Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Washington Football Team: Kyle Smith needs a promotion to GM

By Jacob Troutman

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle Smith of the Washington Football Team speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Kyle Smith
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle Smith of the Washington Football Team speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Kyle Smith /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 18: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team intercepts a pass from Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 18: Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team intercepts a pass from Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

2020 Free Agency

Given that Kyle Smith has only had pro personnel duties this offseason, we will only focus on the 2020 feee agent class. To start, the team released Jordan Reed, Paul Richardson, and Josh Norman to free up cap space and to start fresh.

The Washington Football Team swung and miss on a huge free agent signing. They reportedly offered Amari Cooper somewhere in the five-year, $110M dollar range to come be a part of the Washington Football Team. He chose the “less lucrative,” deal with the Dallas Cowboys for five-year, $100M. I wonder if he is regretting that choice right about now?

After missing on Cooper, Kyle Smith and Ron Rivera had to scrounge the market for bargain steals.

More from Commanders News

They lost Ereck Flowers to the Dolphins, as his price became too steep. They turned around and signed Wes Schweitzer of the Atlanta Falcons to a three-year deal. He was a classic “who is that guy?” signing at the time. You probably know who he is now, however, as he has turned into a quality option at left guard. He has replaced Ereck Flowers production at a much cheaper price.

The team needed a tight end desperately and fans were pointing at Austin Hooper of the Falcons. Not so fast says Kyle Smith and Co. We are going to go get the former Virginia Tech Hokie QB convert Logan Thomas. Both Smith and Rivera stated their confidence in Thomas and they have been right. While Thomas may not be a TE1, he is a quality option and proving to show some versatility with his QB skillset.

Thomas has 34 catches, 328 yards, and four touchdowns so far this season. Hooper has 26 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown for the Cleveland Browns after signing a massive deal. Thomas has played in a few more games so the production level is about even, but Thomas is at a much cheaper price. That’s a win for Kyle Smith and Ron Rivera.

With the release of Josh Norman, the team had a clear hole at cornerback. The most lucrative deal they gave out was Kendall Fuller at three years, $30M. He has been a real quality signing, having already totaled four INTs and being fairly consistent in coverage. That production makes his contract a bargain

Their last signing was Ronald Darby to one year, minimal monetary value, prove-it contract. Essentially a flyer. Darby has proved it. He has consistently improved and mailed in his best performance against the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow with four deflections. He struggled in the Cowboys game, giving up a 54-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper, but he also made some key stops as well.

And he has stayed healthy as well which was a concern for him entering the season. He should be re-signed this offseason.

RB J.D. McKissic has been another solid as well on his one-year contract. He is on pace to have around 1,000 all-purpose yards. He is quick in space, is a runner with good vision and burst, and has great hands. He just is a tad small. He still compliments Antonio Gibson well though. That’s another bargain contract for Kyle Smith. McKissic deserves a contract extension as well.

Kyle Smith missed on the Sean Davis signing as he was released in training camp. However, the sting of that miss was quickly replaced by the emergence of Kam Curl. He could have also done a better job of getting a coverage linebacker, but not every hole can be filled in one offseason.

Also, while it is not free agency, trading for Kyle Allen was a smart move. He is a quality backup, a necessity for any team, but especially for the Washington Football Team.

Ron Rivera and Kyle Smith signed under the radar players to cheap contracts and almost every signing is paying off. That’s quality roster building and something that Washington hasn’t had in some time.

Home/Commanders News