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With just under two weeks until the NFL Draft begins on April 26th, the rumors, prognostications and mock drafts are all in high-gear. Among the latest specualtion is a possible reunion of two popular Sun Devils in the Big Apple.
With areas of need at each position, the New York Jets have reportedly had interest in former Arizona State cornerback Omar Bolden and wide receiver Gerell Robinson.
Bolden has made an terrific comeback from a torn ACL suffered last April that forced him to miss all of the 2011 season. He has impressed both at the NFL Combine and at ASU's Pro Day, where he displayed great agility speed, including 40-yard dash times in the 4.5-second range. He has drawn interest from many teams, including the Patriots, Giants, Cardinals, Redskins, Eagles and Broncos. FOXSportsArizona.com reported that he also had a private workout with the Jets.
The Jets have one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL in Darrelle Revis, but question marks abound after him. Their other starting cornerback, Antonio Cromartie, has great playmaking talent, but often shys away from run support and is a locker room headache. Kyle Wilson is a young up-and-comer who has some starting experience, but has battled consistency issues, and the depth after him is perilous. Bolden's coverage ability and strength against the run would make a nice fit in that depleted unit.
The team's interest in Robinson reportedly began at the Senior Bowl, and Sports New York's thejetsblog.com says that Robinson is a player that the team has significant interest in. A look at the current Jets' receiving corps shows a unit that is as good for drops and drama as it is for a key reception. After the talented but volatile Santonio Holmes, unproven players like Jeremy Kerley, Patrick Turner and the recently acquired Chaz Schilens round out Mark Sanchez' targets. A big-bodied, sure-handed receiver like Robinson could find a quick path to a No. 3 role.
Bolden has been rising up many draft boards and could be an option for the Jets' third-round pick (77th) overall, but with no fourth round selection as a result of the Tim Tebow trade, it's unlikely he could be taken after that. The team does have seven selections in the final three rounds (one fifth rounder and each each in rounds six and seven), which is where most figure Robinson will be selected. So armed with those picks, if the talk about the team's interest in Robinson is legitimate, they will have many chances to prove it.
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