NFL

Jets draft Temple DL Wilkerson

For the second straight year, the Jets did not look far for their first-round draft pick.

The Jets took New Jersey native Muhammad Wilkerson, a defensive end/tackle from Temple, with the 30th pick in the first round. A year ago they selected cornerback Kyle Wilson, who is also from New Jersey, in the first round.

“We think this young man is really going to do some great things for us,” coach Rex Ryan said of Wilkerson last night.

NFL DRAFT: FIRST ROUND

MUHAMMAD WILKERSON PROFILE

Wilkerson was ranked highly by most draft experts and the Jets were thrilled he fell to them picking late in the first round. The 6-foot-4 ½, 315-pounder started his last 25 games at Temple, playing defensive tackle. His 16 ½ sacks over the past two years were second in the nation among defensive tackles behind Nebraska’s Jared Crick.

Wilkerson was a second-team All-American last year and was All-MAC two straight years. He had 9 ½ sacks as a junior last fall.

“You could make an argument this is the best pick of the first round,” ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said.

Wilkerson was the Jets’ choice over highly rated pass rushers Akeem Ayers, Brooks Reed and Da’Quan Bowers. The Jets view the 21-year-old as a versatile player who can add some depth to their defensive line rotation playing both defensive end and tackle.

“That’s a tremendous defense over there,” Wilkerson said last night. “I’m looking forward to being part of it and helping them be more destructive.”

Wilkerson worked out for the Jets on their local day, and both parties came away impressed with each other. When Wilkerson gathered at a Linden restaurant with 80-90 family members and friends, he said he had a feeling he might go to the Jets even though he grew up a Giants fan, and his older brother is a season-ticket holder for Big Blue.

“I didn’t grow up a Jets fan but now I’m a Jet,” he said. “I’m proud.”

Several defensive players fell down the draft board in the first round last night, leaving the Jets with some options.

Nose tackle Phil Taylor, who had been a Jets target, went at No. 21 to the Browns but there were several choices to make at No. 30. The most interesting was Bowers, an extremely talented defensive end whose stock fell because of knee problems.

Ryan said the choice was easy with Wilkerson sitting there.

“I think Muhammad really fits what we want to do defensively — a guy that can play head-up on a tackle and can kick back in on passing situations over centers and guards,” Ryan said. “He really was an outstanding fit for what we do defensively.”

In Ryan’s first two drafts as Jets head coach, the team has used six of its seven picks on offensive players even though Ryan is a defensive coach. This time, you had to imagine Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine lobbying general manager Mike Tannenbaum to use the first-round pick on a defender.

Tannenbaum spoke with Wilkerson’s coach at Temple, Al Golden, who is now the head coach at Miami. Golden told Tannenbaum that Wilkerson’s work ethic was similar to Jets tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, whom Golden coached at Virginia.

A knock on Wilkerson is he faced inferior competition in the MAC but he had nine tackles and a forced fumble against Penn State last year.

“You watch that game and you’ll have no concerns,” Ryan said.

With the Jets defensive line getting old, Wilkerson provides Ryan with some youth. If he’s not a starter this year, he should be part of the line rotation.

“He was an excellent player in college but we think he has more to give,” Ryan said. “I’m just excited to see this guy. We’re going to push him and push him and push him and coach him up and all that stuff to play the way we play and that’s to play like a Jet.”

WHAT’S NEXT

Here’s what to look for from the Jets on Day 2 (rounds 2 and 3) of the NFL Draft:

The Jets do not have a second-round pick, having traded it to the Chargers last year for Antonio Cromartie. After addressing a defensive need in the first round, the Jets could turn to their most glaring offensive need — wide receiver — in the third round.

North Carolina’s Greg Little would be an attractive target. If the Jets go defense, it will be a nose tackle, outside linebacker or safety — their other major areas of need. The Jets usually don’t hold onto all of their picks, so having six choices in this year’s draft gives them a chance to add some depth after choosing quality over quantity in recent years.

brian.costello@nypost.com