New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is an admitted advocate of the "ground and pound" offense, a style which his team did not use successfully during the 2011 season en route to missing the playoffs.
In Mel Kiper's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft on ESPN, the NFL analyst predicts the Jets will select guard Cordy Glenn with the No. 16 pick and suggests that New York would like to return to a run-heavy offense.
The Jets like to bill themselves as a ball control team on offense, able to run to set up the pass, and put away games with physical play up front. Well, it's hard to do that if you're 29th in the NFL in yards per rush, as they were in 2011. With Tony Sparano coming to town, my guess is shoring up the offensive line will be a priority (just as it was with his last pick in Miami) as the Jets try to get the offense back where they want it. Glenn is a really versatile guy who could probably be adequate at tackle, but could dominate inside. He could start there immediately.
Mocking The Draft believes Glenn is worth a late-first round pick due to his physical traits, but notes that his pass-blocking technique and instincts are flawed. He is ranked No. 29 among Mocking The Draft's Top 100 NFL Draft Prospects, suggesting that perhaps the Jets would not be getting terrific value if they selected him with the 16th pick. But needs are needs, and the Jets need to upgrade a rushing attack that struggled last season.
For a more optimistic take on Glenn, the National Football Post has Glenn rated considerably higher as the No. 11 prospect, calling him a likely starter early in his career.
For more news and updates on the New York Jets be sure to visit Gang Green Nation and SB Nation New York. For more mock draft information, check out Mocking The Draft.