Most draft observers project Geno Smith as the top quarterback in the 2013 draft class. Most, but not all, as Pro Football Weekly indicates in its draft preview.
The magazine wasn't particularly high on Smith in its original, newsstand draft preview, and it really trashes him in the lengthier scouting preview excerpted online. Work ethic, leadership ability and hand size are all areas where the writer, Nolan Nawrocki, finds Smith lacking. There's even an Akili Smith comparison.
Smith and his college quarterback coach responded critically to the profile, understandably. Right now, Smith looks like one of the more controversial quarterback prospects in recent years. He's been compared favorably to Ryan Tannehill, drafted at No. 8 overall by the Dolphins, and connected with teams drafting in the top 5 -- Jacksonville and Oakland, for example.
On the flip side, it's interesting to note that the teams most in need of a quarterback, several of whom have top-10 picks, have gone out of their way to acquire and pay veterans who appear certain to start in 2013. Buffalo (Kevin Kolb), Oakland (Matt Flynn) and Arizona (Carson Palmer) could use an early pick on a quarterback, but all are paying good money for this season to a veteran. Either they aren't terribly interested in Smith or the other top quarterback prospects, or don't think there's much chance of one of those guys being an immediate starter. Do you pay a veteran $6 million or $8 million this season if you're planning on selecting Smith at the top of the draft?
Smith has a big arm, good size, and athletic ability, but he's not a prolific runner, and operated almost exclusively out of the shotgun in college. Landing spot will be critical; will he get the coaching he needs and the time to develop? It's possible teams hoping to select him have simply decided they don't want him to start as a rookie, hence the decisions to ensure a stopgap veteran is in place (e.g., Kolb, Flynn).
Or maybe Smith actually does go No. 2 to Jacksonville. Not, of course, if the Jaguars are fans of Pro Football Weekly.
--Andy Richardson