By Bob Bonett

With the 6th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the New York Jets select:

At long last, the 2008 NFL Draft is approaching, and as the so-called “experts” wrap up their ump-teenth “Mock Draft,” the options for the New York Jets in the sixth position are starting to dwindle. The team’s needs are obvious-defensive help, specifically in the font seven of their improving 3-4 scheme, and a playmaker on offense, whether it be in he backfield or wide right.

The way I see it, the choices on the board for Gang Green are few and far between. The prospect of taking a wideout in the top-10 seems virtually absurd, especially considering the question marks surrounding top prospect Malcolm Kelly. Thus, New York has limited choices to work with. And if I’m GM Mike Tannenbaum on draft day, here is the blueprint I’m working with, from most desirable situation to last resort:

Darren McFadden, RB from Arkansas

Yes, I know the Jets acquired Thomas Jones just one year ago, have a more-than-formidable third down option in Leon Washington, and recently signed former Dolphin Jesse Chatman, a talented backup. The fact of the matter is, though, that if McFadden falls to New York in the draft, they absolutely need to pull the trigger.

It wasn’t too long ago-last year, in fact-that the Vikings found themselves with a running back from the Sooners named Adrian Peterson still on the draft board in their position. Coming into draft day, there was little intention in Minnesota to draft the Oklahoma alum considering his immense talent would most definitely land him on a team well earlier in the draft. However, the never-fail strategy in the NFL Draft is to select the most talented player on the board, regardless of a team’s need, if the said athlete trumps all other prospects in talent in innate ability. As a result, the Vikings wound up with a player that will threaten the single-season rushing record year after year after year.

Now Lane Kiffin keeps droning on that the Raiders will not take McFadden at No. 4 after signing Justin Fargas to a long-term deal in the offseason. I do have some news for those that think Kiffin has any power, though-Al Davis undeniably has the last word for Oakland come April 26, and he has a track record for getting all tingly inside for hyped-up athletic freaks.

The Raiders need a running back even less than the Jets do and should be taking some sort of defensive stopper or offensive lineman with their selection. If McFadden gets past the fourth spot, and the Cowboys don’t make a move toward the top of the draft, the Razorback will be waiting-probably impatiently-for Gang Green at No. 6.

Whether Jets Nation wants to admit it or not, McFadden is the best player New York could possible select at this spot, due to his natural talent and unquestioned playmaking ability.

Chance of McFadden in Green: 20%

Vernon Gholston, LB from Ohio State

This is the pick that absolutely makes the most sense for the Jets based on the direction they have taken ever since signing Jones to patrol the backfield. Defense has become a premium for Tangini-the brain child of Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini, of course-as evidenced by the signing of Calvin Pace and Kris Jenkins. And how could these two complete their return to the days of Gang Green having a top-10 defensive unit?-adding Gholston to the outside linebacking corps.

The Buckeye adds to the ever-improving pass-rushing ability that the Jets have started to reincarnate after the epic failure of the DeWayne Robertson experiment, and sporting three young guns at linebacker in Gholston, Pace and David Harris is absolutely frightening for any opposing quarterback.

If McFadden is toast and Gholston is available, absolutely expect the Jets to go this direction at No. 6.

Chance of Gholston in Green: 65%

Matt Ryan, QB from Boston College

Alright, I know that all of those talented draft pundits have Ryan ending up seemingly anywhere but the Green side of the Meadowlands. Whether he goes No. 1 to Miami-which seems more and more unlikely with the alleged contract talks between offensive lineman Jake Long and the Bill Parcells-run Dolphins-third to Atlanta, or outside of the top six, the general consensus is that Ryan will be headed to a team that doesn’t have any option at quarterback, let alone a full-blown controversy behind center.

But, consider the following. As of now, with all of the movement over in Weeb Ewbank Hall, the Jets have seemingly met every one of the team’s glaring needs-defensive help, offensive line help, resigning Laveranues Coles and just recently Kerry Rhodes-except the glaring one at quarterback.

Yes, fans would love to believe that former second-round pick Kellen Clemens is the savior in New York, or veteran Chad Pennington is primed for one more run cat the postseason in Green.

Face it though, ladies and gentleman-neither of these signal callers is primed for a breakout year in ’08. At best, Pennington will serve as a leader on the field that will sport a terrific quarterback rating, but a knack for folding under the pressure. Clemens, meanwhile, may struggle to complete 50 percent of his passes, and will undoubtedly end up in the bottom third of NFL passers in most statistical categories.

So, say for a second Gholston and McFadden are both scooped up in the top five, and Ryan sits on the board with New York on the clock. Granted, scouts from Gang Green haven’t been in touch with Ryan, and there has not been much noise throughout the rumor mill to suggest that New York is secretly courting this year’s top quarterback prospect.

BUT, if the Jets are looking at taking a quarterback in the second round-say, for argument’s sake, Andrew Woodson or Joe Flacco-what on earth is the point? First, the team already has two very sub-par options at the quarterback-why the need for another mediocre arm behind center? And for those that wish to proclaim a 2008 second-round quarterback the future of the team, how quick they are to forget about Mr. Clemens’ selection a few short seasons ago.

Yes, it is far fetched, but if the Jets’ front office wants a quarterback, why wait until the second round if all the other options (as in McFadden and Gholston) are exhausted and the top arm is available?

Chance of Ryan in Green: 5%

Darren McFadden, RB from Arkansas, and trade his rights to Dallas

While I would have argued to the grave earlier in the offseason that trading their pick was the best suggestion-considering how shallow Gang Green proved to be in 2007-after a liberal free agent period that saw New York expend a ton of cashola, it seems that Jets would rather have one ultra-talented player than two late first-round picks and future considerations.

However, if the team believes in Thomas Jones as much as some people would hope, especially with the addition of Damien Woody, and McFadden is still available at six, you know that Jerry Jones will certainly be calling up Woody Johnson to talk trade.

What would the Jets receive in return?

Probably the Cowboys’ other two first round picks (No. 22 and 28) and a future first rounder-not exactly what the team needs considering how much money was spent the past few months to make New York a contender now.

Still though, if Dallas ups the ante and Gang Green can’t refuse, you may see New York opting for depth over a difference maker.

Chance of a trade: 10%