Here’s why Redskins QB Alex Smith reportedly being out for all of 2019 may affect the NFL Draft for the New York Giants.
One of the bigger questions (probably the biggest question) for the New York Giants this offseason is what they will do in the NFL Draft.
Right now, they have the No. 6 pick in the draft. I know, it’s not a top-five selection, but that sixth pick is huge this year. Each team in the top-five has a long-term plan at quarterback. The Cardinals have Josh Rosen, the 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo, Jets have Sam Darnold, Raiders have Derek Carr, and the Buccaneers have Jameis Winston.
And then there’s the Giants at No. 6, with 38-year old Eli Manning who just finished his 15th season.
Yes, he’ll probably be their number one quarterback and best chance to win games come Week 1, but not long-term, of course not. If taking a quarterback early in last year’s draft wasn’t the move for Big Blue, this year it has to be even if the kid has to sit a season via the Patrick Mahomes II treatment.
Many like Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins. Many also like Oklahoma QB and 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray. These guys are both first round-caliber quarterbacks. But, what if they don’t draft a quarterback and wait until the second round?
On Sunday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Washington Redskins expect quarterback Alex Smith to miss the entire 2019 season. Smith previously broke his leg this past season in a Week 11 loss to the Houston Texans. This sidelined him for the rest of the season, and now, it looks like he might not play an NFL game until 2020.
One storyline to follow for 2019: The #Redskins are planning as if they won’t have QB Alex Smith next season, sources say. They believe he’ll miss the entire season with his broken leg issues and are acting accordingly. If he’s ready, they will be pleasantly surprised.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2019
But here’s the thing: by this time next year, Smith will be 35. He’ll just have completed his 15th year since he was drafted No. 1 overall by the 49ers in 2005. Is it even worth it to keep him at that point?
He most likely won’t be as effective when he comes back from injury. My intentions are not to compare a starting, Pro-Bowl quarterback to Robert Griffin III, but it’s nearly the same situation.
RGIII looked to be the next answer for the Redskins at quarterback and a gruesome leg injury ruined it all. Teddy Bridgewater looked to be the next answer for the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback as well, and, yeah, the same thing.
Smith signed a four-year extension with the Redskins when he was traded to them from the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason. When 2020 rolls around, two of those years will be up, with zero production from him since mid-2018. Would it be time to look for the next guy at that point? Well, ladies and gents, the time for the next guy might be right now for Washington.
The Redskins currently hold the No. 15 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. What if the Giants traded down? Essentially, the Giants would swap picks with the Redskins to snag the No. 15 pick in the first round along with possibly Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams.
Williams has solidified himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL, having made the Pro Bowl each of the last seven years. This beats current Giants tackle Nate Solder, who’s qualified for zero Pro Bowls in his entire career. The Giants could possibly receive a first-round pick in 2020 or even second-and-third-round picks this year or in the 2020 draft, as well.
With that No. 15 pick, the Giants may not be able to get Haskins or Murray, but why not consider Duke quarterback Daniel Jones?
He deploys good size for an NFL quarterback, knows how to move in the pocket, and has an NFL-ready arm. Not to mention, he was coached in college under the same guy who coached Eli Manning at Ole’ Miss. If he gets the Mahomes treatment for a year behind Manning, he could flourish into the true next guy at quarterback for Big Blue.
The Giants would ultimately get their quarterback along with an elite tackle and an additional pick. That offensive line needs help, and the Giants could always move Solder to the right side of the line as well. They did the same thing last year with former Big Blue tackle Ereck Flowers.
Why would the Redskins consider doing this anyway? Because, again, that No. 6 pick in the draft is crucial. It’s the first pick where a quarterback could be taken. The Redskins need a guy for the long-term, and so do the Giants.
It could work for both teams, and if it were done, could be a blockbuster trade deal.
