With the Jets’ final pick in the 2011 draft, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and many of their coaches wanted to select Central Michigan inside linebacker Nick Bellore.
The problem: Head coach Rex Ryan, per tradition, was allowed to make their final pick and he selected Colorado wide receiver Scotty McKnight as a favor to quarterback Mark Sanchez, who grew up with McKnight.
Ryan, who later called Bellore to offer him a free-agent contract he accepted, explained the Jets hadn’t drafted him because “you’re not the quarterback’s best friend!