Aug 21, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) runs with the ball after taking a lateral from safety Eric Smith (33) following an interception as Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) closes in during a preseason game at the New Meadowlands Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

During the 2007 NFL Draft, Darrelle Revis was the player I coveted most for the Bengals. His physicality on the line, instincts in space playing zone, and ability to shadow a wide receiver downfield left me downright giddy.

And, with the 18^th pick, the Bengals were primed to select him. Until the Jets swooped in to trade up to 14 and select Revis.

So we were left with Leon Hall, for whom I had great respect as a prospect. Hall had the most sound technique in the draft, but questions about his speed and memories of Ted Ginn Jr. abusing him mercilessly were still fresh in my head.

But, after the trade that sent Darrelle Revis from the Jets, who received a 2013 first-round selection and a conditional mid-round pick in 2014, I began to consider which player I would have rather selected if I were Mike Brown.

Consider this:

• Leon Hall – 87 games with 81 starts since 2007: drafted 1^st rnd, 18^th overall
• 22 INT, 6 single season high
• 89 PD, 24 single season high
• Before injuries, averaged 4.5 INT and 17.75 PD
• Darrelle Revis 79 games with 79 starts since 2007: drafted 1^st rnd 14^th overall
• 19 INT, 6 INT single season high
• 97 PD, 31 single season high
• Before injuries, averaged 3.6 INT and 15.67

Of course, the money is the first aspect to consider. Revis will now average $16 million annually. That is definitely an acceptable number for the most dominant defensive player in the game not named J.J., but is the value there?

Nov 23, 2012; Ames, Iowa, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) throws a pass before a game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith is widely regarded as this year’s best QB prospect, but that doesn’t mean he’s viewed as an elite prospect, and now Yahoo Sports’ Jason Cole reports  Smith could easily fall out of the top-ten draft picks based on what he’s hearing from his sources. Most believe the New York Jets wouldn’t have passed on Smith at #9, but after yesterday’s trade that netted them the #13-overall pick, they could wiat to select him there now.

By dealing away the 13th pick, the Bucs would not have any selections until #43 overall, but the Jets now have three picks in the top-40 (#9, 13, & 39). Despite losing their top corner, Derek Harper of CBS Sports believes the Jets will target one of the top pass-rushers with their first selection:

 There is a good group of defensive prospects likely to be available with that spot — BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, Utah defensive tackle Star Lotuleleiand outside linebackers Barkevious Mingo of LSU and Georgia’s Jarvis Jones all make sense for the Jets and would be good value picks at that spot.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports the Buffalo Bills are prepared to draft Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib with the #8-overall pick if they are unable to trade down from that pick. Former Cuse Head Coach Doug Marrone knows what Nassib has to offer the QB-needy Bills, and they’ll likely do everything in their power to make Nassib a Bill.

Albert Breer of the NFL Network reports the Jets offered the New Orleans Saints a sixth-round pick for running back Chris Ivory, but they want a 4th-rounder in return.

NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline reports the Jacksonville Jaguars are  down to two prospect that they’re considering with the #2-overall pick, and it’s Oregon defensive end/linebacker Dion Jordan or the best offensive tackle still on the board, which will likely be Eric Fisher.

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Nov 6, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) comes off the field after beating the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Jets beat the Bills 27-11. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE 12:40 PM EST

The New York Jets have agreed in principle on a trade to send Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks, and the Bucs have agreed to a long-term contract that will make Revis one of the highest paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL, according to Yahoo Sports and ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still working to complete a deal that would send several of this year’s draft picks to the New York Jets for cornerback Darrelle Revis, and multiple reports are out that Revis has been given permission to conduct a physical with the Bucs, signaling a trade is imminent:

Permission for Darrelle Revis to undergo Bucs physical never would have been granted if NYJ and TB couldn’t work out trade. So there’s that.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2013

As @adamschefter reported, the Jets have granted the Bucs permission to bring CB Darrelle Revis in for a visit and a physical. — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 21, 2013

This, obviously, is a significant step towards a trade. Bucs getting the Revis physical out of the way makes trading ’13 picks possible.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 21, 2013

This may be the biggest step toward finalizing a trade.  This is the first time the Jets have  granted Revis permission to undergo a physical with the Bucs if they didn’t believe a trade could be worked out. Assuming Tampa Bay is happy with what it sees, then a trade should go down shortly.

The expected  compensation is the #14 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, as well as a number of smaller picks.

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