blake Bordles, No. 26. Kiper believes if Hundley stays at UCLA, he can be a Top 5 pick next year. Bordles has imposing size.

“He can shrug off defenders in the pocket,” Kiper said. “He doesn’t always hit guys in stride.”

Kiper feels AJ McCarron could make a move toward the bottom of the first round if he shows well at the Senior Bowl.

“He makes clutch throw after clutch throw.” Kiper said. “The only thing he lacks is a big-time arm.”

Fresno State’s Derek Carr needs to redeem himself for a bad game against USC.

“Quick release … strong arm … .can move around … played against terrible competition,” Kiper said.

Wide receiver David Nelson was a nifty free agent find, but if none of the quarterback’s float your boat, you can grab one in the third round, where you have two picks, or beyond, and provide Smith with a receiver or tight end who can scare defensive coordinators.

Junior Sammy Watkins is No. 6 on the Big Board.

“Great after the catch,” Kiper said. “His 0-10 will be better than his. 40.”

Junior Marqise Lee is No. 7.

“A difference maker,” Kiper said. “Explosive out of the break. Very good hands, very good threat downfield.”

Texas A&M’s Mike Evans is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound target with an Anquan Boldin mentality.

“If he’s covered, he’s still open,” Kiper said.

Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews could sneak into the first round despite speed concerns.

“Huge hands … in the film room all the time,” Kiper said.

Idzik should be interested to learn that Kiper has TE Eric Ebron No. 13 on his Big Board.

“You can flex him out wide. . .just a great receiving tight end,” Kiper said.

You’ll meet the press Tuesday morning, John. It’s on you now to help Rex make 2014 a Happy New Year.