Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith’s Redemption – Pt. 1 Welcome to the NFL
Ed Stein
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Not the Way it was Supposed to Happen
For this installment of Geno Smith’s redemption, we travel in the “Way Back Machine” to 2013. Smith just finished up a dynamite senior season at West Virginia. He threw for 4,205 yards and 42 touchdowns.
The Mountaineers had the ninth-ranked scoring offense in the country at 39.5 points per game. Smith wasn’t why they finished 7-6. WVU’s defense allowed 38.1 points per game, seventh-worst in FBS. But at least he got experience playing in offensive shootouts.
Going into the NFL Draft, many experts had him as the best quarterback in the class. Here are some pre-draft evaluations.
Smith doesn’t have an elite skill set and still has some developing to do. In particular, his footwork and mechanics need work, which will help improve his intermediate-to-deep accuracy, which is inconsistent at times. However, he is a fierce competitor who can become dangerously efficient when he catches a rhythm. And while he is a pocket passer first and foremost, he has the athleticism to turn a negative into a positive when the play breaks down. He won’t turn around the franchise immediately, but if handled the right way Smith could turn into a solid starter.
Scouts Inc./ESPN
Though Smith has had his ups and downs as a passer in West Virginia’s prolific spread offense, NFL general managers appreciate his ultra-competitive nature, athleticism, arm strength and quick delivery. The Mountaineer turned down a Senior Bowl invitation after regressing in the second half of the season following a strong start. Smith’s eye level and pocket movement can be great, but he reverted back to staring down his first read. During his sophomore season, Smith played in an offense where he frequently took snaps from center, so he might have a leg up compared to some other prospects in that regard. – Aaron Brooks, NFL.com
Aaron Brooks, NFL.com
Of all the quarterbacks entering the 2013 NFL draft, Geno Smith stands the best chance of being selected in Round 1. Smith’s scouting report is full of positives, and watching him play, it’s clear he has the physical tools to become a capable starting NFL quarterback—if not a dynamic playmaker and the face of a franchise.
Jesse Reed, Bleacher Report
Smith has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback. He has the skill set to be a quality starter, but needs good talent around him. Whether or not Smith pans out will depend largely on him landing with a good, stable coaching staff. –
Walter Football
Things didn’t go as planned. EJ Manuel from Florida State was the only quarterback taken in the first round (16th overall, Buffalo). Smith hung around until the 39th pick when the Jets selected him. At the time, getting Smith in the second round was considered a steal.