Redskins: A look at the team’s top 5 acquisitions of the 2018 offseason

1. Acquiring QB Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs

This obviously had to be the top move. Once it became increasingly clear that Kirk Cousins wasn’t going to re-sign with the Redskins, the team had to find a replacement at quarterback. Though the 2018 draft was loaded with potential high-quality passers, it wasn’t guaranteed that any would fit the Redskins or make it to their pick. So, the team had to make a move to acquire somebody to man the most important position on the field.

And they did just that. In terms of talent, Alex Smith may not be a huge upgrade over Cousins. In fact, he may be a slight downgrade. But, the point is simple. Smith is a veteran, stopgap option who is coming off one of the strongest seasons of his career. He has proven to be successful in the regular season, and there’s a chance that he could help get the Redskins to the postseason. So, in that regard, he should still be viewed as a solid player.

The fact of the matter is that if Cousins left the Redskins, they were going to be hard pressed to find an adequate replacement. Though the market was saturated with potential options, only one came with a consistently solid pedigree and virtually guaranteed assurance that he would perform well in a new location. That was Smith. The Redskins could have taken a chance on a rookie or opted to pay Case Keenum big bucks, but trading for Smith was almost certainly the right move, as he was the safest, best quarterback option available aside from Cousins.

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Getting Smith was a big, costly move. But when you get a quarterback you’re confident in, it’s a good move. The Redskins deserve credit for bringing in Smith, and the coaching staff and fans alike are excited to see what he can do once he dons the burgundy and gold in 2018.