Jets fans balked last year, when the team picked linebacker Quinton Coples over linebacker Melvin Ingram in the first round of the draft.This year, it’ll be easier to make a direct comparison between the two players.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, the Jets plan to move Coples from defensive end to outside linebacker. That’s the position Ingram plays for the Chargers.
Coples outperformed Ingram in 2012, despite playing a position less conducive to getting to the quarterback. Each player appeared in 16 games with two starts. Coples had 5.5 sacks while primarily playing interior defensive line in the 3-4; Ingram had only one sack as an outside linebacker.
The decision makes the team’s selection of defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson with the 13th overall pick in the draft a bit more understandable. The decision would make even more sense if Richardson loses 110 pounds and plays receiver.