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Suppose all 10 members of this short list are gone by the 18th pick. The Jets have no reason to panic.

These players are the fallbacks. They're the first-round picks who would look great in green and white if they fit a major need. It's not that the Jets can't use a safety, edge-rusher or offensive lineman. They could. They'll probably pick players in all of these positions some time in this draft. Round 1 is just too early because of their other priorities.

Under normal circumstances, most of these players would be top five or top 10 picks. Making the 10 members of this short list, the four projected Round 1 quarterbacks (Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr and Johnny Manziel), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and inside linebacker C.J. Mosley 16 of the first 17 picks suddenly puts five of these "Plan B" players within reach of the Jets at pick 18.

FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama

His NFL.com profile concedes that "hype exceeded performance," but still concludes that Clinton-Dix Clinton-Dix "offers starter-caliber instincts, range, coverage skills and tackling ability as a free safety. Should be a Day 1 starter."

Selecting Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor instead of a cornerback would start the conversation rolling about the Jets' defensive direction in 2014. Unless Dimitri Patterson is more of a shutdown cornerback than media and fans realize, drafting a safety in Round 1 would imply a major shift in how Rex Ryan runs his secondary. There would be more sharing of coverage responsibilities between safeties and cornerbacks, unusual in a Ryan defense.

FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville

Pryor's NFL.com profile claims that he "has the ability to start as a rookie." That profile lauds his aggressive, "explosive" hitting and great range, particularly against the run. Despite 15 pass breakups and seven interceptions over three years, his pass defense doesn't get the same type of praise. That may be, according to the profile, because Pryor "Is not asked to play a lot of man coverage."

OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA

Barr's NFL.com profile paints the picture of a player so athletically gifted that he could eventually be a two-way player. He needs to work on ball location, play recognition and diversifying his sack moves to put his natural athleticism to work as a premier NFL defender.

OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo

According to his NFL.com profile, Mack will probably be gone by the time the Jets pick. The profile touts the possibility of playing defensive end in a "40" or 4-3 scheme in addition to linebacker. If that is Mack's career goal, the Jets might not be the best fit for him.

OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State

Shazier's NFL.com profile indicates a 4-3 defensive scheme might be his best fit, but having Damon Harrison as the Jets' nose tackle should make a 3-4 scheme work as well. In three years, Shazier recorded 44.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Outside of this contrived Plan B scenario, he's the most likely edge-rusher to be available by the time the Jets pick.

OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M

According to his NFL.com profile, Matthews is probably "One of the safest picks in the draft…." That's because he's "capable of playing all five positions on the line" and "Can plug into a starting lineup immediately and will play a long time at a consistently high level." The strength of this draft's offensive linemen are its tackles, not guards. If the Jets want to draft a premium offensive line prospect, better to take someone like Matthews who they can plug and play into the first open opportunity than to take someone of equal talent whose positional options are more limited.

OT Greg Robinson, Auburn

If the Jets could shop for D'Brickashaw Ferguson's successor in the 2014 draft, Robinson would be a great heir apparent. Robinson, according to his NFL.com profile, "still must improve his hand use, footwork and technique." At the same time, he's a ” Big, strong, athletic, overpowering left tackle with the raw potential to become a premiere, franchise left tackle."

Granted, this is an oddball scenario. It's still comforting to know that the Jets can make a quality Round 1 pick if their primary options are gone.