Brandt’s Latest Mock Draft: Jets Trade Up

November 3, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) is sacked by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dee Milliner (28) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

In NFL analyst Gil Brandt’s latest mock draft, he has the Jets trading their ninth overall pick and a later pick to the Raiders in return for the third pick of the NFL draft. With this pick, it is projected that the Jets draft Dee Milliner, who is almost definitely the best cornerback in the draft. Later on in Brandt’s draft, he has the Jets selecting Barkevious Mingo with the 13th overall pick. If this were to happen, it would be a dream come true for Jets fans.

Think about it. The two gaping holes in the Jets’ roster are their defensive front and their cornerbacks, mainly due to the recent trade sending the Jets’ best talent in Revis to Tampa. Drafting Dee Milliner would be a huge help to the Jets’ depleted secondary after having lost starters Darrelle Revis, Laron Landry, and Yeremiah Bell this offseason. Milliner’s talent is incredible and some experts have even described him as “the next Revis.” These are some pretty big shoes to fill, but Milliner and Cromartie can possibly evolve into another deadly cornerback duo for the Jets.

Although Brandt has the Jets taking Milliner with the Raider’s pick, Oakland may not want to risk their main prospect Sharrif Floyd getting taken. The Eagles may be a more plausible option for the trade because it is well known that they are considering drafting Geno Smith and they would like to get him as far down in the draft as they can. There is little chance that Geno is taken before the ninth or even the thirteenth pick, and the Eagle’s would most likely be willing to trade down.

However, it is the second part of Brandt’s mock draft that seems a bit implausible. The odds of Barkevious Mingo remaining available at the thirteenth pick are very slim. Brandt has Ziggy Ansah going number two to the Jags, Dion Jordan going number six to the Browns, and Barkevious remaining available until the thirteenth pick for the Jets. Although this would be a fantastic for the Jets, the probability of this happening is not very high. A more realistic outcome would be the Jags draft Dion Jordan, the Browns draft Barkevious Mingo, and the Jets draft Ziggy Ansah. Personally, I would much rather have Mingo than Ansah, but only time will tell which one turns out better. But also, it is possible that if this trade up were to occur the Titans could draft Ziggy/Barkevious, leaving the Jets with no dominant pass rusher to select. This would be devastating to the Jets’ defense, which is why it would be safer if the Jets traded their thirteenth pick away rather than the ninth pick, just to ensure that at least one of the big three pass-rushers are available.

There is no denying that a trade up would be beneficial to the Jets, and if they have the guts and bargaining skills to pull off the trade it would be monumental. Whether it be with Oakland as Brandt predicted or with Philadelphia, it would be phenomenal to ensure that the Jets draft Milliner before a team like Detroit or Cleveland snatches him up. Although there are some flaws in this plan, which include the loss of a later draft pick in such a deep draft, the trade would help solidify their number two cornerback slot and prevent it from going to Kyle Wilson.

As we all anticipate what will happen when Thursday night comes around, don’t be surprised if you hear Roger Goodell mention the Jets a little bit earlier than at the ninth pick.