Geno Smith, QB

04/25/2013 - DANE BRUGLER'S FINAL 2013 DRAFT BOARD: 35. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia (6-2, 218, 4SR)...Although he can't be ruled out as the No. 1 overall pick with his passing skill set, Smith isn't a flawless prospect. And there are concerns about his pro potential. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

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Smith, possessing a legitimate NFL combination of size, mobility and arm strength, completed more than 65 percent of his passes over the 2010-11 seasons, throwing for a combined 55 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions.

He appeared to be a shoo-in for the Heisman Trophy during a red-hot start to 2012, but then ran into significant issues in blowout losses to Texas Tech and Kansas State.

Over the first five games (five wins), he completed 81.4 percent of his passes with an astonishing 24-to-0 TD-to-INT ratio. Then, against Texas Tech and K-State, Smith had just a 57.5 completion percentage and two touchdowns, along with his first two interceptions of the season.

In those two games, the opposing offenses jumped out to big leads and Smith struggled to rally his team and answer with the big plays that wowed us earlier this season. Against the Wildcats, he appeared hesitant and a tad gun-shy with his longest completion going for just 13 yards.

Smith stayed tough in the pocket, but his mental toughness has been questioned as he appeared uncontrollably discouraged on the sideline and had little answers for Kansas State's good, but far from great defense.

He could still prove to be a Top 10 pick and visited with numerous teams for private workouts leading up to the draft, but Smith has traits that will also scare off many teams in search of a franchise quarterback.

STRENGTHS: Possesses all of the traits scouts are looking for in a franchise quarterback. Can make every NFL throw, showing pinpoint accuracy on short, intermediate and deep routes. Very good deep ball passer. Has the touch and accuracy to lead his receivers away from defenders. Quick setup and delivery. Has a fluid, over-the-top release which makes up for less-than-ideal but adequate height. Has generally shown the confidence to drive passes through tight windows, throwing his receivers open even when they are covered. Good athleticism to slide in and around the pocket to buy time. Good field vision. Checks down to his second and third options. Has the speed and elusiveness to gain yards in chunks but will exhaust his passing options before running. Hard worker.

WEAKNESSES: His confidence was shaken noticeably during the 2012 season. Fails to account for blitzers too often for a quarterback with his experience. Inconsistent setup and delivery, failing to set his feet and resulting in some fluttering passes. Has struggled in poor weather conditions, including the final game of his career (New Era Pinstripe Bowl). Demonstrative leadership will be considered a negative by some. Took virtually all of his snaps out of the shotgun in a relatively simple offense.

COMPARES TO: Alex Smith, Chiefs -- Each is a highly efficient, accurate passer with the mobility to force defenses to account for their dual-threat capabilities, with Geno being the more accurate deep-ball passer but the same questions apply to the WVU product -- will his skills translate to a more traditional, NFL offense?

--Rob Rang