After Redskins trade for Smith, cornerback becomes an immediate need

With the Washington Redskins unexpectedly shipping third-year cornerback Kendall Fuller to the Kansas City Chiefs, an immediate need is now present at cornerback.

Last night, the Washington Redskins made a shocking transaction with the Kansas City Chiefs, jettisoning a third-round pick and stout slot cornerback Kendall Fuller for veteran quarterback Alex Smith.

The trade has been met with a swift negative response from fans and pundits alike, most of which believe the Washington Redskins were fleeced in the deal. Among other repercussions, the Washington Redskins suddenly have a gaping hole to fill at the cornerback position. The Washington Redskins had a very good thing going. Now, they’ve taken a step back.

Even before the trade, more depth was needed at cornerback. Bashaud Breeland has been likely to leave for free agency since the start of the new year, and without Fuller, that leaves Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, and Joshua Holsey. The latter two are rookies who barely played in 2017.

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The primary objective will now be to find a replacement for Fuller, who was one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league in 2017. Fabian Moreau could end up being the replacement, but with longer arms and greater speed, he’s better suited as depth on the outside. Joshua Holsey flashed in camp as a slot cornerback last year, but relying on a former seventh round pick in just his second season doesn’t seem like such a good idea.

More likely than not, the Redskins will have to turn to the draft. Up until this point, cornerback was an area of lesser concern, in relation to other needs, like a No. 1 running back or a inside linebacker. Now, the focus switches to cornerback.

With the injuries from last season still in the back of officials’ minds, depth will be a coveted commodity in the coming months. It’s possible that Bashaud Breeland, who was once believed to be gone for sure, could be paid to come back, now that Fuller is gone. The Washington Redskins need to keep the position in tact, to the best of their availability. By ousting Fuller, and presumably Kirk Cousins, when free agency starts, they have more financial flexibility to make that happen.

Next: Grading the Washington Redskins trade for Alex Smith

Overall, it wasn’t a very symmetrical trade, but the Washington Redskins will survive moving forward. With the quarterback position locked down, the focus now turns to free agency, and the draft. To fixing the damage that this trade has done.

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