Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Jets to host quarterback prospects Manuel, Smith

BY NICK ST. DENIS

It's highly improbable that the New York Jets take a quarterback in the first round of the 2013 draft, but they're doing their due diligence.

And there's always a second (and third) round. (photo: Dave Wilkinson, Flickr)

Gang Green is reportedly slated to play host to former Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel and ex-West Virginia signal-caller Geno Smith this week.

According to ESPN New York, Manuel will travel to Florham Park Tuesday "for an overnight visit" with the Jets before Smith meets with the team Wednesday and Thursday. NFL Network reported the latter visit.

While the Jets seem likely to give Mark Sanchez a last-gasp chance to keep his career as a starting quarterback afloat, it wouldn't be a surprise if they took a flyer on a young signal-caller with a early-mid-round draft pick to work behind Sanchez and recently-acquired veteran David Garrard.

New York will probably target outside linebacker with the ninth-overall selection but could go quarterback with their second-round, 39th-overall pick. While Smith should be gone by then, Manuel, or Syracuse's Ryan Nassib, could be had early in the second.

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