Jets trade up for Stephen Hill

The Jets had their pick of the litter when it came to pass rushers in the first round of the NFL draft.

On Friday night, they also had plenty of options -- this time at wide receiver.

The Jets got their potential deep field threat in the second round last night, selecting Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill.

The Jets traded away a fifth (154th overall) and seventh round (232nd overall) pick to Seattle in order to move up from 47 to 43rd to get Hill.

“I really didn’t have no idea until that phone started ringing,” he said. “I just got so happy I didn’t even answer the phone on the first ring.”

The 6-4, 215-pounder was the go-to wideout in the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense, averaging 29.3 yards on 28 catches.

After selecting defensive end Quinton Coples 16th overall in the first round, the Jets entered the second round of the draft hoping to snatch up a speedy wide receiver. And that’s just what they got.

Not only are Hill’s physical attributes impressive -- he’s athletic and long -- but the early-entry junior, has a lot of experience blocking thanks to Georgia Tech’s run-first offense.
And that bodes well for the Jets, who are determined to mesh a Mark Sanchez-led passing attack with a running game that features a Tim Tebow-run Wildcat.

Hill said the Jets stressed the importance of bringing his physicality to the field.

“I can definitely put somebody on their butt,” he said.

Though he admitted it will be a “big transition” getting used to a system with more passing plays, Hill is confident he’ll be a quick learner.

“I just feel like whatever they bring to the table I’m going to come in there and just fit in wherever I fit in,” he said. “And whatever Coach want me that’s what I’m going to do.”

The Jets, who don’t pick again until today’s sixth round, went to the wide receiver’s his pro day and later held a private workout with him and brought him to the facility for a pre-draft visit.

His unexpected 4.3 40-yard dash time caught the attention of several teams, but Hill said that was not out of the ordinary. “I told the Jets I was going to run that time,” he said. “It was definitely routine.”

If he’s able to secure the No. 2 wide receiver spot opposite Santonio Holmes, Hill will improve the Jets’ red-zone efficiency.

Last season, they were tied with the St. Louis Rams for the fewest (three) passing pass of 40 or more yards. Hill said he’s looking forward to catching passes from Sanchez and Tebow -- both of whom he called “great athletes” and “winners” -- adding that he’s ready to make his mark with the Jets.

“A lot of big plays down the field and big touchdowns at the right time, of course,” he said.