Late word on Sunday had the Jets agreeing to a trade that would send defensive tackle Dewyane Robertson to Cincinnati.

The Bengals run a 4-3 defense would would be more conducive to Robertson’s skill set, as opposed to playing in the 3-4 as a nose tackle for the past two seasons under the Mangini reign.  Robertson’s cap number for 2008 was also motivation for this deal, especially with the Jets giving new acquisitons Alan Faneca and Kris Jenkins in the neighborhood of $20 million in guaranteed money.
Although Robertson was maligned, he did record 57 tackes in 2007, 20 of those being solo, with 4 quarterback sacks. Robertson was ranked 41st among defensive lineman in a statistical analysis for defensive lineman compiled by CBS Sportsline. The breakdown ranked both ends and tackles according to the same criterion.

By comparison, Ty Warren of New England was ranked 42nd, Vince Wilfork 52nd and teammate Sean Ellis was ranked 45th. Jason Taylor was the overall leader in these rankings, followed by Trent Cole of the Eagles, and 2nd-year player Mario Williams.

The man who will replace Robertson, Kris Jenkins, checked in at #63 in these rankings.

The Jets would reportedly receive the Bengals’ 4th and 5th round selections in the upcoming draft as part of the deal. Cincinnati previously had a deal in place for Detroit’s Shaun Rogers, which later fell through. The Lions were later able to deal Rogers to Cleveland for a 3rd round choice and cornerback Leigh Bodden.

The Robertson deal recoups the 5th round pick for the Jets, used to acquire Kris Jenkins, as well as a 4th round selection.  The Jets essentially dealt Robertson for Jenkins, and downgraded from a 3rd to 4th rounder, as well as dropping about a dozen spots in the 5th round.

Currently the Jets have eight (8) total choices: their own 1st and 2nd Round Selections, and three (3) fourth round selections. Their own, New Orleans 4th Round Selection for Jonathan Vilma, and now the Bengals’ 4th round selection. They have the Bengals’ 5th round selection, along with their own 6th & 7th round draft choices.

In 2009, they will receive a 4th-round selection from Washington from the Pete Kendall deal, as well as a conditional 2nd or 3rd from New Orleans in the Vilma deal. If the Jets get the conditional pick, they would send their own 4th rounder to New Orleans.