New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has expressed his belief that Geno Smith is "way ahead" of Draft prospect Marcus Mariota as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Smith has struggled immensely in his two seasons in the NFL, and was benched for a period of the 2014 season in favour of Michael Vick, before regaining his place at the end of the campaign.

Reports have suggested that the Jets could use the sixth overall pick in the 2015 Draft on the highly-rated Mariota, but Johnson feels that Smith would be ahead of the 21-year-old for selection as the club's starting quarterback.

"We haven't made that determination," Johnson told reporters. "Geno's probably way ahead of [Mariota] at this point, believe it or not - whether you guys have scepticism of that or not."

Smith has thrown for 5,571 yards along with 25 touchdowns to 34 interceptions in his two seasons in the NFL.