Buffalo Bills Draft Rumors: Geno Smith To Meet Ahead of NFL Draft, Quarterback Could Replace Ryan Fitzpatrick As Cleveland Browns Interested

Mar 20, 2013 03:26 PM EDT

Geno Smith is one of the most talked about players in the upcoming NFL Draft and there are a number of possibilities about where he could be taken, including with the number eight overall pick to the Buffalo Bills where he would help replace Ryan Fitzpatrick.

According to NFL.com, the Bills are scheduled to meet with Smith on Friday and have already scouted him at the combine in Indianapolis as well as at the West Virginia Pro Day. The report says that the team is planning to meet with Smith on Friday and that a number of other teams will also sit down with him, including the Cleveland Browns.

"I had a private workout on Monday that was with the Eagles that went well," said Smith following his workout to BuffaloBills.com. "I've got something coming up with the Bills on the 22nd. As of right now I would expect between 10 to 12 (pre-draft visits), maybe more."

Smith was excellent in his pro day for nearly 30 teams while working with his West Virginia teammates, completing 60-of-64 passes with two being dropped and the other two overthrown. The Cardinals, Seahawks and Cowboys were the teams not in attendance while Smith worked with Tavon Austin.

Smith showed off his skills under center as well as from the shotgun formation and impressed scouts the same way he did last season when he threw for 4,205 yards and was first in the nation with 42 touchdowns. The Bills have the eighth pick in the draft and after releasing starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the team has Tavaris Jackson as their primary starter.

Fitzpatrick went just 20-33 as a starter and was a disappointment after signing a six-year $59 million contract in 2011. He passed for 3,400 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he also had 16 interceptions and the Bills were one of the worst passing teams in the league. The Bills went 6-10 and missed the playoffs again and Smith could be the player that finally sticks after the team went through tons of quarterbacks after Jim Kelly, including Doug Flutie and Trent Edwards.

The Bills have also looked into quarterback Ryan Nassib of Syracuse, as he was the starter for new head coach Doug Marrone before moving to the NFL. The team saw his pro day and they also are planning to scout Tyler Wilson of Arkansas.

The Jaguars have met with Smith and they could take him with the second overall pick, as they like the fact that he threw 25 touchdowns before throwing his first pick last season. The teams ahead of the bills could be trouble, including the Jaguars, Browns and Raiders, who all could possibly take Smith

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