It’s the day of the draft, y’all, and if Smokescreen Wednesday wasn’t crazy enough for you, today we have an even more intense disinformation campaign. Yesterday I tried to make sense of all the madness, but today’s draft day rumor and innuendo has my head spinning.

I’ll be honest. I don’t know what to think.

For all the chatter yesterday about the Jets possibly moving into the top 5 to select Alabama RB Trent Richardson – who is reportedly at the top of the Jets draft board – there is an equal amount of chatter speculating that the Jets might actually – gasp! – trade down?

ESPN’s Adam Schefter also confirmed the Jets are open to trading back, and have made phone calls inquiring about a move.

Can you imagine Tannenbaum moving down? It’s not his MO, but the Jets certainly have a lot of needs to address, and trading down would give them more picks and more opportunities to add more quality players. Maybe hell has frozen over. (Can I say that on here?).

As for a trade down? I’ll go on record and say that if the Jets DO take out a second mortgage and pull off a crazy trade for Trent, I just can’t find a way to pretend I’m unhappy with the move. Trent is just one of those special players that only comes along once in a while, and with the Jets planning to return to a run-heavy offense, Trent would make a big impact. That said, I do think they can up a RB in a mid-round that could also contribute and make a difference, and that might be a safer approach considering they have so many other positions to fill.

My prediction is that the Jets will stay put at #16, and draft defense by taking either DE/OLB Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, DE Quinton Coples or even DT Michael Brockers, depending on how the board shakes out. I am somewhat wary of Coples, but if the Jets were to take him at 16, they could then target a 2nd round OLB, like Bruce Irvin.

I have had the Ingram vs. Upshaw discussion with people for weeks, but I really don’t get the sense the Jets are too high on Upshaw, for one reason or another. You just aren’t really hearing a lot of buzz from the team about him, and though that could mean nothing, I’m inclined to believe it means something.

Though I believe an outside lineback better fits the Jets defensive needs, Brockers is a great player that could fall to 16, and the Jets would be mighty tempted to go best player available at that point. I think it’s highly unlikely he is there, as Brockers is a great fit for many teams in the 7-15 range.

As I have been saying for weeks, I don’t imagine that S Mark Barron will not be an option for the Jets, as it appears extremely likely he will become a Cowboy. There are other teams at play for Barron too, and I think the Jets have already made some plans to address this need later. On the off chance he is there, I’m all for it.

I also remain firmly committed to my belief that Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd will NOT be there at 16, and drafting Kendall Wright or Stephen Hill seems like unnecessary reach at 16 considering the depth of receiver talent in this draft class. I participated in a Twitter mock draft yesterday where I represented the Vikings and Panthers, and the Jets rep took Wright at 16. I strongly disagree with this move. Wait.

There is, of course, the possibility the Jets shock me and go with an offensive lineman like Cordy Glenn or David DeCastro. I really don’t foresee this happening, but this is a move I can celebrate considering the instability at the RT position.

Either way, it’s sure to be an exciting night with lots of drama. I will be live tweeting (follow me @kristinereese) and providing updates on all the latest Jets and NFL news here and on Aerys Offsides.

And remember my mantra, Jets fans: Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Cheers.

Who will the Jets select tonight? Weigh in on the poll below. 

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I’m not sure if you have head, but the NFL Draft is tomorrow. It’s kind of been under the radar and not too many people know about it, so you’re welcome.

With the draft being less than 24 hours away, there are a lot of tidbits and whispers circulating the interwebs, and in turn, there is a lot to discuss. I tried to tackle it all.

Photo c/o nflsoup.com

1. There has been a lot of talk recently, especially today, about the possibility of the Jets trading up to select Alabama RB Trent Richardson, with several specifically citing a trade with Minnesota.

Earlier this afternoon, ESPN’s Rich Cimini tweeted: “Trent Richardson said  Jets called him Sunday to verify correct contact info just in case they trade up for him. Hmm.” okay.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper dropped also dropped a hint via his Twitter about the Jets or Bucs possibly trading up with to #3, as he anticipates the Browns will take the running back if he is available.

Then, Evan Silva tweeted, “They (the Jets) have (Trent) Richardson very high on their board. I just sat in Tannenbaum’s office. It’s in his history to go up.”

We then learned that according to Sal Paolantonio, Trent is #1 on the Jets draft board.

Now, a lot of BS gets thrown around before the draft, and I want to minimize the overreaction. So let’s try to be realistic in our expectations. A trade for Trent could definitely happen, but it would cost a lot. Likely a 1st, 2nd and  then some. Can we afford it? Does it even matter? I still doubt it happens, but Trent is a special player and it would definitely be a very exciting move for the franchise. Not to abuse the word, but “smokescreen” Wednesday is really living up to it’s name.

Also, don’t rule out the possibility of the Rams also getting in the mix for a trade up, as there has some rumored interest from them as well.

2. I still think the Jets will aim to go with a defensive player in the first round, and I think it’s still primarily a choice between S. Carolina De/OLB Melvin Ingram and Alabama DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw. For those of you that are tooting the Melvin Ingram horn, I think it’s Seattle that stands between the Jets and Ingram. If Kuechly is gone, I suspect the Seahawks will grab him.

Upshaw has fallen as of late, and many suspect weight gain is the reason. SI’s Chris Burke wrote in his “Audibles” column yesterday that teams are conflicted on Upshaw; they don’t know if he is a 3-4 OLB or a 4-3 DE. The extra weight seems to put him into more of a DE designation, and perhaps that is why we aren’t hearing more chatter about him and the Jets.

4. Though I personally would prefer Melvin Ingram to Courtney Upshaw, I believe Upshaw is the most likely pick, with DE Quiton Coples also being an extremely likely selection.  Coples is, without a doubt, a great player but there are still a lot of questions about his work ethic. I’m skeptical, but only because I think we can’t afford to have a guy with this kind of a question mark in the first round.

5. I believe the Jets will walk away from the draft with, at minimum, a safety, wide receiver, running back, a pass rusher, a kicker and a punter. Possibly an OT/OG, but I believe that depends on whether or not they make a trade with someone and forfeit picks. Here are a few names I like at S, WR and RB.

• Safety – While the drop off at safety is significant after Alabama’s Mark Barron, there are a number of guys the Jets could potentially draft in the mid rounds. Among them are Harrison Smith (2nd), Markelle Martin (3rd) and George Iloka (2nd or 3rd). Also, there are a number of cornerback prospects that could move into a free safety role (like Trumaine Johnson, projected for 2-3rd round), so look for them to possibly go that route.
• Wide Receiver – This draft is extremely deep at WR, and I anticipate that the Jets will take advantage in the mid-late rounds. The Jets have worked and met with out a TON of receivers. Obviously there is Alshon Jeffery and Muhammed Sanu , but I like Brian Quick (2-3) and Marvin McNutt (4th or 5th) as well. Nick Toon is also a real possibility because of the familial ties.
• Running Back – After Trent, Doug Martin and David Wilson are your next best. I would love to see the Jets walk away with one of these guys, but I don’t know how likely that is. A few other names to consider? Lamar Miller (2-3rd), LaMichael James (3rd), Isiah Pead (3-4th)  and Tarrance Gannaway (5-7th)

6. A lot of people have suggested the Jets take a 7th round flier on “troubled” (I couldn’t really think of an appropriate word) ILB  Vontaze Burfict. Burfict was a projected first round pick entering the 2011 season. His off-the-field behavior, weight issues, and poor performance in drills resulted in his projection slipping into the 7th round, and that was before news today revealed that he failed a drug test before the combine. It’s highly possible that given this recent news, Burfict goes undrafted altogether.

But many Jets fans believe the team should use one of their seventh rounders on the prospect, especially considering the team’s need at the position. I remain extremely skeptical about the guy, though I acknowledge that he could really help us out if he gets himself together. Frankly, I don’t think he really deserves the opportunity. Feel free to strongly disagree.  » Continue reading “Ten Things I Think About the Jets Heading Into the Draft”

Anyone watch the BCS Championship game last night? How about that Courtney Upshaw?

Several mock drafts, including the latest from SB Nation, have Upshaw going to the Jets at #16, and the idea of the OLB joining Gang Green next season has fans drooling. Upshaw is considered to be the top 3-4 OLB in this year’s draft and the National Football Post has him ranked 18th on their Big Board. I would estimate he will move up in the rankings after last night’s performance.

I would love tell you where ESPN College Football analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have him ranked on their Big Board, but I’m not an ESPN Insider. How lame is that? I digress..

The Jets desperately need a pass rusher (or two) and as far as I can tell, Upshaw’s only downside is that he lacks speed. As you well know, the Jets are in desperate need of speed on both sides of the ball.

Upshaw was the 2012 BCS Championship defensive MVP. In his acceptance speech he shared the award with the entire defense. He was also voted MVP in last year’s Capitol One Bowl against Michigan State.

Speaking of the Crimson Tide, the National Football Post has Alabama running back Trent Richardson going to the Jets. The NFP believes that Richardson is the perfect addition to the Jets “Ground and Pound” running attack and the Jets will need another top tier runner if LT retires this off-season, as he has previously indicated.

Derrick Mason Retires

Derrick Mason has announced he is retiring for the NFL after 15 seasons. Mason made the official announcement yesterday to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.

Mason has made the rounds with the media in the past few days commenting on the Jets locker room, so it should come as no surprise that he revealed a few more things yesterday. Mason described the locker room as, “a mess. A cluster you-know-what.”

He also added:

You don’t see stuff like this, it’s not the norm. Before I left, you could see it materializing. Things heated up. If I was the problem, it would have stopped. If I was the guy complaining, it would have stopped. I wasn’t the cancer in the locker room.

Other News and Notes

• The New York Jets have signed LB Eddie Jones to a reserve/future contract.
• Former Jets assistant coach Sal Alosi has been hired as UCLA strength and conditioning coach, per ESPN. Alosi is best remembered from his involvement in “trip-gate” last season…
• James Walker of ESPN‘s AFC East Blog, handed out the “Walker Awards“. He (Surpised, surprise) awarded his boyfriend, Tom Brady, Player of the Year. (No, really, he loves Tom Brady).  He awarded Jets JOLB Aaron Maybin Comeback Player of the Year. Just a blogger award – I know-but it’s still well deserved.
• Lastly, Per Rich Cimini, LaDainian Tomlinson will be a guest On ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.