The Jets own the 16th pick in the NFL Draft. Following a disappointing 8-8 season and missing the playoffs, the Jets will look to address several needs in this year’s draft.
With the team’s first pick, the Jets likely will look to solidify its defensive front, particularly the pass rush by drafting Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw.
Upshaw, a two-year starter at Alabama, is the second-best DE/OLB prospect in this draft and was an elite rush linebacker in college (16.5 sacks in 27 starts). Upshaw’s ability to explode into the opponent’s backfield would fit perfectly in Rex Ryan’s blitz-happy 3-4 defensive scheme.
Upshaw’s size and speed are a bit of a concern heading into the Draft, however. The 2012 BCS National Championship Game MVP did not perform in front of scouts at the combine and weighed in at 273 during the Senior Bowl in January, which is heavier than most 3-4 linebackers. Upshaw’s 4.81 40-yard dash time during Alabama’s pro day also turned heads, in the wrong way.
In spite of the concerns, Upshaw, who is considered by many to be a tweener, would be the best pass rusher left on the board for the Jets at this point. Upshaw’s SEC pedigree puts him higher than Syracuse’s Chandler Jones (also a DE/OLB) and his ability to play the rush linebacker position gives him an edge over South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, who projects to be a 4-3 DE.
The Jets also have needs at the safety and receiver positions, but barring a trade to move up and select Alabama’s Mark Barron or Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd, they will select Upshaw with the 16th selection in the NFL Draft.