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Washington Redskins: Top 5 acquisitions based on instant impact

By Jacob Camenker

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 3: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs smiles after the win over the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium at the end of the game on January 3, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 3: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs smiles after the win over the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium at the end of the game on January 3, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

I know what you’re thinking. Alex Smith was the biggest acquisition of the Redskins offseason. How can he possibly be ranked at No. 2 overall in terms of instant impact? Well, as good as Smith is, and as great as the reviews have been coming out of practice, there is one thing that is keeping him lower on this list.

The player that Smith replaced is Kirk Cousins. While Smith’s stats and penchant for avoid mistakes are extremely appealing and give him an edge over Cousins, the fact is that he is not a massive upgrade over him. He’s definitely an upgrade, but Cousins is at least comparable to Smith.

Where Smith has the advantage over Cousins is his ability to push the ball downfield while avoiding turnovers. While both quarterbacks were very accurate, Cousins struggled with untimely turnovers especially in the red zone. That did cost the Redskins a couple of games, but that gunslinger mentality also has led Cousins to some come-from-behind victories during his time with the team, including a beautiful victory over the Seattle Seahawks in 2017.

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Still, Smith is the safer option of the two quarterbacks. Week in and week out, you know what you are going to get from him. He’ll complete a lot of passes, avoid turnovers, and settle for plays that give the team a chance to win. He’s not always going to be a big time playmaker, and often he will throw a ball away as opposed to making a risky throw. But that may be refreshing for Washington fans who remember Cousins’ late picks against the Dallas Cowboys and other top caliber opponents.

Smith is the cheaper option who can be better than Cousins when he’s at his peak. His playoff record doesn’t inspire many, but the fact that he has gotten the Chiefs and 49ers there so many times speaks volumes about his abilities as a leader and a passer. And with a strong supporting cast like what he has in Washington, he could go on a bit of a run if he can get the team through the crowded NFC.

While the acquisition of Smith will have a big impact on the team, it may not have as much of an impact as one other acquisition the team made.

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