The New York Jets picked Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.
The Jets and coach Rex Ryan loaded up on defense in the first round after also taking Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner with the No. 9 pick. New York acquired the 13th pick from Tampa Bay for cornerback Darrelle Revis on Sunday.
Richardson was acquired from Tampa Bay along with a conditional fourth-round selection in next year’s draft.
Unlike with the Jets’ choice Milliner, which was met raucous cheers, the selection of Richardson drew scattered boos and even a few “Who?” comments.
“I’m here to bring a championship back to New York,” Richardson said.
Richardson, who’s 6-foot-2 and 294 pounds, is an athletic run-stuffing lineman who had 79 tackles last season for Missouri. He adds depth to a defensive front that includes two other first-rounders in Muhammad Wilkerson (2011) and Quinton Coples (2012).
“His ability to change direction, it’s special,” said Jeff Bauer, the Jets’ director of college scouting.
Richardson could compete with Kenrick Ellis, the team’s third-round pick in 2011, to be the Jets’ starting nose tackle after the team released veteran Sione Po’uha.
