This is the second installment of our New York Jets position-by-position breakdown as we head to the April 30 draft:

Position: Quarterback

Current personnel: Geno Smith (signed through 2016), Ryan Fitzpatrick (2015), Matt Simms (2015).

Projected starter: Fitzpatrick.

Departures: Michael Vick (free agent).

Total cap charge: $5.2 million (rank: 27th)

Scouting report: Coach Todd Bowles says he'd like to add another quarterback. Good idea. Since Chad Pennington was booted in 2008, none of the Jets' eight quarterbacks with at least 10 passes in a season finished with a QBR above 50 -- and 50 is considered only average. The lack of a franchise quarterback, which has haunted the Jets for decades, is the single biggest reason for the Super Bowl drought.

Despite another inconsistent season, Smith gets first dibs on the job, but his scholarship is over. The new regime has no loyalty to the former second-round pick and it wouldn't be a shock if Fitzpatrick emerges as the opening-day starter. He's the quintessential journeyman, but he can play well for stretches and -- this is important -- he already knows Chan Gailey's offense. He'll miss the offseason as he recovers from the broken leg, but he should be ready for training camp. Let's face it, there are no sure things on the roster, so look for general manager Mike Maccagnan to address quarterback at some point in the draft.

The last quarterback drafted: Tajh Boyd, sixth round, 2014. He was released in the preseason.

Potential targets: The Jets have spent a lot of time on Oregon's Marcus Mariota, attending his pro day and working him out privately. Yes, they like him, but enough to take with the sixth pick? If he falls to six, Maccagnan would face possibly his biggest decision as the GM. Some see Mariota as a system quarterback, but many feel he can succeed in a pro-style offense because he has enough arm talent and strong intangibles. Consider: He posted an FBS-leading 90.9 QBR last season even though he didn't have a top receiving talent. And let's not forget, Gailey runs a spread-style offense, which could ease the transition. The Jets would be crazy to pass on him, but you never know.

After Mariota, there's a huge dropoff. Some experts believe Mariota and Florida State's Jameis Winston are the only future starters. The Jets really like Winston, off-the-field concerns and all, but he's expected to go No. 1 overall. As for the second tier, they conducted a private workout with UCLA's Brett Hundley (125 career sacks), who has intriguing physical tools but lacks instincts for the position. They hosted Baylor's Bryce Petty (only 48 snaps under center in '14) and Colorado State's Garrett Grayson (mediocre against top competition) for pre-draft visits. Petty is the top senior, but he's a product of a one-read, spread offense. A sleeper: Brandon Bridge (South Alabama). He's raw, but he has a cannon.

Need rating (scale of 1 to 10): 10