The Jets have traded DT Dewayne Robertson to the Denver Broncos for a conditional draft pick in 2009.
The Jets traded two first-round picks (Nos. 13 and 22) and a fourth-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft to move up to the fourth spot to select Robertson (6-1, 310, Kentucky).
He started 75 games for the Jets in five seasons, compiling 319 total tackles, 14-½ sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
In 2007, Robertson started 15 games, registering 74 tackles and four sacks.
The 26-year-old was ill-suited to play nose tackle in the 3-4 system Eric Mangini installed when he became head coach two seasons ago.
“Dewayne did a lot of good things for us and in that position in the 3-4,” Mangini said recently at the NFL owners meetings. “All sorts of guys play not only the inside and outside linebacker position, but the nose and end, and each guy adapts to their style and the system.
“I thought Dewayne did a lot of good things for us at nose where we didn’t have a lot of luxury, and he did a good job at end.
“I like him a lot. I think Dewayne is a good player in whatever system he’s in. He’s able to penetrate and make plays.”
The Jets thought they had a deal last month with the Bengals that would have returned a fourth-round and a fifth-round pick in this weekend’s draft, but Robertson could not reach a contract agreement with Cincinnati.
The Jets acquired DT Kris Jenkins from Carolina in February, clearing the way to deal Robertson, who has had knee trouble.
“[Robertson is] a guy that, if you do take, there’s going to be some question marks because if you take a look at his knees, he hasn’t passed a physical, but he’s still played 80 percent of his games,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said of Robertson last month at the owners meetings. “So how big of a risk are you going to take?”
The Jets also waived local players CB Manny Collins, LB Jerry Mackey and WR Shaine Smith, along with RB Alvin Banks.
Collins (5-10, 190, Rutgers) was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 19. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on Aug. 2, waived on Sept. 1, signed to the practice squad on Sept. 3, released on Oct. 10, re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 13 and released on Nov. 29.
He recorded 68 tackles, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries during four seasons at Rutgers.
Mackey (6-1, 233, Syracuse) who was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 9, signed Aug. 4 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 21 for an undisclosed draft pick. He was waived by the Buccaneers on Sept. 1, signed to the Jets practice squad on Oct. 4, and released on Oct. 29.
The Freeport native earned All-Nassau County and All-Long Island honors as a senior at Freeport High School.
Smith (6-2, 189, Hofstra), who was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 9, originally signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 10 and was waived on Aug. 31.
He played two seasons at Hofstra, recording 61 catches for 951 yards and nine touchdowns after transferring from Nassau Community College. As a senior, he caught 60 passes for 951 yards and nine touchdowns and recorded four 100-yard games.
Banks (5-10, 225, James Madison), who was added to the Jets practice squad Dec. 9, was signed May 12 as an undrafted rookie free agent and was waived on Sept. 1. He rushed for 11 yards on five carries during the preseason.
With AP