Despite their ascent to the AFC Championship game last January, the Jets hardly have acted like a team that feels like it’s a player or two away from getting to — and winning — the Super Bowl.
The Jets hardly have stood pat, adding marquee players at key positions.
That won’t change when the NFL Draft begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday.
The Jets, who have five picks in the draft, are likely to target a couple of areas — beginning, but not ending, with defense.
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Look for pass-rushing linebackers or defensive ends, defensive backs and receivers to be their target.
Among the edge pass rushers that are attractive to the Jets are TCU’s Jerry Hughes, Texas’ Sergio Kindle and Michigan’s Brandon Graham.
Among the defensive backs to keep an eye on are Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty and USC safety Taylor Mays, if he falls to late in the first round.
Last year, the Jets aggressively went after offense, drafting franchise quarterback Mark Sanchez in the first round then picking running back Shonn Greene.
Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum took a light-hearted approach when asked if coach Rex Ryan, who has built his reputation as one of the best defensive coaches in the game, was going to tolerate more offensive players picked in the early rounds.
“We can’t get [defensive coordinator] Mike Pettine out of the draft room,” he said jokingly. “I would expect the first Rex Ryan defensive player to be drafted this year.”
Another thing to watch Thursday and Friday is whether Tannenbaum, nicknamed by some as “Trader Mike,” pulls the trigger on more draft-day trades.
The Jets, after all, traded up to get Sanchez and Greene last year. In 2008, they traded up into the first round to pick tight end Dustin Keller. In ’07, they traded up to pick both cornerback Darrelle Revis and linebacker David Harris.
“I told these guys we are not trading up this year — no matter what happens, grab the phones,” Tannenbaum said with a smile. “I don’t want to trade up, but we’ll see what happens.”
Typical Tannenbaum, always cautious to cover his bases, he left the door open ajar.
This draft, according to many experts, is not great at the top but has depth, meaning teams such as the Jets, who are picking in the lower third of the first round, don’t really need to be so tempted to trade up.
“I think there is a decent group in the top part of the first round, but I don’t think it’s really great,” Jets senior personnel executive Terry Bradway said. “From the bottom of the first round into like the fourth round, maybe even into the fifth round, there are going to be a lot of good football players.
“There is really strong depth, especially at wide receiver. I think the corners and safeties, there are a lot of players there that are going to come in and play for people and not just in the upper rounds, but maybe in rounds four and five where you’ll be able to steal some players.”
The Jets own the 29th overall pick in the first round then they draft 61st overall in the second round. From there, they have single picks in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds.
They sent their third-round pick to the Browns in the Braylon Edwards trade last season and just traded their fifth-rounder to the Steelers for receiver Santonio Holmes last Sunday.
Look for the Jets to address their pass rush with one or both of their top two picks. Despite finishing with the No. 1 ranked overall defense, the Jets produced just 32 sacks last season. Only eight of those came from defensive linemen and 171⁄2 of them game from linebackers.
They have been flirting with Dolphins pass rushing specialist Jason Taylor, who’s expected to make a decision on whether or not to accept the Jets’ offer before the draft.
But Tannenbaum said whatever happens with Taylor will not have a great impact on who the team drafts.
“I don’t think it’s going to be hugely outcome determinative of what we would do because I still want to take the best football player at the end of the day,” Tannenbaum said. “Could it be a small factor? Maybe a small tiebreaker? It could.”
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
JETS THREE DRAFT NEEDS
Edge pass rusher
LB Calvin Pace (eight sacks in 2009) is the only true pass rusher on the front seven. DE Shaun Ellis (6 1/2 sacks) is aging. LB Vernon Gholston is entering his third season and doesn’t have a sack. TCU’s Jerry Hughes (111/2 sacks last season), Texas’ Sergio Kindle (16 sacks last two seasons) or Michigan’s Brandon Graham (101/2 sacks last season) are possible top picks by the Jets.
Offensive line
The Jets’ starting five are strong — widely considered the best in the league. But depth and age is an issue. Guard Alan Faneca might have only one more year left and tackle Damien Woody could be in the same situation. Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis, if he slips in the first round, could be a good fit.
Secondary
The Jets added Antonio Cromartie to play CB opposite Darrelle Revis, but coach Rex Ryan never can have enough corners. With the departure of Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland, look for the Jets to add corners. Rutgers’ Devin McCourty, who also is a specialteams gem, or Florida State’s Patrick Robinson are two possibilities. With Kerry Rhodes gone, adding a safety is possible, and USC’s Taylor Mays could slip to the Jets.