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Mocking the Draft: Who Will the Jets Choose at No. 9?

A Look at Some of the Players Being Slotted for the Jets' No. 9 Pick in Recent Mock Drafts

Yahoo Contributor Network

Jarvis Jones. Tyler Wilson. Dion Jordan. Chance Warmack.

These are just some of the names that have been tossed around as the New York Jets first round draft pick in the upcoming 2013 NFL draft. More than three months away. Before workouts, the NFL Draft Combine, interviews or anything else closely associated with the draft.

Even before the man who is supposedly making the decision has been hired .

That's why I said in a previous article that it's way too early to mock. There's so much in flux right now that you're essentially picking names out of a hat. Most times, though, those names don't work for a variety of reasons.

So to rebuke all those NFL draft insiders, here's the rub on the so-called front-runners to become the first pick in the 2013 NFL draft for your New York Jets.

LB/DE Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Why he's the pick: If I'm picking for the Jets, Jones would be my odds-on favorite. He's quick, he's powerful, he's a beast at getting to the quarterback. If not for a certain senior linebacker at some little independent school in Indiana, he would've been everyone's choice for every defensive award in college.

The rub: There are still eight teams drafting in front of the Jets, many of whom would love a quick, powerful pass rusher from the SEC. Also: he's got spinal stenosis, a degenerative medical condition that affects the spine. High risk, high reward.

QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

Why he's the pick: A strong-armed quarterback who's been lauded for his leadership and toughness, Wilson has been a hot name in a not-so-hot quarterback class. Plus, it's the Jets. It's not as if they have any better option on the roster.

The rub: This is a guy who "led" his team to a 4-8 record this past season, including numerous games against quality opponents where he completely disappeared. There's a reason this is a not-so-hot quarterback class; it flat-out doesn't have a true first round talent, which means every quarterback drafted in the first round this year is a reach.

LB/DE Dion Jordan, Oregon

Why he's the pick: He is this year's "measureables" guy; height, frame, reach, vertical, etc. He can play in both a 4-3 (at end) or 3-4 (at linebacker).

The rub: He just had surgery to repair a torn labrum, which means he probably won't work out while rehabbing. And while his 2012 stats were a little gaudy (five sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss), you can make a case against the competition he played (hello, Pac-12?).

OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

Why he's the pick: An All-America offensive lineman who just won the national championship helping lead a monster rushing attack over a Top 10 defense? Plus the Jets' two starting guards are free agents? This one might seem like a no-brainer.

The rub: Move past the measureables for a second, and some scouts question his ability to block more athletic (read: NFL-caliber) defensive linemen. His technique is also sometimes sloppy. The biggest question: Is he worthy of the #9 pick when there are other offensive linemen in this draft class that grade out almost as favorably?

So: Which one of these front-runners would be your choice? Or who else would you consider?


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