Since 2002, the New York Jets have used eight of their 12 first-round draft picks on defensive players. After trading up for Mark Sanchez (D1, No. 5) in 2009, the Green & White addressed the defensive side of the ball the past three first-rounds with CB Kyle Wilson (D1, No. 29) in 2010, DE Muhammad Wilkerson (D1, No. 30) in '11 and DE Quinton Coples (D1, No. 16) last April.
While the Jets have acknowledged they need more explosive playmakers on offense, it is still difficult to determine who they might target in the draft considering free agency begins on March 13. The roster will have a number of alterations in the weeks ahead, but that won't prevent the Mock Drafts from being published.
And while browsing the Mock landscape here in the second week of February, it has a distinct defensive flavor for the Jets at that No. 9 spot.
Don Banks
CNNSI.com
Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU: It's an easy leap of logic to make, foreseeing a marriage of Mingo's athleticism and edge-rushing talent and Rex Ryan's love for that style of disruptive playmaking. The ex-LSU Tiger has X factor-type potential and pursuit skills, and Mingo is his name. Actually, with a moniker like Barkevious Mingo, this guy's a name player before he even steps foot on an NFL field.
Dane Brulger
NFLDraftScout.com
Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU: The Jets need a lot of help in several areas, mostly on offense, including the quarterback position. But the Jets have struggled to put pressure on the opponents' backfield and Mingo is an ideal fit to stand up as an edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme.
WalterFootball.com
Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU: With tons of holes thanks to a poor cap situation, New York has to take the best player available who makes sense for the roster. The Jets' inability to get to the quarterback needs to be fixed, so Barkevious Mingo makes lots of sense.
The Jets have a ton of options, including Kenny Vaccaro, DeMarcus Milliner (if they trade one of their corners) and Dion Jordan (if they don't like Mingo). With tons of needs, it makes sense for them to trade down
Russ Lande
NationalFootballPost.com
Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon: Calvin Pace is expected tom be released by the Jets and considering their outside pass rush was a big problem in 2012 they must address it. Jordan is more of a long, linear player than a huge, powerful one, but with his explosive initial quickness, fast change of direction ability and natural pass rush skills he is a perfect fit rushing off the edge in the Jets' defense.
Mel Kiper
ESPN.com (Insider)
Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
Vinnie Iyer
Sporting News
Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia: Rex Ryan is desperate to upgrade his pass rush with a versatile, explosive player. His offense has a ton of issues, but Jones can be a special defensive playmaker. Ryan could use him well in a variety of ways.
Todd McShay
ESPN.com (Insider)
Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Rob Rang
The Sports Xchange/CBS.Sports.com
Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: The Jets are the wildcard of the 2013 NFL draft. Clearly they -- like virtually every other team picking in the top 10 -- need more consistency out of their quarterback and pass rush. With three quarterbacks projected ahead of them and the top edge rushers off the board, the Jets could be forced into the best player available strategy, which would make Lotulelei an obvious contender. The Utah standout could combine with recent first round picks Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples to give the Jets the fearsome three-man front head coach Rex Ryan prefers.
Daniel Jeremiah
NFL.com/NFL Network
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: The Jets need explosive players on offense. Patterson is a perfect fit to provide some excitement on the outside. He also provides additional value on special teams, contributing as both a kick and punt returner.
Tony Pauline
Special for USA Today
Chance Warmack, G, Alabama: *Ideally, the Jets would like a pass-rushing linebacker. But Warmack fills a desperate need at guard. He will immediately move to the top of the depth chart in New York.
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