In the NFL, fortunes and futures change fast.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith is feeling the full force of the league's fickle, uncertain nature right at this very moment.
The former second-round draft pick out of the University of Maryland is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season and he's already feeling the pain of the potential separation.
"As bad as it is not going to the playoffs, that's a horrible feeling knowing that it's a possibility that I might not be here next year," Smith said, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "But I'm not really worried about that. I'm trying to win this game and see what happens."
The 25-year-old Smith has become one of the league's best deep threats - since 2011, he's got 20 receptions of 30 yards or more, good enough for fourth in the league - but he's never developed into the dependable, primary wide receiver the team surely envisioned when they drafted him so highly - over that same span, he has only 209 catches, placing him 50th among wideouts.
This season, he's caught 45 passes for 684 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"My season has been so up and down," Smith said. "For me, I have very high expectations for myself. To me, it's a big disappointment. That's my personal opinion. I wasn't as consistent as I wanted to be. I know it could've been better for various reasons. No. 1 reason being myself. I look at myself in my mirror. I guarantee you it won't be like that next year or when we get in the playoffs."
Placing a value on Smith, especially in a free agent year seemingly bursting with wide receiver talent - granted, most of which won't ever actually hit the market - is a difficult proposition.
Smith has said that his preference is to stay in Baltimore long-term. He's become a strong locker room presence and has the respect of quarterback Joe Flacco - perhaps he and the team can come together on a reasonable pact jointly beneficial for both parties.
But until the season's final game has been played and the offseason officially arrives, Smith says his concern lies solely with finding a way to win.
"You have to be locked in on what's going on. That's winning," Smith said. "I'm always going to give my all and winning. Obviously, all that stuff takes care of itself."
