While the Jets have previously been linked to quarterbacks more likely to be taken in the second round, they’re starting to show some real interest in the consensus best signal caller in the 2013 draft.
New York is hosting Geno Smith on a two-day visit on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Jets hold the No. 9 pick in the NFL draft and could acquire the No. 13 pick as well if Darrelle Revis is traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If the Jets feel Smith won’t be there at No. 9, they could package both picks and move up by trading with a team that’s not interested in taking the West Virginia product. Among teams picking before New York, the Chiefs acquired Alex Smith, the Jaguars still have Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne, the Raiders acquired Matt Flynn, the Eagles re-signed Michael Vick, the Lions have Matthew Stafford, the Browns drafted Brandon Weeden in the first round last year, the Cardinals traded for Carson Palmer and signed Drew Stanton, and the Bills have a major void with just Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson and Aaron Corp on the roster.
The problem for the Jets may not be ability to move up if they acquire the No. 13 pick, but to where they would need to move up. Buffalo is the only team picking before the Jets that has a major hole at the position.
The Jets already signed David Garrard this offseason, while Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Matt Simms and Greg McElroy are still on the roster. Tebow is expected to be cut or traded before the season. Sanchez essentially can’t be cut or traded because New York would take too big a hit to its salary cap.
