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Why Redskins Alex Smith will be a Top 10 quarterback this season

By Ben Vasconcellos

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a touchdown as the Chiefs defeat the San Diego Chargers 33-27 to win the game in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a touchdown as the Chiefs defeat the San Diego Chargers 33-27 to win the game in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the NFL International Series game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium on October 30, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the NFL International Series game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Wembley Stadium on October 30, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) /

Weapons

There’s a reason why Alex Smith wanted to come to Washington: Offensive firepower. Smith practically has the same layout for success in Washington as he did in Kansas City last year. He had Tyreek Hill, Albert Wilson, De’Anthony Thomas, and Travis Kelce as receiving threats, and had Kareem Hunt as an elusive power back.

In Washington, Smith has Paul Richardson, Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, and Jordan Reed for his receiving options. Then he has Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson for the ground game. In both situations, there are quick receivers, a big tight end, and a solid running game.

You can make the argument that the Redskins provide more weapons for Smith to use than the Chiefs did because the Redskins have more options at wide receiver. The trio of Richardson, Doctson, and Crowder is a major upgrade from the trio of Hill, Wilson, and Thomas. Besides Hill, no one was even relevant at the wide out position.

If healthy, Jordan Reed has the potential to be just as good, if not better, than Travis Kelce. Smith has always thrived off a big target tight end, and he will be sure to get that with Reed. Let’s not forget that Smith is reuniting with Vernon Davis as well, who has proven to be a more than capable backup that can be inserted into the starting lineup and be just as productive.

Kareem Hunt was great last season. He produced 1,327 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground. On top of this, he added 455 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. These numbers normally would be hard to replicate, but the Redskins backfield shouldn’t have a problem, as they now have stout rookie rusher Derrius Guice, who has the potential to be the Kareem Hunt of 2018.

Chris Thompson was on pace for a career year before he went down with a leg injury  in 2017, and Derrius Guice will be the physical runner that the Redskins have been so desperately searching for. As long as the offensive line isn’t plagued with injuries, this one-two punch combo will be able out-produce Hunt’s numbers from last year’s campaign.

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