Geno Smith Makes Case To Be Kansas City Chiefs’ No. 1 Pick

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith entered the NFL Scouting Combine already perceived as the best passer in a clustered Class of 2013 — a group of signal-callers that includes USC’s Matt Barkley, NC State’s Mike Glennon, Florida State’s E.J. Manuel, Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones, Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib and Tennessee’s Tyler Bray.

After running an official 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, Smith is an even more intriguing player to watch. An added athletic dimension to the pocket passer only increases the value of the Mountaineer. Smith’s time was the fastest time among quarterbacks, as Manuel (4.65) and Wilson (4.95) were the only aforementioned passers to break the five-second mark.

Although Smith’s 4.59 isn’t challenging the record-setting 4.41 run by Robert Griffin III before being picked No. 2 overall by the Washington Redskins last year, it is the same time Cam Newton ran two years ago before going No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers.

Smith was not only fast but explosive — posting an impressive 33.5” vertical leap and 10’4” broad jump in Indianapolis. The 6’2”, 218-pounder also spun the ball well as a throwing quarterback during position drills with the receivers. The only potential downside of the Combine experience for Smith has been his hand measurement of 9 ¼” — compared to Barkley’s 10 1/8” and Manuel’s 10 3/8” hands.

Still, Smith has shown enough to be considered a viable option for coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 1 overall as well as several other quarterback-starved teams picking in the top-10 — including the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 2), Oakland Raiders (3), Cleveland Browns (6), Arizona Cardinals (7), Buffalo Bills (8) and New York Jets (9).

One thing is certain, Smith made himself millions of dollars by competing on the biggest stage in NFL scouting. In fact, running, jumping and throwing at the Combine may have secured Smith the top spot in the NFL Draft on April 25.