Listening to Terry Bradway assess the state of the Jets as they enter tomorrow’s first round of the NFL Draft, you’d think he was retooling a defending Super Bowl-champion roster.

Bradway, the Jets’ general manager, has talked about how “fun” this offseason has been, despite the obvious pressures that go along with a 6-10 previous season and the uncomfortable dynamic that has come with Herman Edwards’ contract extension and Bradway’s contract staying status quo.

He has talked about entering this draft with no glaring needs, believing the offseason free agent moves such as the trade for WR Justin McCareins and the free agent signings of CB David Barrett, SS Reggie Tongue and LB Eric Barton have improved the team to such a great degree there is no pressure to draft a starting-caliber player with their No. 12 overall pick.

Bradway is wrong here. He’s either whistling past the graveyard or he’s brainwashed himself into thinking these things.

His job is on the line, beginning with this draft. Granted, he’s not the only decision maker in this process, but he is the top-level man on Woody Johnson’s football staff. And, so far, last year’s bold trade up to the No. 4 spot in the first round to pick DT Dewayne Robertson isn’t looking so great.

Again, in Bradway’s defense, you can’t judge a player at Robertson’s position on merely one season. But Robertson, who was only ordinary at best last season, had better perform a lot closer to his draft spot pedigree this year or Bradway will really begin to feel some heat on the commode seat.

“I don’t think Dewayne played up to his expectations or anybody else’s last year, but we’re excited about what he can do for us this year,” Bradway said. “I think we put too much pressure on these rookies to come in and expect them to make an immediate impact.”

Bradway needs to make a positive impact in this draft. With the No. 12 pick, he must find a starting-caliber player, whether that means trading up to get one of the two top cornerbacks – Virginia Tech’s DeAngelo Hall or South Carolina’s Dunta Robinson or even Miami TE Kellen Winslow (a pie in the sky dream).

The more likely scenario is Bradway grudgingly accepting a trade down after the two corners are picked, and settling on Miami LB Jonathan Vilma or his teammate, D.J. Williams.

The only thing that’s virtually certain about tomorrow’s first-round move the Jets will make is that they’ll address defense.

With no second-round pick, they’ll likely go after a guard in the third round, with South Carolina’s Travelle Wharton and North Carolina State’s Sean Locklear on their radar. Both Wharton and Locklear are tackles who can convert to guard.

In later rounds, look for the Jets to take at least one receiver prospect. Colorado WR Derek McCoy, a 6-3 1/4, 210-pounder, is a tough, productive possession receiver whom they like. They, too, are looking at Syracuse DT Christian Ferrara, an overachiever who recorded 16 ½ tackles for a loss and three sacks last season.

In all, the Jets, who’ve had only 18 total picks in the last three drafts, have 10 picks in this year’s draft. Bradway had best make good use of them. Depending on how 2004 unfolds, it could be the last draft he conducts for the Jets.

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In the Jets’ stream

Here are three players who would look good as members of Gang Green:

FIRST ROUND:

JONATHAN VILMA, LB, Miami, 6-0½, 233. Recorded 133 tackles in 13 games and led team with 127 tackles. Two-time team captain. Known as terrific sideline-to-sideline player and strong tackler. Runs 4.57 in the 40. Likely Jets could trade down a few slots from No. 12 to take him if two top CBs are already picked.

THIRD ROUND

TRAVELLE WHARTON, T/G, South Carolina, 6-3½, 312. Good athleticism and size. Team captain; leader type who’s a hard worker. Runs 5.12 40. Needs to develop strength. He’s played mostly tackle, so question is whether he can switch to guard.

LATER ROUNDS

DEREK McCOY, WR, Colorado, 6-3, 210. Productive possession receiver who caught 63 passes and scored 11 TDs in senior year and played in West Coast offensive system. Known for great work ethic and character. He, too, can help immediately on special teams, evidenced by blocked punt last season.