Jets trade up with Panthers to take versatile USC RB McKnight, trade Washington to Seahawks

Jets trade up, take RB McKnight, trade Washington

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets added another flashy and versatile option for Mark Sanchez and their suddenly high-powered offense, and then dealt the popular Leon Washington.

The Jets selected Southern California running back Joe McKnight, Sanchez’s former college teammate, after moving up and acquiring Carolina’s fourth-round pick Saturday. New York traded its fourth-rounder (No. 124) and sixth-rounder (No. 198) to the Panthers to move up to No. 112.

Shortly after drafting McKnight, the Jets traded Washington to Seattle, along with a seventh-rounder, for the Seahawks’ fifth-rounder. New York selected Kentucky fullback John Conner with the pick.

McKnight is regarded as an excellent multipurpose player who can be a change-of-pace back and punt returner. Rex Ryan also has Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Chauncey Washington, another former Trojan, on the roster.

“Whatever Coach Ryan wants me to play, I’ll play whatever,” McKnight said by phone from his home in River Ridge, La. “Whatever role he has for me in the package or whatever he wants me to do on the field, I’m going to do whatever.”

Add in recently acquired wide receiver Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery and Brad Smith, and Sanchez should have plenty of targets in his second season.

New York drafted Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson in the first round, 29th overall, and Massachusetts offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse in the second round.

The 5-foot-11, 198-pound McKnight, who made himself eligible for the draft after his junior season, is an elusive player who shows some good power for his size, along with good vision and patience. He was often compared to former USC star Reggie Bush because of his versatility.

“I’ve got some toughness to my game and I think I showed people this past year that I can work between the tackles somewhat,” McKnight said. “I did a decent job with that.”

Washington signed his tender contract offer last week and is recovering from a broken right leg, but became expendable when the Jets drafted McKnight. The former Pro Bowl kick returner suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula at Oakland on Oct. 25, and missed the rest of the season.

The Jets have done well in the fourth round lately. Washington (2006), Cotchery (2004), Dwight Lowery (2008) and Kerry Rhodes (2005) are all recent fourth-rounders who have been significant contributors for New York.

McKnight doesn’t come without concerns. He had a few injuries at USC that limited his production at times, and he sat out the Trojans’ Emerald Bowl victory against Boston College while the school investigated whether he violated NCAA rules.

McKnight, USC’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005, reportedly was seen driving a 2006 Land Rover that state records indicated was registered to businessman Scott Schenter. The Los Angeles Times reported in December that McKnight said he has never driven the SUV and it belonged to his girlfriend’s boss.

McKnight had 1,014 yards on 6.2 yards per carry and eight touchdowns during the team’s worst season since 2001 as the Trojans failed to make a BCS bowl and win the Pac-10 title for the first time in eight years.

He was considered one of the fastest players available in the draft with game-changing speed and elusiveness.

Conner, regarded as a top blocker, likely will be the backup to veteran Tony Richardson. He’s nicknamed “The Terminator” for his bone-crunching blocks and because he shares the name of one of the main characters in the Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.

After being granted a medical hardship as a freshman, Conner had 247 yards and four touchdowns on 54 carries for the Wildcats.