Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum — a/k/a “Trader Mike” for his active trigger finger when it comes to offseason transactions — was flanked on a dais by team VP of college scouting Joey Clinkscales and player-personnel executive Terry Bradway on Thursday during a pre-draft meeting with reporters.
“It’s nice to have six picks this year for a change,” Clinkscales said before adding, with a wry look to Tannenbaum, “We’ll see how long we have six picks.”
The Jets have had a total of just seven picks in the last two drafts because of various trades to upgrade their team, including their dramatic trade up to land Mark Sanchez at No. 5 overall in 2009.
Interestingly, six of those seven picks have been offensive players — a categorical upset considering these decisions have come in the Rex Ryan era. The Jets coach eats, sleeps, breathes and bleeds defense.
VIDEO: CANNIZZARO’S DRAFT PREVIEW
Barring any pre-draft activity by Tannenbaum, the Jets will enter the beginning of the three-day NFL Draft on Thursday night with six picks, starting with the 30th overall-selection in the first round.
They don’t have a second-round pick because of their trade for cornerback Antonio Cromartie, but they do have picks in rounds three, four, five, six and seven.
For the moment, of course.
But — because the NFL lockout has prohibited teams from making any offseason free-agent signings or trades — look for the Jets to use all six of their picks this year in an effort to stock their roster with some young talent at some key positions of need: Defensive end, linebacker and safety.
Considering the uncertain state of the Jets receiving corps because Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith are free agents, don’t rule out a receiver being picked if the right player falls to the Jets in the first round — though that would be a significant upset.
The Jets, too, could pluck a punter in the mid- to late rounds. Steve Weatherford is a free agent, and the team is looking for an upgrade.
Tannenbaum said there are between eight and 10 players the Jets have in mind when their pick comes at No. 30. That number is likely narrower than that.
Among the players the Jets like at No. 30 are UCLA’s Akeem Ayers, Arizona’s Brooks Reed and Georgia’s Justin Houston — all outside linebackers with edge pass-rushing ability, something the Jets lack most.
Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan is a possibility, too, though he played defensive end in a 4-3 scheme in college, so there might be question about whether he can make a smooth transition as a pro linebacker to Ryan’s 3-4.
The Jets also like some defensive linemen, including Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor, who could step into the role vacated by the injury-prone and released Kris Jenkins. Taylor has a reported chronic foot problem, but he has started 25 games the last two years, and Clinkscales downplayed that as a draft risk.
Another intriguing possibility is Temple defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who’s from nearby Linden, N.J. Wilkerson, who likely will be gone when the Jets pick, is a versatile player with defensive-end pass-rush ability who can move inside, something Ryan loves.
Ohio State’s Cam Heyward, son of Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, also is on the Jets’ radar, though he’s likely to be picked before the Jets
mcannizzaro@nypost.com
WISH LIST
Five players who should interest the Jets in the first round:
AKEEM AYERS, OLB, UCLA (6-3, 254): His best year was 2009, when he had six sacks and 14.5 tackles for losses. Numbers dropped to four and 10 last season. A speed rusher on the edge, an area the Jets need improvement.
PHIL TAYLOR, NT, BAYLOR (6-3, 334): With injury-plagued Kris Jenkins gone (at least for the moment) and Sione Pouha age 32, Taylor could be replacement for future, and is good fit in Jets’ 3-4 scheme.
CAM HEYWARD, DE, OHIO STATE (6-5, 294): Son of the late “Ironhead” Heyward could be replacement for Shaun Ellis. Has size to play the 5-technique in Jets’ scheme. Four-year starter who had 14.5 sacks.
RAHIM MOORE, S, UCLA (6-0, 202): Jets have one safety under contract and have question marks with how Jim Leonhard will recover from his broken leg. Moore’s best year was 2009, when he had 10 interceptions. A ballhawk but his tackling is suspect.
JUSTIN HOUSTON, OLB, GEORGIA (6-3, 270): Had 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for losses in SEC. Fast (ran a 4.62 in the NFL Combine) and can play in the 3-4.
MOST SUCCESSFUL ROUND
Historically, Jets have struck gold in the fourth round. In recent years, they have drafted RB Leon Washington, WR Brad Smith, safety Kerry Rhodes and WR Jerricho Cotchery in Round 4.