The Jets waived practice player WR Marco Thomas today, clearing the slate for the draft.

Looks like Vernon Gholston, Darren McFadden and Matt Ryan are the mostly likely Jets picks, and a lot will depend on what Oakland decides to do with No. 4. I’ll be out at Jets camp tomorrow afternoon, and I’ll get you the information as soon as they give it to us.

The Jets are getting back an officially undisclosed draft pick—which the Denver Post is reporting as a conditional seventh-round pick in 2009—for the DT, and also waived four others;  RB Alvin Banks, CB Manny Collins, LB Jerry Mackey, and WR Shaine Smith.

No surprise, considering all the visits Robertson has been making in recent weeks, and it also clarifies what the Jets need at the NFL Draft. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has said he wants to build this team primarily through the draft, and these moves certainly make way for the six rookies who will be brought in to the minicamp May 2-4.

TE Chris Baker switched over to Pete Kendall’s agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, who represented former Jets NT Pete Kendall. Baker is unhappy that his strong performance salary hasn’t been rewarded with a renegotiated contract, even as the Jets have paid for free agent talent.

Baker asked for a trade and was denied, and his new agents have met with the team twice. He’s sitting out of the voluntary workouts now. Anyone worried that this could turn into Kendall II?

St. Louis is officially on the clock now that Miami has signed Jake Long as the No. 1 pick in the draft.”The first domino has fallen” said ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

With the contract signed—reportedly $30 million in guarantees in a $57 million, five-year deal—prospects can start thinking about where they will fall on the pay pyramid.

Jets director of player personnel Terry Bradway had some interesting things to say about the difference in college and NFL offenses, and how that makes it more challenging to evaluate a prospect.

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Order the pizza: these times are straight from the nets.
Keep in mind that the official Saturday start time has been pushed back this year from noon to 3 p.m.

ESPN 2008 draft coverage
Saturday, April 26
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.— Four-hour SportsCenter Special: On the Clock
3 p.m. – 8 p.m.—NFL Draft telecast, rounds 1 and 2 on ESPN.
8 p.m. to end—conclusion of draft on ESPN2.

Sunday, April 27.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.—Rounds 3 through 7.

NFL Network draft coverage
Saturday, April 26
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.—NFL Total Access Pre-Draft Show
3 p.m. – 11 p.m.—2008 NFL Draft Rounds 1-2
11 p.m. – midnight—NFL Total Access Day One Draft Coverage

Sunday, April 27
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.—NFL Total Access Pre-Draft Show
10a.m. – 7 p.m.—2008 NFL Draft Rounds 3-7
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.—NFL Total Access Day Two Draft Coverage

Monday, April 28
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.—NFL Total Access Draft Recap Show

We have a draft preview here, focusing on Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. His agent Ian Greengross said McFadden would love to be a Jet.

I spoke with Arkansas running backs coach Tim Horton, and he was very positive about McFadden. Now at this time of year, that’s to be expected. He was one of the people Jets coaches spoke to when they went down, and Horton told them about McFadden’s work ethic. The player was always on time, always ready, never moody and couldn’t go to the Fayetteville Wendy’s without causing a stir of autograph-seekers.

At the moment, McFadden, Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston or Boston College QB Matt Ryan could be available at No. 6. That’s a good problem to have.

Last week Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum was asked about defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, and gave the 2003 draft pick the kind of vote of confidence that could easily mean—Pack your bags, kid.

“He’s on the roster and will be here unless something changes,” Tannenbaum said.

Ouch.

Should be no surprise then that The Wilmington (Del.) News Journal is reporting today that Robertson, whose status became uncertain when the Jets signed nose tackle Kris Jenkins, is meeting with the Eagles.

If he’s not going to fit in the defense next year, he’s right to get into a better scheme now. These players have short careers for the most part, and there’s no need to wait a year to prove what he already knows.

Darren McFadden has gotten a lot of attention from the Jets. And clearly the team wants the world to know about it. On Wednesday night they took the Arkansas running back to a boxing match at the Hammerstein Ballroom, where a couple thousand people had the opportunity to spot them.

Very subtle.

With all the subterfuge involved in the NFL Draft, this was the equivalent of taking a bullhorn and proposing in the middle of Times Square. Ruse? We will see, but if Oakland goes with Vernon Gholston at No. 4, chill the champagne.

As for the word that boxing announcer Teddy Atlas, who trains the team during the season, has given his blessing to the McFadden pick despite character issues, I wouldn’t be too sure. There isn’t a lot of time to look into the soul while you’re on ESPN broadcasting a fight, which is how the two met on Wednesday.

Mark your calendars, the Mets are holding Jets night at Shea Stadium on April 28 during a game against the Pirates.

Former Pro Bowlers Joe Klecko, Wesley Walker, Jets Linebacker Legend Greg Buttle, and Super Bowl III Champions Randy Beverly and John Schmitt will be in attendance. Tickets (www.mets.com) start at $5, which leaves plenty of change for peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Ummm….