Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah participates in a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 – Eziekiel Ansah, OLB, BYU – The Jets need an elite pass rusher to get back on the map defensively.  There is no perfect pass rusher in the draft, that has both the stats and the good workouts.  A team with the Jets should focus on an athletic player and can count on Rex to coach a raw talent player like Ansah up.  Ansah is versatile and can play LB and has also played DT and DE.  In selecting Ansah, a true defensive coach like Rex Ryan now has a pass rusher that he can line up to rush the pass from anywhere, which seems like something Rex would be into.

December 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib (12) runs with the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the fourth quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 TRADE BACK with Pittsburgh (possible if Star Lotulelei is still available at #13) – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse – After losing Revis, the Jets are going to have to do something to get their fans excited for the future.  There’s no way they don’t use one of the extra first rounders on a QB to win the job from Sanchez.  It seems like Nassib is the QB the Jets like in this draft.  With at least the Chiefs and Eagles also high on him, the Jets will most likely have to execute a mid-late 1^st rounder for him.  Trading back for a potential franchise QB is risky but feels a lot nicer than trading up for one, especially if you’re a team with as many needs as the Jets.  If the Jets can pull off Ansah, Nassib and an extra 2^nd rounder, it would be an A+ of a first day at the NFL Draft.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) catches a pass defended by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dee Milliner (28) during the first half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Elfert was ruled out of bounds on the play. Mandatory Credit: Eileen Blass-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2 – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame – Tyler Eifert, the best tight end in the draft can step in and fill Dustin Keller’s void immediately.  He was a leader and the #1 offensive weapon on a Notre Dame offense that marched into the National Championship.  He lined up at both TE and WR and is the type of player that can help spark some life into a Jets offense that has been in a coma for a few years.  If the Jets can trade back for an athlete like this AND pick up an extra 2^nd rounder, it will be a big win for this team.

Oct 27, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Giovani Bernard (26) returns a punt for the winning touchdown with 13 second to play in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 43-35 at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2 – (from Pittsburgh) Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina – Regarded as one of the top running backs in this class, Bernard is a safe high floor choice for a running back to work into a high ceiling stable of young running backs in Goodson, Powell and McKnight.  Some consider Bernard to be 1^st round talent, he definitely has the potential to come in and immediately prove to be New York’s next franchise running back.

Dec 1, 2012; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears senior wide receiver Terrance Williams (2) takes the field before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Floyd Casey Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3 – Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor – A tall outside receiver who happened to be the most productive wide out in college football last year, Terrance Williams is the potential #1 WR the Jets have been searching for.  In my opinion, he’s the Jarvis Jones of this receiver class; probably one of the best on tape and production wise, but was not a top performer in workouts.  This is an easy way for a prospect to become be under valued.  These are the types of players the Jets need to be looking for on the 2^nd day of the draft.

Sep 24, 2011; Morgantown, WV, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4 – Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU – The Jets are in a place to take a risk and bring a new headline grabbing player into New York City.  Tyrann Mathieu only needs to play in the nickel for the Jets which he should be ready to step in and do immediately, being that that position was exactly what he was famous for holding down at his time at LSU.  Will he grow to be a #1 CB in the NFL?  Hopefully, but either way he helps out the Jets defense out and completes the cornerback depth as the nickel after Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson’s recent promotions.  Not to mention, he seems like the type of guy who can be a great fit with a coach like Rex Ryan.

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad offensive lineman Jordan Mills of Louisiana Tech against the Senior Bowl north squad during the second half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The South squad defeated the North squad 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5 – Jordan Mills, RT/G, LA Tech – He played his entire college career as a right tackle and was dominant in the position for Louisiana Tech, which had the 5^th most effective offense in the nation last year (only behind Baylor, Texas A&M, Oregon and Oklahoma State).  Scouts also project that he can be a good guard in the NFL.  This is a great use of a 5^th rounder for the Jets; at the best they get the guard they need that can plug in and start right away, at worst they have an experienced right tackle (most will be college Left Tackles converting for their NFL rookie years) to rotate in with Austin Howard who sometimes finds himself with too much on his plate.  Win-win situation for the Jets offensive line.

Feb 24, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Denard Robinson makes a catch during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6 – Denard Robinson, WR/RB/KR/Wildcat QB, Michigan – The Jets finally find their replacement to Brad Smith early in the 6^th round in Denard Robinson.  Robinson is a wild card and has lots of raw athletic talent that can be developed as a WR, RB, Kick Returner and most of all, wildcat QB.  He’s good sleeper pick that could add an extra dimension to the Jets offense and has the popularity to help bring its character back.  Denard is another headline grabbing player who will help a team sell tickets and draw fans out whether or not he makes an immediate impact on the team, so that’s always another plus.

Nov 10, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Brandon Terry (86) defends after North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Brandan Bishop (30) made the successful interception during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7 – Brandon Bishop, S, NC State – 7^th Round equals sleeper round.  The sleeper pick I like is NC State safety Brandon Bishop.  It’d be nice to see a player like him come in and try to win one of the wide open safety spot on the Jets.  He was a second team all-ACC selection this year, Brandon Bishop is buried in this year’s deep deep safety class but has shown on tape that he has the potential to be a solid contributor at safety in the NFL.  Started 8 games as a true freshman for the Wolfpack and totaled 32 tackles (17 solo and 1 TFL) and broke up 4 passes making the All-Freshman Team.  He became the solid starter at safety for the rest of his career.  In his senior season he totaled in 103 tackles (71 solo, 3 TFLs), intercepted 3 passes and broke up 7 more.  He is a sleeper who is overlooked because of a mediocre 40 time and could step into camp fired up to make an immediate impact in the NFL.

Andrew Weber-US Presswire

That new guy might be Kevin Kolb, or it might be a quarterback in this draft class. I’m almost certain the Bills are going to select a QB with their second-round draft choice, and they have worked out just about every quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft class that has a sniff at becoming a franchise QB. The connection between Marrone and former Syracuse Orange star QB Ryan Nassib is strong, but that doesn’t mean the Bills are guaranteed to draft Nassib in the second- it’s just very likely. If Matt Barkley ends up within their grasp there, then I think the Bills will take him and move towards a West Coast offense with two WCO QBs in Kolb and Barkley.

Now Jackson’s position in all of this is interesting. Most people on the Bills beat believe that he will most likely end up as the third-string QB all the way behind Kolb and a rookie QB. Jackson is another WCO QB, so it seems like the Bills are going to move towards that direction.

So what does Buddy Nix think? Tarvaris Jackson told the Buffalo News today that Nix was high on Jackson and actually sold staying with the Bills to Jackson. This shows how much Nix doesn’t like Ryan Fitzpatrick, how much he wants to move towards a new offense, and how much he respects Jackson as a backup QB. Heck, he might end up being their most stabilizing presence at the position as far as experience goes (Jackson is 29).

Here is what Tarvaris Jackson told the Buffalo News, ”Before I left I had been talking to Buddy Nix and that was really one of the main reasons why I came back. Just talking to him it seemed they really wanted me to come back. That was No. 1 on my list. It was a no-brainer. … It was just talking about how things played out and it’ll be a little different this year. I’ll get a chance to compete, so that’s all you can ask for.”

Another reason why Jackson chose to stay? Continuity. The man has been signed and released so often in his career that being able to stick around with the Bills for a couple more seasons is something that Jackson likely welcomes. We’ll see just how long he sticks around in Buffalo.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe.

Jan 24, 2013; Fairhope AL, USA; Senior Bowl north squad quarterback Ryan Nassib of Syracuse (12) passes during Senior Bowl practice at Fairhope municipal stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets once thought they had their franchise quarterback in Mark Sanchez. However after a hot start in the NFL, that included two trips to the AFC Championship game, he’s fizzled and now is better known for the “butt fumble” of 2012. Many think this could have the Jets looking for a new quarterback, despite all the money they gave Sanchez in a long term deal.

And the Jets are rumored to have “aggressively” scouted Ryan Nassib at Syracuse last season and spent extra time with him at his Pro Day according to a Pro Football Talk report.

It’d be a chance for an in-state collegiate product to take the helm of one of the state’s premier franchises. Aside from scouting him during the 2012 season and spending extra time with him at his Pro Day, sources say they took him to dinner as well.

The New York Jets have a top 10 pick, and they wouldn’t likely take Nassib at the #9 pick. That is a huge investment, and would be overvaluing Nassib. They also have many other needs they’d like to address at that spot. Maybe they’re hoping he’ll slip into the second round where they could nab him with the 8th pick, 39th overall.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In Don Banks’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft published on Sports Illustrated, the Buffalo Bills select USC Trojans standout Matt Barkley to be the next franchise QB-hopeful in Buffalo. Geno Smith is regarded as the best quarterback in this draft class for good reason, but he was not available for the Bills; Banks had the Jacksonville Jaguars yanking Smith off the board with the second pick.

Barkley is an interesting consolation prize, and he has worked his way back into being viewed as the second-best QB in this draft class. The Bills would have to morph their offense into a West Coast Offense by selecting Barkley, but it’s worth the switch in scheme if they believe Barkley can be “the guy”. Barkley and Smith are the only two safe selections at the quarterback position in this draft class, and Barkley has terrific short-range accuracy to combat arm strength deficiencies and other criticisms of his game.

The Bills will almost certainly take a quarterback in one of the first two rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft with the intention of making that QB “the guy”, because their biggest need comes at the biggest position. Ryan Nassib and Doug Marrone have the strongest links, but Nassib tends to get overrated. But if the Bills do believe that Nassib can be the guy, then he’s worth a second (maybe even a first) round choice spent.

Barkley’s big question is arm strength, and Banks notes that his draft stock will rise if the QB quells those concerns with a big pro day performance at USC today.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe.

With the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine just days away, people have been anticipating their respective teams to watch for positions of need, and albeit this isn’t a very strong class, there will be plenty of teams watching the QBs work out at Lucas Oil Stadium. Now, within that sentence is the fact that this QB draft class is not a very deep one, easily the weakest in recent years. That doesn’t mean there won’t be top 5 talent in this position, but as you’re about to see, it’s virtually one player, than everybody else. So, to kick off our countdown, the 1st QB to watch for, is:

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia – He’s been a force in the collegiate ranks these past 2 seasons, earning himself a few mentions of Heisman Trophy candidate from time to time. What we have in this player, is a larger, more accurate version of Michael Vick, who once upon a time was the top overall draft pick for the Atlanta Falcons. Smith has a fairly strong arm that can squeeze the ball into tight spaces, which is key in the NFL. What he also has, is speed, a lot of speed and mobility. The NFL is experiencing an evolution at the QB position, where teams are coveting athletic QBs that can turn a busted play into a highlight play, with recent as well as somewhat comparable examples being Cam Newton (Panthers) and RG3 (Redskins). What I do find concerning, though, is when he played the tougher teams on his rather easy schedule, such as Texas Tech and Kansas State, he simply wasn’t as special as he normally would be against other teams. But, he certainly played like a legend at other times, most notably his historic performance against Baylor, where he went 45-of-51 for 656 yards and 8 TDs, with 0 ints. Overall, he’s perhaps the most gifted QB in this draft class, and he’s receiving very high grades from around the league. This, is your top overall pick candidate from the QB class of 2013.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC – Prior to this season, this Trojan alumni was widely considered to be the best QB in this year’s draft class. After this season, he’s second if not third best depending on who you ask or believe. He simply did not have a good season, and is a classic example of what could happen to your draft stock if you receive a top overall grade during your junior year, and decide to stay for your senior season (which I respect). He was under consistent pressure as the OL was resemblant to a car wreck. They really missed their former LT Matt Kahlil, who’s now developing quite nicely with the Minnesota Vikings. Now, with all the negatives brought first, comes the positives. First off, he’s not a QB who’s exceptionally gifted with athleticism unlike a lot of his counterparts, instead, he knows how to play the position from the pocket in an NFL style of offense, which is huge for an inbound rookie. He’s also shown good throwing mechanics, and has shown patience as well as good timing in his throws. His greatest strength, is his overall decision making. Yes, he did again have a very rough senior season, where one will be quick to point out his decision making as a flaw, but I instead look at his overall body of work, where he simply played like a QB who’s ready for the NFL. He may not be top 5 or even top 10 this year, yet make no mistake, he’s got the potential.

Mike Glennon, QB, N.C. State – His stock is on the rise, as he comes in with a reportedly big size (6’6″ 220 lbs) and has an absolute rocket for an arm. His pocket presence is also one that’s admirable, where he is able to move the pocket and avoid potential sacks, which was demonstrated before a large audience in his upset win over the FSU Seminoles. Of course, with the positives, comes the negatives, and his footwork will be heavily critiqued and criticized by a ton of draftniks everywhere. His inconsistency is a serious red flag, as when he would play like a top 5 overall pick at times, he would play like a scrub at others. He can not afford to rely on the large windows in college to pick defenses apart. When you have bad footwork, topped with inconsistency, then you have accuracy problems. It’s not like he’s never been on the money, he just needs to get more consistent with his decisions as well as throws. He’s a work in progress, but in the right environment, he could shine.

Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse – This player has already received some pretty high marks by a few NFL teams needing QBs, most notably this nugget I found while researching into QB prospects. He played with poise, intelligence, and accuracy while playing for the Orange. He also did most of this on his own, where he did not have a really dependable supporting cast to aid him during key moments of the game. What I like best about him, is that he’s the least rattled QB under pressure in this group of QBs. He’ll take a nasty shot, only to get up, and play as cool as a cucumber the very next series of plays. If there could be anything that has managed to lower his draft grade, it’s supposedly his throwing motion. Something I discovered while looking around, was there is a perception of him having a strange “hitch” in his overall motion. I hardly noticed it when I watched a few of his games, but then again I’m not an NFL scout. Also, he didn’t have a particularly strong performance during the Senior Bowl, which always hurts a player’s stock prior to the draft. He of course could skyrocket up the boards if he has an incredibly strong combine, but as of right now, he’s my 4th player on this list. But, he’s definitely earned the right to be considered a sleeper as well.

Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas – Good Lord, the past season for the Razorbacks could not have gone any worse in 2012, where everything seemed to go so wrong after such a promising performance the season prior to this disappointing year. To top it off, Tyler Wilson was playing injured this past season, where he missed the game against the eventual champion Alabama Crimson Tide. Yet, there was some light this past season, and most of it shined when Tyler Wilson stepped onto the field. He turned in a few good games after his injury, and before last season, he showed an enormous amount of potential as a QB destined for the NFL. I’m not ready to compare him to Ryan Mallett, but he’s definitely someone I’d expect a QB needy team to eyeball after the 1st round, if they haven’t already chosen a QB prior to the second or third round. His arm strength is not something to brag about, though, although that’s expected to be a result of a collarbone injury. Speaking of which, that is a significant reason why he may not see himself chosen in the 1st round, as collarbone injuries are not easy to come back from while playing as a QB. His smallish hands were brought up from time to time, which is supposedly a reason why Sam Bradford fumbles the ball a lot, but I’m not really convinced that “small hands” warrants a real hit on his resume. What does warrant a hit, though, is he was a real brash risk taker, that would make poor choices at the absolute worst time. Again, considering the circumstances he was playing under, it’s not a real surprise as to why he took so many risks, he simply went out and played ball. If you want to see a first round calibre player picked up in the mid rounds of the draft, and see him able to compete from day one, then here he is.

I am certain there will be other players that fans wanted to see included in this top 5, including but not limited to E.J. Manuel, Tyler Bray, Landry Jones, and even Collin Klein among others, and as always, feel free to comment on who you think deserves to be in this list. Bottom line, in this weak draft class, I believe these are the best 5 players available in the most important position to play in the NFL.