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Palladino: Pass Rusher Should Be Jets GM's Draft Alternative

By Ernie Palladino
» More Ernie Palladino Columns

The glitterati of pro football journalism have written it over and over, so much so that one expects dust to fly off the page whenever they broach the subject.

The Jets must draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota at all costs.

It has taken on a biblical ring, as if spoken from a pulpit. So it was written, so it shall be done.

The Jets have heard. Or, if they have and don't care, they've certainly put up a great act. The Daily News reported that no less than six evaluators traveled westward to put him through a private workout Saturday. If nothing else, they have appeased a fan base terrified of going into training camp with a quarterback duo of Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick -- with Smith at the front -- at least temporarily.

All that is nice. Teams must research any and all prospects who might fall to them, and Jets' general manager is doing just that. When all this is over in the late afternoon of May 2, no one will ever accuse Mike Maccagnan of leaving his homework unfinished.

But for all their advance work, they still have to draft with a Plan B in mind, knowing they may not be the only party interested in Mariota. San Diego, for instance, has also worked him out, and might just be willing to trade Philip Rivers in a jump-up from No. 17. Several voices indicate the Redskins are fed up with Robert Griffin III and would love to take him at No. 5.

At least one West Coast draft wag has him going to the Titans at No. 2, right behind presumed top pick Jameis Winston. A rumor like that could force Maccagnan into a situation where he would have to convince the Titans, who actually need a pass rusher more than a quarterback, that he could put together a package worth moving back.

That would be easier said than done. According to the chart teams use to assign point values to draft picks, the Jets with 1,600 points would need to come up with another 1,000 point to move up that high. They'd probably have to give up at least a second, a fourth, and a veteran to get there. And unless Maccagnan was willing to give up one of his own pass rushers to help the Titans fill an immediate need, that trade probably wouldn't happen.

Much easier would be a trade-up to No. 5 Washington. A couple of mid-rounders would probably do it, unless of course the Redskins are as sold on the kid as the Jets appear.

The point is, Maccagnan can't count on Mariota being there. He might not even want to trade up if all the watching and evaluating and interviewing reveals Mariota as something less than a franchise quarterback.

If that happens, Jets fans are probably looking at a pass rusher instead of a much-needed arm when the Jets go on the clock.

Not that it would be a bad thing. It's a solid alternative, actually. Several good ones sit at the top of the draft -- DT Leonard Williams of USC, OLB Dante Fowler of Florida, OLB Vic Beasley of Clemson, and DE Randy Gregory of Nebraska, to name four.

Gregory is a clear gamble because of his penchant for puffing herb. After the list of miscreants Rex Ryan compiled, the last thing the Jets need is a pothead, so perhaps they should just pass on a guy who tried to explain away a failed drug test at the Scouting Combine on residual effects of smoking the stuff two months earlier. But for pure talent, Gregory is considered an elite edge rusher who would look great as a situational bookend to Muhammad Wilkerson in a 4-3 look, or as a starter whenever the ever-unpredictable Todd Bowles goes with a 4-3 base against selected opponents.

It wouldn't be the first time a local team chose a pass rusher over other glaring needs. Ernie Accorsi plucked Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka with the 32nd pick in 2006 despite a front line that already featured Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora.

His explanation was simple.

"You can never have too many pass rushers," he said.

The Jets would be wise to follow that advice. Wiser still, do what they have to do to get Mariota. That would have all those PSLers breathing a lot easier.

But if Maccagnan can't pull that off -- or chooses not to -- he should continue to bulk up the defense.

Another good pass rusher will make that reunited cornerback tandem of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie look even better.

If it translates into winning, Jets fans might even forgive him for not getting the quarterback at all costs.

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