NFL Mock Draft 2014: New York Jets Select Darqueze Dennard

Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

Sometimes teams draft the best player available. Sometimes teams draft a player that fills a pressing need. With Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard still on the board, the New York Jets have a chance to do both.

After a disappointing season, the Jets cut cornerback Antonio Cromartie. With a stacked free agent class at cornerback, the Jets likely assumed they would snatch up someone to upgrade the position. The Jets flirted with free agents Vontae Davis, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Darrelle Revis, but after everything shook out, they found themselves without a date to the dance. The best they were able to get was Dimitri Patterson on a one-year, $3 million deal.

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If this was how the draft played out, the Jets would be thrilled. Darqueze Dennard most likely will not fall to 18 when the draft actually takes place, but if he does the Jets will almost certainly snatch him up. As winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to college football's top defensive back, Dennard has achieved more than enough during his time at Michigan State to warrant a high draft pick. Going to a Rex Ryan coached defense would only help him translate his skills to the pro game.

The Jets have some serious needs on offense, particularly at the wide receiver spot. With a player as talented as Dennard falling this far, and a deep pool of talented wide receivers available in the later rounds, the Jets would not hesitate to instead fill a defensive need with the best player on the board.

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