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Redskins: Some quarterback prospects to think about in wake of the Alex Smith injury news

By Ken Johannesen

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins is helped off the field after being sacked and injured by Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins is helped off the field after being sacked and injured by Kareem Jackson #25 of the Houston Texans in the third quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos drops back to pass during the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl against the Baylor Bears at Chase Field on December 27, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bears defeated the Broncos 31-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos drops back to pass during the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl against the Baylor Bears at Chase Field on December 27, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bears defeated the Broncos 31-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Brett Rypien, Boise State. Rypien is the nephew of Redskins Super Bowl quarterback, Mark Rypien.  He could have the greatest potential of this year’s crop of quarterbacks. Rypien has good size, good speed, and is a solid performer.  He will need some time to learn the NFL but could be ready late into his first season.

Kyler Murray, Oklahoma. A dynamic player, Murray is a bit short by NFL standards. He could be a better version of Russell Wilson, but buyer beware. He is a top baseball prospect and could choose to go in that direction after being the ninth overall pick in the MLB Draft by the Oakland A’s in 2018.

Will Grier, West Virginia. Grier could return for another season at West Virginia, but many scouts think he will declare. He has decent size, average arm strength, is a bit slow, and has questionable personality traits. Any team taking him in the first round is probably a risky move.

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Tyree Jackson, Buffalo. Don’t laugh.  This young man is a standout and has enjoyed a breakout season. At 6-7, he could be a much better version of Cam Newton – minus the headaches. He’s very athletic,  strong, smart, and has a powerful arm. That said, he could return to Buffalo for his senior season.

Ryan Finley, North Carolina State. Mostly drawing comparisons to Alex Smith, Finley is a bit smaller than the Redskins quarterback.  Has solid traits that match what NFL teams want, but will likely need a year to learn behind a veteran signal caller.

Daniel Jones, Duke.  Jones has good size but is a bit slender.  He plays in a system that is adequately preparing him for the next level.  He should probably return to Duke and boost his draft prospects in 2020.

Clayton Thorson, Northwestern.  He made the right decision to return for another year for the Wildcats last year, but he is still a bit short of being elite. He has good size and a solid skill set for the next level but will need time in a quarterback-friendly system in order to reach his potential.

Next. 5 players to watch in Week 14 vs. Giants. dark

All of this quarterback talk is speculative.  Smith could make a miraculous recovery and talk of drafting a franchise quarterback will be put on hold.  The next 90 days or so will be a very important time for Smith and the Redskins. Free agency will arrive and the draft follows shortly thereafter.  In the meantime, all we can do is wait and wish Alex Smith the best.

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