2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Profile: New York Jets QB Geno Smith


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The biggest storyline from the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft was the fall of West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, who had been mentioned as a possible top-five overall pick. The New York Jets used the 39th overall pick on Smith, and he now enters what can kindly be classified as a cluttered depth chart.

Smith was an early Heisman Trophy candidate in 2012 before a midseason five-game losing streak by the Mountaineers took him off the radar. But his overall numbers were still excellent, with 4,205 passing yards (tied for third in the country), 42 passing touchdowns (first in the country) and six interceptions, while completing over 71 percent of his passes and posting a 163.9 passer rating (fifth in the country). Smith topped 4,000 passing yards in both of his seasons with Dana Holgorsen in place as West Virginia’s head coach, with 73 total touchdown passes and just 13 interceptions.

The Jets made an overdue move by releasing Tim Tebow last week, but Mark Sanchez, David Garrard, Greg McElroy and Matt Simms are still around under center right now. Sanchez and Garrard will likely join Smith at the forefront of the competition for the starting job in fairly short order, and time will clearly tell who starts Week 1. It’s still possible Sanchez is traded or released at some point, which would obviously alter things.

Leaving out any challenges, real or perceived, that Smith has in terms of climbing the depth chart, a lack of skill position talent around him is likely to hold him back as a rookie. Santonio Holmes, the Jets’ most proven wide receiver, missed 12 games due to a left foot injury last season and at age 29 may be on the downside of his career. Jeremy Kerley led the team in receptions (56) and receiving yards (827) in 2012, but after that the most productive wide receiver that is still on the roster for 2013 was Stephen Hill (21 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns). The departure of tight end Dustin Keller via free agency also hurts an already inept passing game.

Smith’s fantasy value for 2013 is largely dependent on if he wins the starting job right out of the gate, but even if he opens the season backing up Sanchez or Garrard significant playing time could easily come at some point. I think Smith has too much working against him to be draftable in most fantasy leagues, but it is possible he emerges as a viable waiver wire addition in deep leagues.

Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.

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