The New York Jets seem to draft a first round defensive lineman every year. With two elite pass rushers available, could we see another?

This week, ESNY looks at the defensive line prospects that will be available to the New York Jets during the 2017 NFL Draft. Defensive linemen have long been coveted by the defensive-minded Jets’ head coaches during the Woody Johnson tenure of ownership.

The Jets have drafted a defensive lineman in the first round of the draft four times since 2011, with the most recent being Pro Bowler Leonard Williams in 2015. Williams was regarded as the best player in the draft when he fell to Gang Green with the number six selection.

While Williams is off to a stellar start to what could be an outstanding career, the drafting of linemen has been boom or bust. If you want to see a Jets fan cringe, drop names like Vernon Gholston and Dewayne Robertson. But the last few years have produced some good ones.

Muhammed Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams and Quinton Coples each made immediate impacts in their rookie seasons. Coples was moved to linebacker after the Jets had selected Richardson in 2013 and last played with the Los Angeles Rams.

Wilkerson and Richardson were criticized throughout the season for being detriments in the locker room. With the reports that they continually showed up late and the past sins of Richardson, the front office may have no choice but to move on from a member of the “Sons of Anarchy.”

This year’s draft offers a deep selection of defensive linemen, with the possibility of three or four being selected within the first 10 picks. The Jets, who fall within the top ten may reap the benefits of one of the top two falling to them.

With the ability to draft in the top part of each round, here are some options for Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles to consider to bolster the line and possibly replace Sheldon Richardson:

Round 1: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

Assuming that Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett and Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen are off the board, Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett would be the next best available defensive lineman.

Barnett had a stellar collegiate career and finished the 2016 campaign with 13 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and five pass deflections. The 13 sacks were his most as a collegiate player, but the second time he had reached double digits in three years.

If the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl was a curtain call for his college career, Barnett helped himself immensely going into combine season. Barnett led a disruptive Volunteers’ defense, in which he made tackle after tackle and deflected two passes that stalled Nebraska drives.

Taking Barnett at pick six may be a stretch, but if the Jets have interest in adding yet another first round defensive lineman, Barnett would add a consistent pass rush. He may not be the most explosive rusher in the draft, but he is the most NFL-ready.

Alternative Pick: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

Round 2: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

Charles Harris is one of those exceptional talents that is the “bright spot” teams, fortunately, find on a really bad team. The defensive end has just been better and better over his career, while the Missouri Tigers have continued to be dreadful.

What you have to love about Harris comes down to two major factors. First of all, he stays healthy. Harris has played in 33 games in his three-year career at Mizzou. Secondly, he has progressed as a pass rusher each year.

As a freshman, Harris compiled 13 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. By the time he became a junior, Harris was able to grow those numbers to 61 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles. Scouts feed on progression and there is no doubt that there will be plenty of scouts talking executives into taking a chance on Harris in the first round.

However, we project Harris as an end of the first round, beginning of the second round talent that may fall right into the New York Jets’ hands. Adding Harris, who has refined his pass rushing skills over his collegiate career, could be the best compliment to add to a defensive line that includes Mo Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Pro Bowler Leonard Williams.

Alternative Pick: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois

Round 3: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama

The Crimson Tide defense was too good not to include one of the many talented Alabama defensive linemen. Dalvin Tomlinson has all the measurable attributes to become an absolute terror for an opposing offensive lineman.

Over the last two seasons for Alabama, Tomlinson has brought a consistent disruptive gap pressure to make the Tide defensive great, week in and week out. Though the sack totals are minimal, the nine pass deflections over the past two seasons are the numbers that stick out. That constant pressure leads to many quarterback mistakes, an area where Alabama has taken advantage of during the Nick Saban era.

If scouts need evidence of Tomlinson’s potential, all they would need to do is to turn on the Alabama-Ole Miss game from this past season. Tomlinson was the star of the show on the defensive side of the ball, accounting for seven tackles and a pass deflection that denied a Rebel’s upset.

With the prospect of trading Sheldon Richardson in the back of Mike Maccagnan’s mind, Tomlinson could be a perfect replacement in production and cost savings. A strong combine will certainly push Tomlinson into the second round, but as it stands, he could be a steal in the third round.

Alternative Pick: Carroll Phillips, DE, Illinois

Round 4 & 5: Tyus Bowser, DE, Houston and Deatrich Wise Jr., DT, Arkansas

Houston Cougar Tyus Bowser is one of those sleepers that come out of nowhere if you are not watching the full college landscape. Bowser is a hybrid defensive end and outside linebacker who can explode off the edge and get to the quarterback.

The New York Jets could benefit from adding a speed rusher of Bowser’s ilk. He will need to put on a bit more size so he is not engulfed by the strength of the average offensive tackle. Adding some strength and getting better against the run will only help Bowser to reach his potential of becoming a full-time player. Like Dalvin Tomlinson, Tyus has progressed each year, finishing his collegiate career with outstanding numbers in a season where he was only available for eight games.

A player that doesn’t lack power, Deatrich Wise Jr., is the son of a former NFL player, Deatrich Wise, Sr., who was a ninth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks and spent some time playing in the CFL. Junior looks to follow in his father’s footsteps into the pro ranks.

Wise’s production fell below expectations during his senior year at Arkansas. The eight sacks he garnered in 2015 fell to a measly three and a half during the 2016 campaign. Wise’s potential is based on the power he displayed during his junior year.

With Bowser and Wise, the Jets could address depth on the interior line or add that explosive pass rusher. The two are talents that need NFL grooming to be consistent, but the ceiling is high enough for their draft positions to be justified.

Alternative Picks: Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn and Calvin Munson, DE, San Diego St.

Round 6 & 7: Tanoh Kpassagnon, DT, Villanova and Tanzel Smart, DT, Tulane

They are known as the championship rounds in boxing, but in the NFL, if you can find a talent in the sixth and seventh rounds of the draft, you’ve done excellent scouting. It seems more frequent, that talent with high ceilings seem to slip through the cracks and either is selected in these late rounds or are signed as free agents.

Villanova is predominately known as a basketball school, having won the 2016 NCAA Tournament in memory making fashion. Though the football team also has National Championships to its credit, it lacks the notoriety of the basketball squad. One player in this year’s draft hopes to change that, and follow the path laid by retired star running back, Brian Westbrook.

Tanoh Kpassagnon has impressive size at 6’7”, 280 pounds. That coupled with his gigantic wingspan and large hands contributed to the ability to wrap up running backs for an outrageous 21 tackles for a loss. Kpassagnon is a project at defensive tackle, but with that size, could be a special teams member from day one in the NFL. Based on his production in the FCS, worth the flier, because he has shown an immense ability to learn.

Another player the New York Jets could take a flier on is Tulane’s Tanzel Smart. Smart lacks the measurables to push him into the higher rounds, but his love of the game makes him a fun player to watch. That type of love and effort gets players noticed, and like Kpassagnon can garner a spot on special teams and as a backup. In today’s NFL, depth helps win championships, just look north to New England.

Alternative Picks: Chunky Clements, DT, Illinois and Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE, Miami