Redskins: 3 options for their quarterback situation in 2019

Jacob Camenker

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Washington Redskins are, for yet another offseason, facing a quarterback conundrum. Here are their options at the position for 2019.

In late January of last year, the Redskins answered the questions surrounding their quarterback position by trading Alex Smith. In that move, the team guaranteed that Kirk Cousins wouldn’t return and that Smith would end up being a long-term option for them. Smith ended up signing a four-year extension when he landed with the Redskins and that locked him in as the starter for at least a few years.

At that time, it seemed that the ‘Skins wouldn’t be facing a quarterback question in the near future. Then, disaster struck when Smith suffered a brutal leg injury that sidelined him for the year. The injury may end up keeping Smith out long-term, and it’s even possible that his career is over, depending on his recovery.

Regardless of whether or not Smith returns, the fact is that the Redskins have another quarterback conundrum. With limited resources, the team has to figure out a way to find a potential starter as insurance in case Smith can’t return. They will likely try to do that, but it’s unclear how they will address the issue.

Right now, I see three clear paths for how the Redskins can choose to deal with these. Here’s a look at the merits and deficiencies of each plan.

BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Sign a veteran passer in free agency

On the surface, this idea sounds great. If Smith is unable to play, the team could be in perfect position to nab a veteran passer in what is sure to be a busy offseason for quarterbacks. With many vets displaced by talented rookies in 2018, there will be plenty of solid names available.

Among the top quarterbacks expected to hit free agency (or be traded) are Joe Flacco, Ryan Tannehill, Nick Foles, Teddy Bridgewater, and Blake Bortles. Not all the names on the list are inspiring (especially Bortles) but the fact is that as a year-long stopgap, one of these players could help get a stronger Washington team to the playoffs.

Realistically, Flacco would be the best fit to guide the team for a year. He’s a veteran with playoff experience who can operate a short to intermediate type passing game and get the ball in the hands of the Redskins weapons. Unfortunately, he may end up being traded, and his contract wouldn’t fit on the Washington roster.

Speaking of contracts, that is the one major factor that will downgrade this potential strategy for the Redskins. As long as Alex Smith is still making over $20 million, it will be cost-prohibitive to have two veteran starters on the roster. Other teams would likely outbid Washington for the service of guys like Flacco and Tannehill, though an oversaturated market could work out in the favor of the ‘Skins. Still, even if they sign one of these guys, it might not be enough to get them over the hump.

This strategy does have its merits, especially if it involves attempting to rehabilitate a younger passer that has struggles at the NFL level. That said, it definitely seems like the least likely option for the team — unless they can somehow figure out a way to mitigate the effects of Smith’s cap hit in the coming months.

MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 03: Daniel Jones #17 of the Duke Blue Devils heads to the sidelines in the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Draft a quarterback in the early rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft

I’ve been pretty against this strategy for the better part of the last month, but it’s possible it could be the best — if not, the only — viable option for the ‘Skins. The fact is they need a quarterback, and it would be better if that quarterback was young and could develop. Still, there is one problem with this strategy.

The 2019 NFL Draft class is lacking talent at the quarterback position. This isn’t just in comparison to last year’s loaded class that had five true first-round talents. The class has three players that seem like potential starters at the NFL level. And even still, three may be a stretch.

Dwayne Haskins seems like the best of the bunch, as the Ohio State passer has had an incredible season in his first year as a starter. However, there are some concerns about his overall accuracy and his lack of long-term starting experience, so it may take him time to develop in the NFL. That won’t stop him from being a first-round pick, but it could cause a couple of mediocre-at-best seasons for the team that drafts him.

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Beyond Haskins, there are two other potential first-round options in Drew Lock and Daniel Jones. Lock is a competitive player with a great arm, but his accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. If he can’t improve in that area, it may stunt his growth as an NFL passer. In a normal year, he probably would be considered a second-round value, but the lack of quality QBs could push him up draft boards.

Meanwhile, Jones is an intriguing prospect who looked good in his bowl game and was developed by the legendary David Cutcliffe. However, he has dealt with injury issues during his time at Duke and has also played in a fairly weak ACC. He has all the tools needed to be successful, but he will need some time to develop.

Those are really the only three quarterbacks that look like potential answers. And even still, they come with their warts. In a draft where the Redskins could land some much-needed help at the edge rush position, the offensive line, and in the secondary, it might be best to avoid the quarterback position in the early rounds.

If the team falls in love with one of the prospects, then, by all means, they should take one. But still, they have to consider the opportunity cost of going after a top quarterback. And in this case, with the amount of quality edge rush prospects in Round 1, that cost could be great. This option definitely remains in play, but keep an eye on the rumored thought process of the Redskins as draft season really begins.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 22: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Stand pat…for now, and draft a late-round guy at the most

This may not seem like an intriguing option. That’s because it isn’t, at least for the short term. That said, for the long term, this may be the best.

Right now, the Redskins are virtually handicapped by the Alex Smith contract. They can’t really get out of it easily at least until year three of the deal. That would come following the 2020 season. Because of this, they’re going to have to spend their available cap space wisely. And, draft resources must be properly used to field a competitive team.

The reason I bring this up is that the 2019 NFL Draft class is fairly weak at quarterback. The options in the first few rounds aren’t particularly enticing, as mentioned before. If they don’t fall in love with any of the top three options (and personally, I have yet to do that with any) it may be best for them to build up the rest of the team and strengthen their whole defense and offensive line. Then, when they need to get a quarterback, they’ll have a full team surrounding that young passer.