FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- If the NFL were to redo the 2013 draft, rookie defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson doesn't believe he'd be with the New York Jets.

The way he sees it, the Jets -- who took him 13th overall and also owned the ninth pick -- wouldn't even have a shot at grabbing him.

Sheldon Richardson went 13th in April's draft, but he may be playing better than any other rookie. AP Photo/Evan Pinkus

"Probably No. 1, most likely," Richardson said of where he'd go in a redraft. "Kansas City? Yeah. I went into the draft thinking I'd be the No. 1 pick. I had a shot."

While there was little scuttlebutt ahead of the draft in April about Richardson being a potential No. 1 pick, his play this season certainly makes him as valuable as any other rookie, and he would warrant consideration for the top pick in a draft redo. Richardson has been a stalwart on the Jets' defensive line, and he will be one of the top candidates for the league's defensive rookie of the year award.

Coach Rex Ryan believes Richardson deserves the honor.

"I just look at the film. Base it on production. Production's a huge part of it," Ryan said. "But the way he plays, he's got that relentless motor, and for a defensive tackle being as productive as he is -- it doesn't necessarily show on the sack total (he has 3.5), but he's got [27] hits on the quarterback -- and [there's also] the way he's played the screen game. His tackles are probably among the league leaders for defensive linemen.

"Tape doesn't lie."

With the ninth pick, the Jets selected cornerback Dee Milliner, who has struggled and has been benched multiple times.

Richardson said he interviewed with the Chiefs at the combine, but Kansas City was interested in drafting an offensive tackle, and although Richardson was productive at Missouri, he had some off-field issues.