The New York Jets have many needs entering the 2013 NFL Draft and could take a number of different prospects with the No. 9 overall pick. Jets head coach Rex Ryan is "smitten" with LSU's Barkevious Mingo, according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King -- and Mingo could be New York's pick in the first round.
NFL Draft 2013: Rex Ryan ‘smitten’ with Barkevious Mingo
Rex Ryan is reportedly smitten with Barkevious Mingo and the Jets could be targeting the former LSU defensive end with the No. 9 overall pick.
Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Mingo might not be available for the Jets at No. 9 overall. In SB Nation's latest mock draft, the Arizona Cardinals are projected to take the LSU DE/OLB with the No. 7 overall pick. The Jets are projected to select former West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin with the No. 9 overall pick, and then former Alabama guard Chance Warmack with the No. 13 pick -- assuming New York trades Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay in exchange for the Buccaneers' first-round pick.
SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn compared Mingo to Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware in Mingo's scouting report, calling Mingo's upside "through the roof," and says Mingo "more than warrants a top-ten pick."
Mingo’s numbers were underwhelming in 2012, as the former LSU defensive end recorded 38 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Despite only recording 4.5 sacks, Fairburn believes that Mingo generated plenty of pass rush and that the sack total simply doesn’t tell the story.
It’s not a surprise that Rex Ryan is smitten with Mingo, as most coaches in the NFL probably are. It’s feasible, however, that Mingo could slip to No. 9, and if he does, the Jets could pounce on him.
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