As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 22: Geno Smith
Last year’s ranking: 14
Position: Quarterback
Age: 24
How acquired: Selected in the second round of the 2013 Draft
Years left on contract: 2
2015 Salary Cap figure: $1.37 million
Looking back at 2014: In his second season, Smith remained maddeningꦡly inconsistent for the Jets coaches. He had some really positive moments (a perfect QB rating in the season finale with the Dolphins) and some downright awful ones (three interceptions in 12 plays against the Bills in Week 8). He was benched mid𒐪way through the season and then regained the starting job because Michael Vick was not any better.
Smith completed 59.7 percent of his passes and threw 13 touchdowns with 1🌟3 interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown. He ♑did very little to inspire confidence he can be any type of long-term solution at quarterback.
Pro Football Focus ranked Smith 36th out of 39 quarterbacks they graded. He received only two positive grades from the weꦕbsite in 14 games.
Smith did not appear to improve in aඣny aspect of the game during his second year as the starter. According to PFF, he had the worst deep bal🤪l percentage in the NFL except for two rookies – Blake Bortles and Derek Carr. He also was the worst passer when under pressure.
Smith gets locked in on his first option too often and holds onto the ball♏ too 𝄹long. He held the ball 2.6 seconds or more on 61.2 percent of his dropbacks, according to PFF, the worst mark in the league.
There was a lജot of hope around Smith entering last sea🌟son, but that hope faded quickly.
Outlook for 2015: Itꦯ appears as if Smith will be the starter on opening day against the Browns. Coach Todd Bowles has said it’s Smith’s job to lose, and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey made it sound like Smith won’t lose it unless he gets injured.
This has to be Smith’s final chance with the Jets. There is a new regime with no ties to the decision to draft Smith in 2013, and they should not have anyꩵ hidden agendas or allegiances to him. Simply put, if Smith struggles, they have to go to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick quickly. If the new coaching staff saw enough on film to tab Smith as the starter this season, he probably gets four games before they might make a change. Conveniently, the Jets’ bye week comes after their fourth game.
The Jets made major upgrades on defense this year and traded for Brandon Marshall to improve their wide rec🗹eiver corps. The Jets appear to be a playoff contender on paper if Smith plays well. If he struggles, another losing season could be on its way. If it does not click for Smith this season, he may be starting ovඣer somewhere else in 2016 or at least riding the bench for the Jets watching his replacement.