The New York Jets selected linebacker/defensive end Vernon Gholston with the sixth pick in the 2008 draft.

As it turns out, however, Gholston was the Jets’ Plan C.

The Jets initially wanted to jump up to No. 2 to get defensive end Chris Long, according to Gary Myers of the New York Daily News.  But when a deal couldn’t be struck, the Jets opted to focus on running back Darren McFadden.

And when the Raiders picked McFadden, then Gholston became the focus.

The effort to move to No. 2 went nowhere because the price that the Rams put on the transaction was “exorbitant.”