His father, Doug, raised him to be a winner, to be strong, to be a model for others. Doug died three weeks after Darren’s 14th birthday.

When Jets general manager Darren Mougey turns in his first pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday night – he starts the day holding onto the No. 7 overall selection – it’ll mark the fifth time in the last 20 years a new regime has gotten its chance to shape the Jets through the draft.

After 13 years in background roles with the Denver Broncos -- from scouting intern to assistant general manager -- Darren Mougey is out front, preparing to direct his first draft from the big chair as the New York Jets' general manager.