FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- The New York Jets have selected North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples, giving Rex Ryan's defense the pass rusher it coveted.
The Kinston, NC native had 23 sacks in four seasons with the Tar Heels, including 17 1/2 in his last two years. The Jets finished fifth in defense last season, but New York's 35 sacks ranked tied for 17th in the league, and Aaron Maybin led the team with just six. The 6-foot-5, 284-pound Coples should help fill that need immediately, but that still didn't make some fans happy -- many of whom booed the pick at the draft site at Radio City Music Hall. They had been chanting for the team to take South Carolina's Melvin Ingram.
New York selected Temple defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson with the 30th pick last year.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
