Jim Z. Rider-USA TODAY Sports
At the 2013 NFL Draft, the New York Jets would probably start doing cartwheels in the war room if Oregon pass rusher Dion Jordan (#96, above) slipped all the way down to their selection, number nine overall in the first round.
The 6’6, 248-lb defensive end/outside linebacker might be arguably the most talented NFL prospect in this year’s draft, and very well could be atop a few teams’ draft boards a week from Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall.
For a team like the Jets who are in the market for a pass rusher early in the draft, Dion Jordan would be just what the doctor ordered, especially for coach Rex Ryan, who might need a strong draft more than anybody in football.
In our Rant Sports 2013 NFL Mock Draft, I could not run the draft card up to the proverbial podium fast enough when I saw Jordan, Ezekial Ansah and Star Lotulelei all available when I was on the clock on the Jets’ behalf.
In my weekly seven-round Jets mock drafts, I’ve envisioned scenarios in which Jordan, Ansah and Lotulelei go to the Jets ninth overall, and I think that’s the exact order I would want to draft any one of those three players.
I’m not a fan of taking a guard in the top ten, so Chance Warmack was never going to be in play for me in this mock draft. Pass rushers Barkevious Mingo, Björn Werner and Tank Carradine were under consideration.
However, I knew I just couldn’t pass up the highest rated player on my entire draft board, a guy in Dion Jordan who I believe would be an absolutely perfect fit for the Jets with his size, speed, athleticism, and versatility.
Jets rookie general manager John Idzik has probably envisioned a thousand different draft day scenarios, but if Dion Jordan is available when the Jets on the clock, you better believe the Jets won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
At No. 10, the Tennessee Titans select…
Jon Presser is www.RantSports.com’s New York Jets Lead Columnist
Follow him on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 and on Google+
