The NFL Draft can be a cruel place sometimes for a falling prospect, and that is exactly what it was for West Virginia quarterback prospect Geno Smith Thursday night.
Smith sat in the audience waiting for his name to be called, only to watch the few teams with quarterback needs like the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills trade out of their spots. Then, when it was time for the Bills to make their pick, they pulled the biggest surprise of the first round and selected E.J. Manuel with the 16th pick. Manuel, a quarterback out of Florida State was expected by many to be on the board in the third round.
The second biggest snub was for Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, whom many expected to be taken ahead of Smith simply because his former head coach for the Orange, Doug Marrone, is now coaching the Bills. Familiarity was not in his favor with Marrone, however, as they clearly think Manuel was a better fit.
A third player who has lasted longer than expected is Notre Dame linebacker and Heisman Trophy candidate Manti Te'o, who was the best player on a national championship-caliber defense. Te'o was considered a match for the New York Giants, who selected Nassib's teammate Justin Pugh, an offensive lineman out of Syracuse, and the Minnesota Vikings, who passed on him on three occasions.
Finally, the fact that USC quarterback Matt Barkley remains on the board in the second round is startling when it is considered that had he entered the draft after last season, he would have been the third quarterback off the board. He is the Pac-12 career leader in completions, yards, attempts and passing touchdowns, but despite the gaudy totals his stock fell because of the Trojans' disappointing season and a drop-off in his own play. Still, he threw for over 3,000 yards in 2012 and tossed 36 touchdowns, a large number even when coupled with 15 interceptions.
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