Free agent Brad Smith's Jets future is "tenuous" after the team drafted Jeremy Kerley in the fifth round Saturday.

Smith received a second-round restricted free agent tender, but the Jets may no longer even be willing to pay that because Kerley will be much cheaper, and can do most of the things Smith can. The Jets project Kerley, who is quicker than fast, as a slot receiver with return value. Kerley was the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year as both a junior and senior.

Impending free agent WR/KR Brad Smith could have the most to lose if the NFL follows through with the Competition Committee's suggestion to move kickoffs up to the 35-yard line.

Depending on the CBA, Smith would have hit the open market as a valuable returner and gadget player. A good portion of that value goes out the window if the majority of kickoffs result in touchbacks. Teams will invest far less money in special teams, period.

Jets extended restricted free agent tenders to WR Brad Smith, QB Kellen Clemens, S Eric Smith, CB Drew Coleman, and K Nick Folk.

Brad Smith drew a second-round tender. Clemens and Eric Smith were both tendered at the third-round level while Coleman and Folk were handed sixth-round offers. All of the players have at least four years of experience, so the tenders are unlikely to stick.

The Jets will let WR Brad Smith become an unrestricted free agent.

They surely want their special teams ace back, but need to worry about re-signing David Harris, Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes first. Smith was a game-breaker this season, but seems primed to get overpaid by a team looking for a spark, on special teams or otherwise.

Coach Rex Ryan confirmed Thursday that the Jets will have all hands on deck in terms of health for the AFC Championship Game.

"Everybody is ready to roll," said Ryan, including receiver/gadget specialist Brad Smith. Smith, coming off a groin injury, has practiced all week and will be active for Sunday's matchup at Pittsburgh. In the regular season, the former college quarterback averaged three touches per game on offense.

Jets WR/KR Brad Smith (groin) participated in practice Wednesday.

Smith was nearly ready to go last weekend, and, barring a setback, he should be able to suit up for the AFC Championship Game. It's not clear if he'll be used only on special teams or if he'll be available on offense, as well.

Jets WR/KR Brad Smith (groin) said he wanted to play in Sunday's win over the Patriots, but coach Rex Ryan told him to wait a week.

This hints that Smith will be fine for Wildcat plays and kickoff returns in the AFC Championship Game. Even if he isn't, Antonio Cromartie has proven to be an asset on kick returns. The corner averaged 25.8 yards per return yesterday.

Jets declared WR/KR Brad Smith, FB John Conner, DE Vernon Gholston, DT Jarron Gilbert, TE Matt Mulligan, TE Jeff Cumberland, DT Marcus Dixon, and QB Kellen Clemens inactive for Sunday's Divisional Round matchup at New England.

Brad Smith (groin) returned to practice Thursday.

Smith should be good to go this weekend barring a setback. However, he's expected to only return kicks -- or at least that's what coach Rex Ryan wants the Patriots to believe.

Jets coach Rex Ryan confirmed Wednesday that he expects Brad Smith (groin) to play in the Divisional Round.

The Jets visit Foxboro at 4:30ET Sunday. Ryan said Smith would only play on kickoff returns, indicating that the Wildcat package isn't going to make many appearances against the Pats because Smith isn't 100 percent.

Brad Smith (groin) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.

He suited up for practice, but ESPN New York's Rich Cimini reports that he's been a bystander in special teams drills. Coach Rex Ryan has expressed optimism that Smith will be able to play this weekend, but the Jets will take it easy on him this early in the week.

Coach Rex Ryan sounded optimistic Monday that Brad Smith (groin) would be able to play against the Patriots.

Smith has the potential to be a game-changer in both the return game and on reverses. He ranked second in kick return average this season at 28.6 yards per return.

Jets WR Brad Smith left Saturday night's game in the first half with a quadricep injury.

The gadget skill player/special teamer is questionable to return.

Brad Smith rushed the ball five times for 60 yards and added one pass for 3 yards in Week 17 against the Bills.

Smith flashed his game-changing ability on the first drive, taking a snap from the wildcat formation 60 yards on the ground. He saw snaps from a variety of positions and proved to be a nice change of pace to Joe McKnight. Look for him to be a big part of the team's playoff game plan, though he's too inconsistent to put into fantasy lineups.

Brad Smith left Monday's Week 13 game in the third quarter with an apparent injury.

Joe McKnight was back to return a kick, but the Patriots squibbed it and John Conner got the return. We'll bring you more on Smith's status when we know more.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jets don't expect contract-year WR Brad Smith back in 2011.

Writes Schefter, "Deep down, the Jets and people around the league know that they have very little chance of re-signing wide receiver Brad Smith." Smith is a nice gadget player and special teamer, but has only four catches for 44 yards all season. Though we don't doubt Smith's situational value, a team is likely to be disappointed if he's pegged as an every-down wideout.

Brad Smith rushed three times for 55 yards and a touchdown, caught one pass for 23 yards, and totaled 122 yards and a touchdown on three kickoff returns against the Bengals in Week 12.

Smith was the "X" factor on a night where the Jets' offense bogged down and failed to move the chains. He gave the Jets a 10-7 lead early in the third quarter with a 53-yard run and added a shoeless 89-yard kickoff return TD in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. He won't be a fantasy factor against the Pats in Week 13.

X-rays on Brad Smith's jaw came back negative.

Smith suffered the injury in the second half of Sunday's win over the Patriots and later returned. He is expected to be fine for practice this week and may even end up starting with Braylon Edwards serving his punishment. Still, Smith is only a fantasy option in return yardage leagues.

Jets WR Brad Smith left Sunday's game with a jaw injury and is questionable to return.

The Jets will miss Smith, but only on special teams. Kyle Wilson will likely take over on kick returns.

Brad Smith is the leading candidate to be the Jets' No. 3 receiver while Santonio Holmes is suspended.

Smith will try to hold off David Clowney in camp, but neither receiver provides much upside as a receiver. Once Holmes gets back in Week 5, Smith will return to concentrating on special teams. Clowney isn't much more than a situational deep threat.