Jets weighing their options at No. 6 in NFL draft

4/23/2008 6:57 PM

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -When the New York Jets sit down in their draft room before the proceedings begin, they'll know that one of the top six players on their board will be available when they go on the clock.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum and his staff still might have some anxious moments while waiting for their turn, with this year's first round shaping up as extremely unpredictable.

``It seems like a pretty fluid situation,'' Tannenbaum said. ``I read the same things that you are reading. We have to be comfortable with six players and that is the part of the process we are finalizing right now. That's the only part of the process we can control: the preparation. There could be trades up, trades back, so we just have to be prepared to have six names we are comfortable with.''

One of those players undoubtedly is Darren McFadden, the game-changing running back from Arkansas who many consider the draft's top overall talent.

``I think he's a fantastic player,'' said Joey Clinkscales, Jets director of college scouting. ``He's explosive, he's fast and he can catch.''

And he can also potentially be a face of the franchise, the sort of offensive weapon the Jets can build around for years - the type of player who keeps defensive coordinators up at night.

The Jets have had several visits with McFadden, and even brought him to New York last week for a night on the town that included watching a boxing match with coach Eric Mangini and other team officials. One strike against McFadden has been some character issues, but the Jets seem satisfied with the information it's collected.

``I will say that we've talked with him,'' Clinkscales said. ``He's a great person to talk to. We've done our homework. If that is the pick that we choose to make, we will be comfortable with that decision.''

McFadden also plays a position New York is particularly well-stocked at with Thomas Jones, a 1,000-yard rusher the last three seasons, the speedy and elusive Leon Washington, and the versatile Jesse Chatman.

But none brings the type of game-changing explosive ability the 6-foot-2, 210-pound McFadden has.

``Primarily, we want to say that the board will dictate what we do,'' Tannenbaum said. ``But I think if you study the evolution since 1993, you at least have to factor in need and the value of the board. In a perfect world, the two will mesh.''

Another intriguing option is Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, generally considered the top player available at that position. New York still has veteran Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens, a second-round pick in 2006 who was shaky in eight starts last season.

``If that opportunity presents itself and we feel like it was the best thing for the team, we are not going to rule out any position heading into this year's draft,'' Tannenbaum said. ``We try to stick to the value of the board as best we can, regardless of position.''

If the Jets do take Ryan, they'll be banking on him being the quarterback of the future - not Clemens - and would basically be admitting they made a mistake taking Clemens so high two years ago.

``I think it's dependent on what happens in the draft,'' Mangini said during the NFL owners meetings earlier this month. ``There's a possibility we could bring someone else in in free agency. We usually carry three and sometimes four in the offseason. Right now, I think it's between Kellen and Chad. You have to wait and see what happens in terms of the draft and free agency.''

Ohio State defensive end-linebacker Vernon Gholston is another strong possibility for the Jets, especially if McFadden is gone. He's a dominant pass-rushing force who would be a perfect fit for New York's 3-4 defense, but the Jets just spent $42 million on free agent Calvin Pace.

``I don't know if they are the same kind of player, but they are both good football players,'' said Terry Bradway, Jets director of player personnel.

New England is thought to also be interested in Gholston at No. 7, so the Jets could sabotage the Patriots' plans in the process.

``It is just about us and what we can control with the sixth pick,'' Tannenbaum said predictably.

The Jets might also target a cornerback to play alongside Darrelle Revis, last year's first-rounder, such as Troy's Leodis McKelvin or Kansas' Aqib Talib. They also need a tall wide receiver such as Indiana's 6-6 James Hardy or Texas' 6-4 Limas Sweed, as well as depth at inside linebacker.

``It's in pencil,'' Tannenbaum jokingly said of the team's list of top players. ``We have our eraser available.''

New York paid over $140 million to fill some of the many holes it had following a dismal four-win season. Because of the spending spree, the Jets can head into the draft focused on taking the player they think is simply the best fit.

``We're going to factor in his upside, his work ethic, his position,'' said Tannenbaum, who also didn't rule out trading down in the first round. ``With that said, we're not taking this pick just in the view of the 2008 season. You hope this player will help us for a long period of time.''