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They say it takes three to five years to accurately judge a draft class, but we're going to do it 24 hours after the fact because that's our job.

For my grades on each individual pick, click here.

Final Grade: B.

Summary: It went pretty much as expected. You knew they were going to address the defense early in the draft, and they did, selecting DE Muhammad Wilkerson and NT Kenrick Ellis in the first and third rounds, respectively. Wide receiver was a need, and the Jets tabbed Jeremy Kerley (fifth) and Scotty McKnight (seventh) -- a pair of slot receivers. GM Mike Tannenbaum always is on the look-out for developmental quarterbacks, which explains Greg McElroy. The only curveball was RB Bilal Powell in the fourth round (another runner?), but the Jets felt there was too much value to ignore him. OK, we'll buy that.

Except for McKnight, who wasn't in Scouts, Inc.'s top 316 players, each player went off the board in the round/area where he was projected. Based on that, you'd have to say the Jets got good value. They didn't address perhaps their biggest need, rush linebacker. They passed on Akeem Ayers, Jabaal Sheard and Brooks Reed to take Wilkerson, but that was the right call. Ayers and Reed, in particular, received a lot of pre-draft hype, but they each have holes in their games. After them, all the good OLBs were gone. In fact, there were no OLBs taken from 74 to 99, which helps explain why they took Ellis at 94.

Best pick: Wilkerson. At 6-4, 315, he has the size to be a two-gapping force in Rex Ryan's defense. He was an outstanding pass rusher at Temple, but there are scouts who wonder how his pass-rushing skills will translate to the NFL. It'll be interesting to see if he's a three-down player. We do know he's a versatile player, with the ability to play DE, DT and maybe NT in certain packages. There was some talk that he could go as high as 18; the Jets got him at 30. Very good value.

Most questionable pick: Ellis. The Jets' top scout said they felt there were only two true nose tackles in the draft -- Ellis and Phil Taylor (chosen 21st). That speaks volumes; Ellis was their last chance to address that need. At No. 94, the Jets felt he was worth the gamble, even with his off-the-field issues, including a pending assault charge. But it's interesting to note that, between picks 30 and 94, a total of six defensive tackles were picked. Six teams with a DT need took a pass on Ellis. He has incredible size (6-5, 340) and intriguing tools, and he plays hard (a lot of nose tackles don't), but he's still a small-school player with risk.

Picks most likely to contribute as rookies: Wilkerson probably won't start, but he will be in the defensive-line rotation. If Brad Smith leaves via free agency, Kerley will be a candidate to step into the kick returner/No. 4 WR role. Ellis, if exonerated, will need time to develop. Powell, McElroy and McKnight will have to wait their turn.

Remaining needs: Outside linebacker and safety. The Jets will be OK at safety if they can re-sign Brodney Pool or Eric Smith, but OLB is a concern. The free-agent market is weak, and the Jets could be restricted by the "Final Four" rules. Tannenbaum may have to make a trade or pick up a player cut by another team.

From a football standpoint, the Jets were so impressed by Hampton NT Kenrick Ellis during the scouting process that they rated him as the 36th player on their draft board, according to VP of college scouting Joey Clinkscales.

The Jets drafted him at the bottom of the third round (94th overall). Based on that, it was a steal. Clinkscales feels there are only two true nose tackles in the draft -- Ellis and Phil Taylor, who was chosen 21st overall by the Browns.

Obviously, Ellis has a lot of off-the-field baggage, which caused him to drop. But Clinkscales raved about his talent, noting that Ellis recorded 94 tackles last season while playing on a high-ankle sprain.

OTHER OPTIONS: Some of the players still on the board when the Jets picked Ellis were DE/OLB Sam Acho (Texas), CB Curtis Brown (Texas), CB Josh Thomas (Buffalo), OLB Chris Carter (Fresno State) and WR Edmund Gates (Abilene Christian).

DEE-FENSE: Bucking the recent trend, the Jets have picked two defensive players -- Ellis and DE Muhammad Wilkerson, their first-round choice. That's one more than they picked in the first two drafts under Rex Ryan.

NO TWO: The Jets didn't have a second-round pick; it was traded to the Chargers last offseason for CB Antonio Cromartie. When GM Mike Tannenbaum settled in for his post-draft news conference late Friday night, his opening statement went like this:

"To recap the day, our first guy: One year of college football ... great workout ... great ball skills ... great man-to-man skills ... will help in the return game ..."

Huh? Was this a 335-pound nose tackle? No, Tannenbaum was giving a scouting report on Cromartie. It was his way of reminding everyone, with some humor, that the Jets were happy with the Cromartie trade for a second-rounder.

No one really laughed, but it was a weary group of writers at 11 p.m.

DAY 3 PREVIEW: The Jets have one pick in each of the following rounds -- fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. They will be looking for an offensive lineman, a receiver, an outside linebacker and a safety.

Get ready for the most unusual NFL Draft in history. If you need me to explain the reasons, you're in the wrong place. Here are my fearless predictions for the first round:

1. CAROLINA -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
My take: Not a huge fan, but the Panthers are desperate for a quarterback and need to sell tickets.

2. DENVER -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
My take: Boss Elway's reasoning: I'll pick the defensive player I'd least want to see if I were playing QB.

3. BUFFALO -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
My take: The Bills need to draft an entire defense, but Dareus will do for starters.

4. CINCINNATI -- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
My take: Best player available and best way to send a message to disgruntled QB Carson Palmer: You're stuck with us.

5. ARIZONA -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
My take: Let's face it, the Cards are going to trade for a QB, probably Kevin Kolb.

6. CLEVELAND -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
My take: Here's the Browns' philosophy: Let's take the guy we know Eric Mangini would never pick.

7. SAN FRANCISCO -- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
My take: A lot of people have QB Blaine Gabbert going here, but Quinn is a difference maker.

8. TENNESSEE -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
My take: At last, the Titans achieve closure to the Vince Young era. Frankly, I think Gabbert is over-rated.

9. DALLAS -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
My take: The run on offensive linemen starts here. The Cowboys get a good one.

10. WASHINGTON -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
My take: Coach Shanahan picks up Albert Haynesworth Lite. He hopes Fairley can keep his hands to himself.

11. HOUSTON -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
My take: Team's play-by-play announcer will dread this pick, but the Texans need defensive help for Coach Wade.

12. MINNESOTA -- Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
My take: Brett Favre makes this pick from the ranch in Mississippi -- via text, of course.

13. DETROIT -- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
My take: The Lions hope to pick up Kramer, Jerry and Elaine in the later rounds.

14. ST. LOUIS -- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
My take: Coach Spags scored last year with QB Sam Bradford; now he works on the defense.

15. MIAMI -- Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida
My take: Attention Giants followers: Your team never had any intention of picking Pouncey. Lots of misguided speculation out there.

16. JACKSONVILLE -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
My take: Every mock draft seems to have Kerrigan here -- which, of course, makes you wonder.

17. NEW ENGLAND -- Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
My take: The first of 43 draft picks for Bill (Rings) Belichick. Jordan is his kind of player.

18. SAN DIEGO -- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
My take: The Turners also consider "Who?" and "I don't know," but settle for Watt.

19. NEW YORK GIANTS -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
My take: It's Carimi or OT Nate Solder, with RB Mark Ingram and Liuget (if available) in the mix.

20. TAMPA BAY -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
My take: Yeah, the knee is an issue, but the Raheems figure the upside is too high to take a pass.

21. KANSAS CITY -- Danny Watkins, T/G, Baylor
My take: A classic Scott Pioli pick -- not sexy, but he gets a tough, smart, hardcore football player.

22. INDIANAPOLIS -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
My take: This is Peyton Manning insurance. You have to protect the franchise's blind side.

23. PHILADELPHIA -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
My take: Here comes trouble -- a train wreck waiting to happen, but Eagles are seduced by his talent.

24. NEW ORLEANS -- Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
My take: There's a groan in the Jets' war room. He would've been a nice fit in Rex Ryan's defense.

25. SEATTLE -- Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
My take: This is risky. Austin hasn't played in a year and there are questions about his attitude.

26. BALTIMORE -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
My take: Wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens trade out of this spot. If they stay, it could be Wilkerson or DE Cam Heyward.

27. ATLANTA -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
My take: Clayborn is a top talent, but has slipped because of a nerve condition in his shoulder. Good value here.

28. NEW ENGLAND -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
My take: Great value for the Belichicks. Bad news for the Jets because they'll have a new running back to worry about.

29. CHICAGO -- Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
My take: Baldwin is a Plaxico-type player --huge target with mad skills. But also comes with a diva attitude.

30. NEW YORK JETS -- Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
My take: If they don't trade down, the Jets settle for the best-available outside linebacker. Brooks Reed also a consideration.

31. PITTSBURGH -- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
My take: The Steelers' secondary, still smarting from the Super Bowl, gets some much-needed help.

32. GREEN BAY -- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
My take: DE Cullen Jenkins is a free agent. Heyward would step in nicely on an already stacked defense.

Could Trader Mike become Trader-Down Mike? It's possible.

The Jets, picking 30th in the first round of Thursday night's NFL Draft, have let it be known in league circles that they're willing to move down, an executive from another team said Wednesday night.

"I think they're hoping for a quarterback-desperate team from the top of the second to call them," said the executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Makes some sense.

If GM Mike Tannenbaum's primary targets are gone when they're on the clock (we're thinking NT Phil Taylor and OLB Akeem Ayers), they could look to bail out and recoup a middle-round pick or two. That would help offset the loss of their second-round pick, which went to the Chargers last year in the Antonio Cromartie trade.

The top of round 2 is filled with teams looking for a quarterback --the Bills (34), Bengals (35), Cardinals (38), Titans (39) and Redskins (41). The Jets have made deals in the past with the Cards and Redskins, so ...

The Jets wouldn't finalize a deal until they're on the clock, when they see what their draft board looks like.

We started this more than a month ago -- our five-man watch list for the Jets -- and here we are on draft eve. This is our final list, realistic possibilities for the Jets at No. 30 (based on information culled from the scouting community and people familiar with the Jets' thinking).

The list doesn't include OLB Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) or OT Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), both of whom would be strong considerations if they unexpectedly fell to the bottom of the first round. The list also doesn't have WR Jon Baldwin (Pitt), who would be my sleeper pick for the Jets.

Here's the Fab 5:

• Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor, 6-3, 334 -- The big fella would fill a need and he has late-1, early-2 value, according to the teams I've talked to. (ESPN's Scouts, Inc. rates him as the 26th prospect in the draft.) Taylor has weight and foot issues, but nothing that should scare teams away at the bottom of the first round. There's a pretty good chance he'll still be on the board for the Jets.

• Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona, 6-2 1/2, 263 -- The Jets absolutely love his motor and character. He's No. 27 in the Scouts, Inc. rankings. A couple of concerns: He has very little experience at linebacker (he was the RDE in Arizona's defense) and he inflated his stock with strong post-season workouts. His 10-yard split (1.54 seconds) made him a lot of money. If the Jets think they can get him by trading down, they could lose him to the Packers (No. 32).

• Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA, 6-2 1/2, 254 -- Ayers' advantage over Reed is that he has been trained as an OLB. In fact, he had only 100 snaps last season as a rusher from the down position, one scout told me. Ayers' 40 time at the combine (4.8) was a disappointment, but he plays faster than his stopwatch time, according to scouts. The concern is that he's too light and won't be able to set the edge as a perimeter player on running downs. Ayers, ranked No. 34 by Scouts, Inc., should be available at 30.

• Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple, 6-4, 315 -- It doesn't make a whole lot of sense for a team that plays a 3-4 defense to take a 5-technique end in the first round ... unless the team thinks he can play more than one position and can play all three downs. Wilkerson has that kind of versatility, the ability to slide inside in the nickel and rush as a DT. Obviously, the level of competition in college is a concern, but the Linden, N.J., product has the size and athleticism to develop into a starting player. His stock is all over the map. Wilkerson, ranked No. 24 by Scouts, Inc., could go anywhere from 18 (Chargers) to 32 (Packers).

• Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB, Pitt, 6-3, 264 -- Here's a name you haven't seen linked to the Jets. Sheard is similar to Reed in that he played DE in college and would have to make the conversion to OLB, but he's bigger than Reed and may have more athleticism. Sheard was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and he plays with the tenacity you want in a pass rusher. He was involved in an off-campus assault last summer -- a possible red flag. Sheard has high-2 value, so he probably would be on the board if the Jets decided to trade down. He's ranked No. 35 by Scouts, Inc.

Leading up to the April 28-30 NFL draft, ESPNNewYork.com is providing profiles of prospects being considered by the Jets with the 30th overall pick. Previously, UCLA S Rahim Moore, Baylor NT Phil Taylor, Ohio State DE Cam Heyward, UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers, Georgia OLB Justin Houston and Colorado CB Jimmy Smith were featured.

Under the Microscope: Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona

• Reed's stock has been rising since the combine, where he worked out as a defensive lineman and tested well across the board. At 6-2 1/2, 263 pounds, he ran the 40 in 4.65 seconds, faster than 18 of the 24 linebackers. What really jumped out was his 10-yard split -- 1.54 seconds, best among the DLM. It was a smidge quicker than Von Miller (1.57), regarded as the best edge rusher in the draft and a likely top-5 pick.

• Why should we care about a 10-yard split? For a pass rusher, it's critical. It reflects the player's burst and explosiveness, which probably is more important than a 40 time. At the same time, you don't want to get too caught up in workout numbers. The Jets succumbed to that in 2008 and ended up with Vernon Gholston.

• Reed finished with good, not great production at Arizona. In 34 starts over three seasons, he produced 15 sacks and 20 tackles-for-loss. In 2009, he missed five starts with a severe ankle sprain. Interestingly, Reed began his career as a 215-pound H-Back.

• The story with Reed is his motor: He's relentless. Even a casual fan can see that Reed plays with all-out intensity. That goes a long way with Rex Ryan, who constantly preaches to his players, "Play like a Jet." Well, Reed would play like a Jet.

• Check out this highlight video of Reed. Around the one-minute mark, Reed delivers a pretty good lick on a familiar quarterback -- Mark Sanchez, who coughs up the ball. It's the Arizona-USC game from 2008.

• Reed is drawing a lot of Clay Matthews comparisons because of his shoulder-length blond hair. This is what one GM told me about Reed, "He plays a little like Matthews. Clay Matthews has helped this kid. He's got a great motor and excellent speed. The 3-4 teams are starting to get on this guy. I think he's a first-round pick or a high second."

• Reed was predominantly a defensive end in college, lining up almost exclusively wide on the right side. There's always risk when projecting a DE to OLB in a 3-4 scheme, but the GM said, "He started to play up late in the season and looked good. He has the ability to do it. He was exceptionally fast." He reportedly impressed in linebacker drills at the Senior Bowl.

• One of the knocks on Reed is that he's stiff in the hips and doesn't bend well. He has virtually no experience in pass coverage, but the "rush" linebacker in the Jets' scheme drops only about 15 percent of the time, according to the team.

• The Jets have a significant need at OLB, especially with Bryan Thomas entering the final year of his contract. They need a player who can come in as a rookie and contribute as a nickel pass rusher while learning a role in the base defense. Reed will give 100 percent, no doubt; the question is whether he can play to his eye-catching workout numbers.

Russ Lande of The Sporting News cranks out a full mock draft -- all seven rounds. Here's what he has for the Jets:

Round 1: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
Round 3: Jarriel King, OT, South Carolina
Round 4: Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
Round 5: Lazarius Levingston, DE, LSU
Round 6: Byron Maxwell, CB, Clemson
Round 7: Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M

My analysis: I can't disagree with the specific positions that are addressed and when they are addressed, although I think King would be a reach in the third. He's regarded as an underachiever and has a long list of off-the-field transgressions. I like Beal. He was a defensive end in college, but produced good numbers and could project as an OLB. At 6-3 1/2, 292, Levingston has the size to be a two-gap DE in the Jets' scheme. Not much of a pass rusher, but he could be solid against the run. Maxwell exels in press coverage, which makes him a fit in the scheme. It wouldn't shock me if the Jets draft a developmental quarterback. Johnson (6-5, 251) is a "coach-on-the-field" type of player, meaning he has the intangibles to be a backup. The two positions missing are safety and wide receiver, two need areas.

Todd McShay's latest mock draft is up on ESPN.com (Insider content), and -- no surprise -- he has the Jets selecting Baylor NT Phil Taylor at No. 30. In this mock, McShay has Arizona DE/OLB Brooks Reed off the board at 21 to the Chiefs. Another player on the Jets' radar, UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers, lasts to 32 for the Packers.

McShay's take, with different scenarios:

Scenario 1: Taylor is the kind of massive nose tackle (334 pounds) who can eat up space and be a centerpiece in New York's 3-4 defense.

Scenario 2: Take the best available pass-rusher, whether that's Reed or Georgia's Justin Houston, or move back and target someone like (Pitt's Jabaal) Sheard.

Scenario 3: If (Iowa's Adrian) Clayborn or (Ohio State's Cam) Heyward is available upgrading at the 5-technique is also an option.

MY ANALYSIS: I agree with scenario 1. In scenario 2, I think Houston would be a poor choice. Scouts tell me he's a second-round prospect due, in large part, to his hot and cold motor. Sheard could be a sleeper for the Jets. He was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and has the measurables to play OLB. Most projections, though, have him in the second round. I'm not buying scenario 3. Clayborn is a bad fit in the 3-4, and his shoulder condition is a concern. Heyward is a solid player, but I can't see the Jets investing a first-round pick on a 5-technique that would only be a first- and second-down run stuffer.

It's always hard to separate the smoke from the truth at pre-draft press conferences, but it sounds like the Jets are OK with Phil Taylor's feet.

"He probably does have some feet issues, but you're talking about a guy who was once 380 pounds that's 335 pounds now," vice president of college scouting Joey Clinkscales said Thursday. "Phil is a good player. He's a two-gap nose guard, he's strong, he's physical ... He's a good football player.

"I don't think that in the long term, if you're looking throughout a contract, that his feet will be a big issue. You're looking for a guy to help now and he -- and many others -- have a chance to do that."

Taylor is a trendy pick for the Jets at No. 30. He reportedly has a painful, inoperable condition in both feet that might concern some teams; one report said he has bones growing together in each foot -- although it never caused him to miss any times in two seasons at Baylor.

Based on what Clinkscales said, the Jets haven't downgraded Taylor because of his feet. But, of course, we'll find out for sure if he's still on the board next Thursday night when the Jets are on the clock.

SEARCHING FOR A PASS RUSHER: Clinkscales, GM Mike Tannenbaum and senior personnel adviser Terry Bradway didn't discuss too many individual players at the press conference, but one issue that came up was the search for a pass rusher. Clinkscales was asked about Arizona DE/OLB Brooks Reed, and whether he'd be hesitant to pull the trigger on a player that had to make the conversion from end to outside linebacker. They tried it in 2008 with Vernon Gholston, and look how that turned out.

"The first thing we're looking for is, can he rush the passer?" Clinkscales said. "In the defense we want to play, Rex (Ryan) wants a guy that can rush the passer. For a rush linebacker, dropping into coverage is only 15 percent of what he does. He needs to be smart. He needs to have good hands use. He needs to have quick feet. He needs to have a demeanor to be hungry to get the quarterback."

Clinkscales continued, "Projections are always tough, but when you see a guy line up at a certain position it's not a huge projection. A guy like Brooks, or any other guy that might be a little undersized, hopefully you've seen him play linebacker a little bit or you see the opportunity to do a lot of different things with him."

At Arizona, Reed was predominantly a down lineman, but a scout from another team told me he stood up as a linebacker this past season in the Arizona State game and played well in that role.

INSIDE SCOUTING: Bradway provided these stats on the scouting process: The Jets' scouts wrote 5,552 reports on prospects, they scouted a total of 1,259 players, they interviewed more than 300 players and they traveled to 253 schools.

A story broke over the weekend, reported by CBSSports.com, saying Baylor NT Phil Taylor has been red-flagged by some teams because of an inoperable condition in his feet. According to the report, the 334-pound Taylor has bones growing together in both feet, causing considerable pain.

Taylor could be in play for the Jets, who own the 30th pick. Teams have been known to put out misinformation on prospects, so I checked with a general manager (not Mike Tannenbaum). The GM, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Taylor's condition "is not acute." He said Taylor wears orthotic supports in his shoes and tends to walk on the side of his feet, but the GM added that it's not serious enough to warrant dropping him on the draft board.

That's one team's opinion. You might get 32 different opinions on Taylor's feet. Here's a fact: Taylor has started 25 games the last two seasons, missing a start in 2009 due to a turf-toe injury. It's unclear if the turf toe was related to the so-called condition.

LATEST BUZZ: The names I'm hearing for the Jets at No. 30 are Taylor, UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers and Arizona OLB Brooks Reed. There's always the possibility of a player unexpectedly tumbling to 30, like Temple DE Muhammad Wilkerson. In fact, Sports Illustrated's Peter King has the Jets taking Wilkerson in his mock draft, saying that Rex Ryan envisions Wilkerson as a Haloti Ngata-type player in terms of versatility on the defensive line. If Ryan could get a Ngata-esque player -- remember, he coached him in Baltimore -- he'd sign up in a nanosecond.

KIPER SAYS: ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper had some interesting comments Wednesday on Colorado CB Jimmy Smith, who apparently has rehabilitated his image and is rising up draft boards. At Colorado, Smith had two alcohol-related arrests and flunked at least one drug test for marijuana.

Kiper said Smith's off-the-field issues "are not as big a deal as people thought it might be ... He has shot way up ... The teams I've spoken to feel very comfortable about Jimmy Smith. Talent-wise, it's a no-brainer. He's a top-10 guy."

Kiper thinks Smith could go as high to the Lions at No. 13. It appears there's little chance of him slipping to 30. If somehow he did, I think Ryan would pound the table for him.

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE: On Wednesday, Mike Mayock, of the NFL Network, offered his take on the Jets' options at 30.

"I think there are three guys you have to look at there -- Akeem Ayers, (Georgia's) Justin Houston and Brooks Reed. I'm not Justin Houston guy, just on work ethic and hustle. I think he’s a gifted kid, but I don't see it on tape. Ayers, you see it sometomes, and let’s face it, Rex is pretty opinionated as to his ability to motivate kids. This kid has got some ability, you can see it on tape. He’s got edge-rush ability, he fits them from a scheme perspective. Reed's got a high motor. I think he’s more of second-round pick, but when you're drafting at end of first round, he’s a guy you want in your back pocket. So, yes, I think Reed is in play."

Leading up to the April 28-30 NFL draft, ESPNNewYork.com is providing profiles of prospects being considered by the Jets with the 30th overall pick. Previously, UCLA S Rahim Moore, Baylor NT Phil Taylor, Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward, UCLA LB Akeem Ayers and Georgia LB Justin Houston were featured.

Under the Microscope: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

• Smith is a first-round talent with fifth-round baggage. If he slips to 30, it will present the Jets with a tough, multi-pronged decision. Conventional wisdom says they wouldn't take a cornerback two years in a row, but Rex Ryan isn't a conventional coach. He needs three or four starting-caliber cornerbacks to run his defensive scheme, and he knows that Antonio Cromartie is a free agent and that Kyle Wilson, last year's No. 1, is a question mark.

• Let's get to the red flags. At Colorado, Smith was arrested twice for under-age drinking and tested positive in 2007 for marijuana, according to the Denver Post. Other media outlets have reported that Smith failed four drug tests in college. (This is bringing back memories of the Warren Sapp situation in 1995, not a good memory for Jets fans.) Smith has a "posse of hangers-on, an inflated opinion of himself and thinks he already has arrived," according to Pro Football Weekly.

• Smith was questioned by reporters at the scouting combine about this transgressions. On the positive drug test, he said, "I was young and dumb, like any other college student at the time." On the drinking, he said, "There were small things that happened when I was younger. It wasn't like, 'Oh, my God, he's fighting or he's drunk.' I'm not worried about it."

• According to various reports, Smith has done a credible job during the pre-draft process of convincing teams that his problems are in the past, and that he's looking to leave his "posse" behind and start fresh in a new city. Yet NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock warns, "I wouldn't touch him in the first round." The Eagles (No. 23 overall) and Ravens (No. 26) are thought to be interested in Smith.

• Smith is rated the 28th-best prospect by Scouts, Inc., the third-best cornerback.

• The dude can play. At 6-2, 211, Smith has a Cromartie-like frame. He has everything to be a fantastic press corner -- speed (4.4s), length and loose hips. He started the last two seasons at right cornerback and was rarely tested. He faced Georgia WR A.J. Green, arguably the best in the draft, and only two balls were thrown to him -- both incompletions.

• Smith on Smith: "I'm a shutdown corner." He said he has better ball skills than Nnamdi Asomugha. A little humility might be in order, don't you think?

• Greg Cosell, a talent evaluator for the NFL Network, said Smith's "attitude, loose hips and smooth transitions" remind him of Darrelle Revis. He called Smith "the most confident press-man corner in this draft."

• Smith might have some Revis traits, but no one ever questioned Revis' work ethic or his off-the-field character. This would be a risk-reward pick for the Jets, who aren't afraid to take chances. Ryan believes he can coach anyone, and he'd be confident his veteran leaders could keep Smith in line, but it's buyer beware. If the top pass rushers and nose tackles are gone, and Smith still is on the board, it'll be late-night drama on Day 1 of the draft.

For weeks, the Jets have been linked in pre-draft speculation to mammoth Baylor NT Phil Taylor, but now comes word that Taylor has a foot condition that may cause him to drop.

Taylor's MRI exams at the scouting combine reveal that he has bones growing together in both feet, according to a report by Rob Rang of CBSSports.com. The condition, according to the report, is inoperable. Taylor can play, but it's a pain-tolerance issue. Because of his size (334 pounds), this has to be a concern.

Taylor played 44 games in college, including 13 starts last season for Baylor, so it obviously wasn't a debilitating injury.

The Jets have been known to take chances on players with pre-existing conditions. In 2003, they used the fourth overall pick on DT Dewayne Robertson, who had a degenerative condition (no cartilage) in one knee. He never missed any games for the Jets, but he never became the player they envisioned. In 2004, the Jets chose LB Jonathan Vilma 12th overall even though he had a degenerative bone condition in one knee -- ultimately requiring surgery in 2005. He was traded to the Saints and has become a top linebacker.

Here goes nothing:

1. Carolina -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
4. Cincinnati -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
5. Arizona -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland -- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco -- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
8. Tennessee -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
10. Washington -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
11. Houston -- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
12. Minnesota -- Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
13. Detroit -- Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
14. St. Louis -- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
15. Miami -- Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida
16. Jacksonville -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
17. New England -- Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Purdue
18. San Diego -- Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
19. New York Giants -- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
20. Tampa Bay -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
21. Kansas City -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
22. Indianapolis -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
23. Philadelphia -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. New Orleans -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
25. Seattle -- Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
26. Baltimore -- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
27. Atlanta -- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
28. New England -- Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
29. Chicago -- Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
30. New York Jets -- Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
31. Pittsburgh -- Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
32. Green Bay -- Aaron Williams, DB, Texas

With less than two weeks before the NFL draft, the Jets have brought 25 prospects for visits to their Florham Park facility, according to team announcements. Of the two dozen, 16 are defensive players, an indication this could be a defensive-minded draft -- which, of course, would shock no one.

More visitors could be on the way. Each team is allowed 30 non-local visits.

UPDATE: DT Corey Liuget (Illinois) also visited, sources said. His name wasn't on the list released by the Jets.

Here's a breakdown by position (potential first rounders are linked):

Running back: Bilal Powell (Louisville)

Wide receiver: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), Edmond Gates (Abilene Christian), Denarius Moore (Tennessee),

Tight end: Martell Webb (Michigan),

Offensive tackle: Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Ray Dominguez (Arkansas), Jah Reid (Central Florida),

Center: Brandon Fusco (Slippery Rock)

Defensive tackle: Phil Taylor (Baylor), Kendrick Ellis (Hampton), Sione Fua (Stanford)

Defensive end: Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple).

Outside linebacker: Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Akeem Ayers (UCLA), Justin Houston (Georgia), Sam Acho (Texas), Dontay Moch (Nevada)

Inside linebacker: Martez Wilson (Illinois), Elijah "Peanut" Joseph (Temple), Jeff Tarpinian (Iowa)

Safety: Jaiquawn Jarrett (Temple),

Cornerback: Jimmy Smith (Colorado), Chykie Brown (Texas), Josh Thomas (Buffalo),

Starting Monday, the Jets will open their doors to potential draft picks.

Baylor NT Phil Taylor and Temple DE/DT Muhammad Wilkerson, both of whom are projected first-round picks in the upcoming draft, will visit the Jets' Florham Park facility Monday, according to NewYorkJets.com.

By rule, each team is allowed to visit with up to 30 prospects at their facility. That number doesn't include prospects from the team's metropolitan area. In fact, the Jets will host two locals Monday -- Temple S Jaiquawn Jarrett (Ft. Hamilton HS, Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Rutgers S Joe Lefeged. Jarrett could be a third-round possibility for the Jets. Actually, Wilkerson also counts as a local because he's from Linden, N.J.

Other non-locals in Monday: Arkansas T/G Ray Dominguez, Slippery Rock C Brandon Fusco and Central Florida OT Jah Reid. All three are regarded as mid- to late-round prospects.

Other potential first-rounders reportedly will visit in the coming days, including Purdue DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan, Georgia DE/OLB Justin Houston and Colorado CB Jimmy Smith.

What should we read into these visits? Teams bring in players for a variety of reasons, including medical checks, interviews, workouts and chalktalk sessions to test their football IQ. Sometimes it's just a ruse, as teams will feign interest in a player in an attempt to mask their intentions. The fine art of deception is very much part of the draft process.