Report that Alex Smith will be traded to Washington in exchange for a 3rd round pick and a player to be named tomorrow.

Rapid Reaction: I almost don’t get it for Washington. Alex Smith has shown he is a top-10?ish QB. There’s only a handful of guys I think I’d want ahead of him for one season. HOWEVER. Is he good enough to bring Washington to the next level?- and are they good enough to win in the next 4-years? Is he even better than Kirk Cousins? Now, Washington clearly thinks so, but is he? Alex Smith has never been one to shoulder an offense, and if recent history is any indication, Kirk has done more with less.

Let’s take a quick peak at top position players on each team. The O-Line battle I’d hand to the ‘Skins, but otherwise, you take a trio of Semaje Perine – Josh Doctson – Jordan Reed (made of glass) and place them against Kareem Hunt – Tyreek Hill – Travis Kelce. The Redskins are taking Alex Smith, putting him on a team with a worse supporting cast and hoping he can vault them to a position of perennial contender for 4-years. Something he was unable to do in a pedestrian AFC (that’s owned by New England).

So what makes the ‘Skins think that they can win with that same soon-to-be 34-year old QB, a worse supporting cast, and a more difficult conference? They’ll have some work to do with their position players, and the Saints showed this year that it only takes one draft to turn your team around, but they need to hit and need to hit fast- because this isn’t a roster that’s built to win now, even though the trade would indicate otherwise.

A few more notes:

• Washington didn’t have to give up much, as long as the player to be named tomorrow isn’t anyone special. A 3rd rounder doesn’t hit all that often and it’s worth it for a top tier QB in the league. I just don’t understand what Alex Smith is going to bring to Washington in the next 4 years that Kirk Cousins wasn’t going to.
• If I’m Kirk Cousins, I’m probably seeking similar money and let the bidding war begin. However, is he going to choose the money or the situation. If I’m him, I go to Denver, who could see a quick turnaround with the right guy under center. They have Demaryius and Manny Sanders to throw to, a decent running game, and a top tier defense. All that along with a top-5 pick and you’re in a spot to succeed
• Pat Mahomes. This guy seems like he’s going to be extremely fun to watch. Can run around and throw the ball a country mile. Sign me up for Mahomes to Tyreek next year. Chiefs should be very fun to watch.
• 4-years, $94 million and $71 million guaranteed for Alex Smith. SHEESH. Free agent QBs (Cousins, Garroppolo, Brees, etc.) are going to get PAID.