HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -The New York Jets moved up in the first round and snatched the shutdown cornerback they coveted.
The Jets traded their first-round pick – No. 25 overall – to Carolina for the Panthers’ first-rounder – No. 14 – and selected Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis on Saturday.
New York also gave Carolina a second-rounder and a fifth-rounder in this year’s draft, and received the Panthers’ sixth-round choice.
Revis should immediately fill one of the Jets’ biggest needs. Veteran Andre Dyson started every game at left cornerback until he was injured in Week 15, but the right side was a different story. Justin Miller, David Barrett, Hank Poteat and rookie Drew Coleman all took turns in the starting lineup.
While all return, none is viewed as a long-term solution. Revis could be. He played left cornerback before moving to the right side last season as a junior.
The 5-foot-11, 204-pound Revis is a versatile player, something coach Eric Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum covet, and could serve as the Jets’ punt returner.
Revis was the first player in Pittsburgh history to return interceptions for touchdowns in consecutive games last season, scored twice on punt returns during his career and started 34 of 35 games for the Panthers.
The selection of the nephew of former NFL defensive tackle Sean Gilbert drew mostly cheers and high-fives among the Jets fans gathered at the draft site at Radio City Music Hall. Revis was considered the best of a cornerback crop that included Michigan’s Leon Hall and Texas’ Aaron Ross.
Most figured the Pittsburgh Steelers would take the hometown kid until New York spoiled that possibility.
With the Panthers on the clock, it was announced that there was a trade and that the Jets were up next. The fans wearing green and white Jets jerseys cheered loudly – until the details of the deal were announced. Those same fans tempered their cheers, perhaps thinking New York gave up a bit too much for the pick.
Revis is the first cornerback selected in the first round by the Jets since Aaron Glenn in 1994.
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