Chiefs trade QB Smith to Redskins, see ya Cousins!

The Kansas City Chiefs have trade Quarterback Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins in return for corner Kendall Fuller and a 2018 third round pick. This move clearly sets up two things:
1. The Patrick Mahomes era in KC starts now.
2. Kirk Cousins will now be allowed to walk, causing what will be a huge domino effect for QB hungry teams in free agency.

Good move by the Redskins? Did the Chiefs get enough in return? Is Patrick Mahomes ready to be the starter? Where will Cousins end up? Why am I asking so many questions?

 

Not incredibly shocking, but the Browns were reportedly 1 of 6 other teams in the running for the Smith Lottery.

 

Also worth noting: Smith got a four-year, $94 million extension that guarantees him friggin' $71 million

 

We were all wondering why it was only a 3rd round pick. Then it was revealed it was Fuller. He was the best slot CB in the NFL. The Chiefs just got stronger assuming Maholmes is solid but it likely had to be done regardless.

 

I never liked Smith from his time with San Fran. Last year was his best season, a career high with 26 tds at 33 yrs old. A $92M deal, this is typical redskins, always taking shortcuts.

 

Redskins could have paid cousins from the start and had the younger QB, the draft pick and Fuller.

 

Cousins to Minnesota, Cleveland, Jets, Broncos, or Jaguars?

 

Im in the complete opposite camp. I thought he should have stayed the starter in San Fran and liked when the Chiefs got him. I think its a good move for the redskins better than signing couisins to a big deal.

 

Don't think Minny - just think they're gonna ride Keenum. Heard Cleveland was interested, but when you're years away from competing, why not address QB via the draft? Same with the Jets. And, on the flip side, would Cousins WANT to go to those two teams?

Jacksonville and Denver make more sense...to me, anyway.

 

He wants a chance for a Super Bowl, so that would nix the 0-16 Browns for the time being. Jacksonville and Minnesota both were in the Championship games of their respective conferences, they’d make some sense. Denver has a pretty good defense and has good weapons, to me they are truly a QB away from being very competitive in the AFC. Jets surprised some people, enough money offered they might be able to land him...

 

His last year showed some promise, but he never did have a 20 td season with the 49ers. His career has been mediocre for the most part, a couple of good years rushing.

 

While you of course can't take these reports TOO much to heart, word around the playground is that the Jags are going to stick with Bortles...

 

Suckers

 

Cousins may disagree wholeheartedly and not even consider the Browns, but they actually have a solid base to work with. Sashi Brown stripped this team of all it's veterans and that is why they are 1-31 over the past two seasons...well, that and they don't have a QB. One of our fans did a side by side statistical view of both starting teams from Pro Football Focus, and the Browns were actually a better team than the Redskins last year...now that's just starters, so taking our really poor backups into consideration, the tables would be turned quickly. BUT, if he can win 7 games with the Skins and a worse starting roster than the 0-16 Browns.....

He could become a legend!

Here's the thing, we dumped Sashi Brown and brought in John Dorsey. Although Dorsey isn't known for his organizational skills, he is certainly respected for his scouting and talent evaluation. He is also known for spending the owners money...We have Paul Depodesta to keep him in line, but I fully expect this roster to have an extremely different look overall in 2018. The veterans are coming back, even if in a backup role.

This team has $110M+ cap space to spend and I think they are serious about using a good chunk of it this off season. They also have picks 1, 4, 33, 35, 63/64, 65....along with 6 other draft picks to move around the board at will. 6 top 65 draft picks alone, even if you only hit on 2 of them, would improve this team drastically...hit on 4 of the 6 and you are talking epic differences.

Now, add to that a few key free agent acquisitions and with Kirk Cousins you are in win now mode.

It isn't nearly as far fetched as a normal team/year would be to see a turn around from 1-31 to playoff contender...that's only because Kirk Cousins, a franchise caliber QB, is available in free agency. That and their historical amount of assets they can use to acquire talent...and the fact they switched from an analytical GM that hoarded draft picks and cut wily veterans to save cap space of historical proportions, to a guy who is salivating right now at the thought of using that historical amount of assets to become the GM that turned a 1-31 team into a playoff contender in one off season.


It all comes down to whether they can convince Kirk Cousins that their plan will a) work and b) hinges on him becoming a legend.

If he says he doesn't want the headache, then they are back to their 5 year plan, in year 3, which is find the QB in the draft. They will probably win 3-5 games this year, IF all their other draft picks pan out and the 2019 off season is when they will spend their money on free agency.

After 20 years of desolation, I am ready for Kirk Cousins and the accelerated plan.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^

Dilly, Dilly

 

**I know I am quoting my own post, but I am now assuming most of you are thinking this is pie in the sky BS from a Browns fan...So I thought I would show you how easily it could be done with a little thought process involved and the cooperation of a few free agents.

A) First and foremost, you must sign Kirk Cousins. This depends on him buying into the plan. I am on the side that making him the highest paid player is the key here, not giving him something astronomical like $35M. Most teams will be diligent in their spending, including the Browns and every other team in this bidding war. I believe $28.5M per year will get him signed to a 5 year deal. That will make him the highest paid player in the league surpassing Matthew Stafford. Now, the structure is where the Browns can blow away everyone else in this process. He gets a $70M signing bonus, $95M in guarantees and he gets $35M of his signing bonus up front. This will give him a 2018 salary of 14.5M + Bonus of $35M = $49.5M in 2018. It will also make the remainder of the contract manageable at $14.5M per year salary and $8.75M per year bonus, $23.25M per season. No other team can structure this way... This is a once a generation opportunity to add a franchise QB without the unknowns of a rookie, and needing to develop him.

B) Free agency, you still have $60.5M to spend, less approx, $18M for draftees because they have such a large class and 6 in the top 65...so $42.5...I spend the majority of that on two players
1) You let Cousins know(and this players agent) he will be a package deal with Jarvis Landry. What this offense needs more than anything is a slot receiver. They have Josh Gordon(who may or may not last a full season) on the outside. His street value is $13.8M which I don't think the Dolphins are willing to pay considering Tannehill and Mike Pouncey are the only two players they have to free up cap space. So, all needs to be done is convincing them of the plan going forward with he and Cousins together. Instantly gives the Browns legitimacy.

2) Joe Thomas has publicly stated he has 1 or none years left in him..this is the only plan that will keep him here for the final year of his contract before retirement. I would love to see him stay this last year and finally get him to the playoffs...but, we need a contingency plan in place. That's where Nate Solder comes in. Give him a 3 year deal with his market value of $13.2M and he can either replace Joe Thomas or solidify the best line in the league if Thomas plays one final year. (edit) Hell, if Solder takes over the left side, you might be able to convince Joe to play a few more years on the right side...if the Browns are playoff contenders. It would rejuvenate him.

3) Then finally solidify the depth in the receiving group re-signing Terrelle Pryor. He was humbled in Washington and knows he will be utilized in Cleveland. He has already publicly stated he wants to come back and the Browns actually attempted to trade for him right before the deadline, so the feeling seems to be mutual. Give him his market value of 3YR/$7M per and we have a guy who just two years ago nearly hit 1,000 yards with some really bad QBs. Also gives us insurance against Josh Gordon.

We have some major needs on this team, in order:

QB, FS, RB, CB, OT(If Thomas retires), WR(if Josh Gordon relapses), ILB, WLB,

With Free agency, you just wiped out 3 of those needs.

Moving on to the draft, you have a myriad of ways to go in this thing...

I have (3) players I can use at the top at #1 and #4

Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Saquon Barkley and Roquan Smith...ANY TWO of this group would help solidify a roster that came with holes entering the off season...I can honestly say, I would be happy with any combination of the two as well. This draft is so deep that I can add two more solid players (even if they are backups in 2018) at #33 and #35. I love Saquon Barkley, but I also love about 5 other RBs in this class, one of which will be available at the top of round 2. From everything I read Smith is a mid round grade, but I have him in my top 5.

This is how, I PERSONALLY, would re-build the Browns in one off season and I can argue would make them playoff contenders in 2018. No pie in the sky wacky trades or non sense...just using the assets we currently own for this off season.

 

For your sake and all the die-hard Browns fans, I really hope the team catches a break and lands the right QB. A Veteran FA would be ideal, in my opinion. This QB class of 2018 is deemed as one of the best in 20 years or so by some experts, so maybe even if they go the draft route again, they just might hit the jackpot.

I really think a Vet like Cousins would be ideal to bring in leadership and confidence along with the most important aspect, talent/experience.

Good luck... you deserve it and the law of averages should swing around soon.

 

Here's the thing about this draft class, it's the best in 20 years, I actually agree with this statement...The problem lies in the fact it is quantity, not quality that drives the statement to be true.

I feel there is a clear cut guy that tops the others, but I also have him at #6 overall on my list of prospects...then the others are much further down the board...BUT, I have 6 QBs that I consider a 2nd round grade or better which is something I haven't seen since I have been a draftnik. So, in overall availability of QB prospects, there is a smorgasboard of players for QB needy teams and I expect them all to be snatched up rather quickly (within the first two rounds)...But if you are looking for Tom Brady in this class, I don't think he is here. A lot of potential, but a lot of risk to go with that potential..

Example: Josh Rosen, probably the most pure QB talent in the class, but TWO red flags, attitude and durability. Who wants a top 5 draft pick that averages 10 games a year over his career because of injuries? With his concussion history, he goes way down my list.

 

Good info and read Irish.

One thing I disagree on is your assessment of Solder. There’s quite a bit of speculation that he’ll retire this off season or next based on his young son’s health. I would also contend that he has become inconsistent and an average LT at best. Being an average LT certainly leads to nice paydays but I’d think another route would be more beneficial for Cleveland over the long haul.

 

I wouldn't disagree with that, but if Joe Thomas is retiring, I want at least average while we get a draft pick ready. We could easily take one in the second round in April, but a second rounder usually needs preparation. If I knew Joe would stick around, I wouldn't even worry about it, but he's been hinting at retirement. I think the only thing that would bring him back is Kirk Cousins, he talks about him in every interview.