SDOGO

*note-printed before the March 5th trade for Thomas Jones*

An in-depth look at the Jets' needs heading into the 2007 draft:

1. Defensive end. The Jets have one good end, Shaun Ellis, which makes this a huge need. Kimo von Oelhoffen, last season's starting right end, is 36 and better suited to be a backup. The Jets need an athletic, wide-bodied end who can fill two gaps in their 3-4 scheme. Some pass-rushing ability also would be nice because the team relied too much on blitzing to generate pressure. Nebraska's Adam Carriker is a possibility with the 25th overall pick or with the early second-round pick the team got from the Redskins. The team is so thin at the position, it wouldn't be a surprise if it drafted two ends before the end of Day 1.

2. Cornerback. Andre Dyson is the team's only starting-caliber cornerback. There are questions about the others: Justin Miller is inconsistent, Drew Coleman isn't ready for a full-time role, David Barrett could be a cap casualty and Hank Poteat was a stopgap. The Jets got burned on blitzes because their corners couldn't hold up in single coverage, so they could opt for Syracuse's Tanard Jackson or Fresno State's Marcus McCauley in the first round or with one of their second-round picks (37th and 59th overall).

3. Running back. The Jets can wait until Day 2 to take a running back but only if they think tiny but talented Leon Washington can be their feature back. If they deem Washington too small to take the pounding of an every-down back, the position becomes a Day 1 priority. Kevan Barlow was a cap casualty and Cedric Houston is a backup. California's Marshawn Lynch would be a great fit but probably won't fall out of the first round. Alabama's Kenneth Darby provides similar size and speed to Lynch and is more likely to be around in Round 2.

4. Nose tackle. Undersized Dewayne Robertson adjusted nicely to the position, but he's not a classic 3-4 nose tackle. The team had to adjust schemes to fit his strengths, and if he's moved to end, nose tackle will become a higher priority. The run defense was poor, and the team needs a wide body to keep blockers off undersized inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma. The problem: There aren't many good two-gap players in this draft who will be available when the team selects in Round 1.

5. Offensive tackle. The team needs to find a bookend complement for left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Journeyman Anthony Clement started every game but was a liability in pass protection and is a free agent. Central Michigan's Joe Staley might be a solid third-round value. If he's gone, Florida A&M's Daniel Parrish has similar size to Clement.

6. Guard. Left guard Pete Kendall, 33, might have hurt the team in the running game because he's just 280 pounds. The Jets can get by with Brandon Moore at right guard. But beyond Moore and Kendall, the team doesn't have any promising prospects. Texas Tech's Manuel Ramirez or Auburn's Tim Duckworth could be a Day 2 option.

OUTLOOK

Eric Mangini is a defense-minded coach who knows the defensive personnel isn't championship-caliber. Plus, the team needs to get stronger in the trenches, so it makes sense to take a defensive lineman in the first round. In fact, this probably will be a defense-oriented draft, considering the first three picks went to the offense last season. The team could take two defensive linemen and a cornerback among its four picks on Day 1.

The Jets might add a running back in the free-agent market, so don't look for them to appeal to the fans' whims and draft one early. A back could be taken in the mid-to-late rounds. Also, look for the team to pursue offensive line help then.

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