Jets Needs: Threesome Not Too Sexy, So QB At 17?

[SoFlaJets]

Pete Prisco

New coach Rex Ryan takes over a team that was a major disappointment last season as they dealt with the Brett Favre fiasco.

Ryan brings a feisty attitude to the Jets, almost sounding ****y when he talks about his team's plans to win big. He expects it.

Vernon Gholston becomes a key after a quiet rookie season. (US Presswire)

To make that a reality, the quarterback position has to be fixed. Favre retired -- thankfully for the Jets -- and that leaves a three-man competition right now.

Those three are Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff and Erik Ainge. Of the three, Clemens is the only one with starting experience. So who's the favorite right now?

"If you ask the organization, it's probably split right down the middle, who they think can do it," Ryan said. "And you've got Erik Ainge. He's the dark horse. Maybe he doesn't get the reps of the other two guys, but he's definitely going to get an opportunity as well. It's definitely an open competition."

It may include one more.

The Jets, who pick 17th in the first round, will likely consider a quarterback. They could see USC's Mark Sanchez on the board. Or they could take Kansas State's Josh Freeman.

If they pass, a veteran quarterback could be signed later. Ryan has a defensive background, so the Jets could choose to use the pick on that side of the ball. Or they could go receiver.

But if they don't fix the quarterback position, none of the other stuff will matter.

QB: They have three young passers in Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff and 2008 draft pick Eric Ainge. Clemens will go into the season as the guy with the most experience, but he is far from set as the starter. Ratliff is raw, but he has talent. Ainge played well in college, but he has to show he can handle the pressures of the NFL.

Jets Draft Needs

POS Meter Description

QB

Biggest need

RB

Needs depth

WR

Needs starter

TE

Needs depth

OL

Needs depth

DL

Needs depth

LB

Needs depth

DB

Needs depth

RB: Thomas Jones had a good season for the Jets in 2008, earning a Pro Bowl berth. He is set as the starter. Leon Washington is the third-down back who is coming off his best season. The depth after those two isn't much and with Jones now 30, they could use help.

WR: The team decided to part ways with Laveranues Coles, leaving Jerricho Cotchery and Chansi Stuckey as the top two receivers. That isn't great. They need to get a big-play receiver in this draft, maybe even in the first round. They have some decent young players with potential in Brad Smith and David Clowney, but there isn't enough here to scare a defense.

TE: Dustin Keller, a first-round pick last year, emerged as a good receiver as a rookie. He will only get better. But he isn't a great blocker. They lost Chris Baker to the Patriots, so they need a tight end who can seal the edge.

OL: The Jets return all five starters from a line that played well in 2008. Center Nick Mangold is the best of the group. The other four are all above average, although left guard Alan Faneca is getting up in years. There isn't much depth at all behind the five starters, so that's a concern.

DL: The addition of Kris Jenkins last year from Carolina really stabilized the front. He was a force inside. He will be the key to the Rex Ryan 3-4 scheme. Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman are decent starters next to him. The depth is full of young players who could use some help.

LB: The addition of Bart Scott to play next to David Harris inside gives the Jets two good players to key the defense. Both can get to the football. The key for the defense will be how well Vernon Gholston, last year's first-round pick develops. He was a disappointment last season. There isn't much in terms of depth.

Secondary: An emerging star, Darrelle Revis is one of the league's best cover players. The other spot will be a battle between Dwight Lowery, who started some as a rookie, and veteran Lito Sheppard, who came over in a trade from Philly. The loser is the nickel corner. The safeties are Kerry Rhodes and Jim Leonhard, who came over from Baltimore. Leonhard lacks great range, but he played well for Ryan last season. Eric Smith offers depth.