Washington Redskins pre-2018 NFL Draft roster analysis
By Ian Cummings
Quarterback
Starter: Alex Smith
Backup: Colt McCoy
Third String: Kevin Hogan
Of all the Washington Redskins position groups this offseason, the position of quarterback changed the most. Normally, this would be a sign of a pending downward swoon in production. But the team’s new signal caller isn’t just any player off the block. That new signal caller is Alex Smith.
Smith, throughout his career, has been lauded as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league, and last year, at 33 years old, he posted career-best numbers in almost every category. Smith is very accurate, and while he’s often been labeled a game manager, last year, he showed his gunslinger side as well, and in Washington, his ability to throw at all levels, as well as his ability to run, will give the offense valuable versatility.
Excitement is brewing over how Jay Gruden will be able to use Alex Smith. Gruden, a less conservative coach than Andy Reid, and widely regarded as a skilled offensive planner, should be able to utilize Smith’s talents to the maximum. Smith may need a suitable running game to properly utilize the talent at his disposal, but we’ll get to that later.
Behind Alex Smith, there is Colt McCoy, a mainstay, and 25-year old Kevin Hogan, who was acquired via trade earlier in the offseason. Hogan has some experience as a starter, albeit brief, and for a short time in his rookie season, he shared a locker room with Washington Redskins starter Alex Smith. Hogan has a similar skill set to Smith; he can run the football well, and he’s a player with a high football I.Q.
Still, Hogan isn’t a perfect developmental quarterback. His release has attracted scrutiny since his acquisition. But Hogan doesn’t have to be perfect. That’s what the ‘developmental’ label is for. The Washington Redskins got him cheap (all they did was move back in the sixth round), and his previous experience with Smith, an effective teacher at the position, could prove valuable.
The acquisition of Hogan also fills a need that would have previously been averted through the draft. The Washington Redskins have Alex Smith under contract for four years, but with the general uncertainty surrounding the franchise, it’s hard to see him locked past three years. In the event that Smith leaves early, the team will need a younger quarterback in the wings to serve as a reliable spot starter and a possible long-term backup, at the very least.
Hogan, a former fifth-round pick, fits this description well, and his presence on the depth chart effectively absolves the Washington Redskins’ need for a late-round developmental quarterback. Depending on who you ask, drafting a player like Logan Woodside could still be valuable. But those picks are more valuable serving as depth, as we saw with Robert Davis and Josh Harvey-Clemons last year. Thus, there is no need for the Washington Redskins to add to their quarterback room later this week.