Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft Has Jets Drafting a Cornerback

Mel Kiper is out with his first mock draft of the year, and he has the Jets going defense in the first round once again.

6. New York Jets

**Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

Lattimore is another first-year starter who jumped to the top of my cornerback rankings with a stellar season. A hamstring injury limited his time on the field in Columbus in 2014 and 2015. Speed, size (6-foot-1, 190) -- he has all the traits to be a star. Darrelle Revis could be on his way out with the Jets -- or move to safety -- and Lattimore would slide into his spot on Day 1.

It is incredible the Jets have nothing at cornerback when you consider the resources they have sunk into the position over the last decade. Those are all sunk costs, though, and the Jets do need to address the position.

I haven’t seen the position discussed a whole lot, but it is a premium position in Todd Bowles’ defense and most defenses in the league. Having a top notch corner might be second to edge rusher in most schemes in terms of importance. Nothing aside from having a great edge rusher makes a defense better than having a great corner. On the same note, I’m not sure anything sinks a defense faster, even a lack of an edge rusher than poor cornerback play.

I’m undecided on this specific player at this point, but I think it opens up an interesting discussion.