Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo Visting Jets Wednesday

Rich Cimini of ESPN reports that Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo is visiting the New York Jets Wednesday, per a source.

• Cimini adds that the Jets are “said to be interested,” which comes as no surprise on the heels of the visit.

Garoppolo is widely projected to be chosen on day two of the NFL Draft.  He has a good arm, and excellent vision, touch and accuracy on short and intermediate throws.

The Jets brought in QB Michael Vick this offseason to compete with incumbent starter QB Geno Smith.  Adding Garoppolo to the mix could be seen as an indicator of the Jets’ confidence in Smith’s ability to be the long term starter.

New York has several pressing needs, particularly at wide receiver.  Using a second or third-round pick on Garoppolo would signal that the organization rates him very highly.

Garoppolo threw for a staggering 5,050 yards as a senior in Eastern Illinois’s pass-happy offense.  He tallied 53 touchdowns against only 9 interceptions.

We have Garoppolo going seventh in round two, to Jacksonville in our 2014 NFL Mock Draft.