Jets Select UNC's Quinton Coples

New Jets defensive end Quinton Coples. (AP photo)

The New York Jets pulled a minor surprise tonight at the NFL draft, picking North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples with the 16th overall selection. They passed over Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw and South Carolina linebacker Melvin Ingram, both of which the team was linked to in the days leading up to the draft.

But the Jets had targeted Coples from the start, even telling the North Carolina product he would be the team's pick if he fell to them. Coples did drop to 16 and the Jets snatched him up.

Coples is 6-foot-6 and 284 pounds with all the tools to be a great player. Ryan likened him to Shaun Ellis and Trevor Pryce. But the negatives surrounding Coples are his work ethic, especially during an underwhelming final season with the Tar Heels. Watching some game tape, Coples looked slow getting to the ball.

Coples will play opposite last year's first round pick, Mohammed Wilkerson. That should give the Jets a tremendous tandem on the ends for the next 10 years. At least, the team and their fans hope they will produce enough to stick around for a decade.