2011 NFL Mock Draft Says New York Jets Rock Up With Baylor’s Phil Taylor in NFL Draft

The New York Jets may have seen their short window for Super Bowl success close last season, but they will be first to tell different.

Coach Rex Ryan and his team truly believes they have what it takes year in and year out and this year will be the ultimate test.

New York is slated to lose a lot of talent in free agency and they need to make some tough decisions on veterans like LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor, Antonio Cromartie and Braylon Edwards.

Although Santonio Holmes is scheduled for free agency I would be shocked if they did not re-sign him.

Offensively they could be looking for a wide receiver, but I would expect to see them focus on defense.

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Safety is a position of need, as is nose tackle.

They would ideally like to get their hands on a pass rusher as well, but I am not sure if the value is there for them in this scenario.

Thus, the battle for this pick comes down to Justin Houston of Georiga, Akeem Ayers of UCLA and Baylor’s Phil Taylor.

If it was me picking, I would take Ayers in a minute, but I would consider Taylor for the first 30 seconds of that minute.

The big man can come in and give the Jets’ linebackers freedom to make plays at the second level and also gives them a bit more penetration than normal from a nose.

He is the best this draft has to offer at the position and they can find a pass rusher later.

(**)—Indicates trade