Riggo's Rag
FanSided

10 potential general manager candidates for the Washington Football Team

By Jacob Camenker

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
8 of 11
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 14: General Manager Rick Smith of the Houston Texans walks off the field after pregame warm ups prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 14: General Manager Rick Smith of the Houston Texans walks off the field after pregame warm ups prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

10. . Former General Manager. Houston Texans. Rick Smith. 4. player

Rick Smith lost a power struggle with Bill O’Brien back in 2017. He was ousted after 11 great years at the helm of the organization.

Since then, the Texans have plunged into their darkest days. O’Brien traded DeAndre Hopkins for an aging running back on a huge contract and a second-round pick and gave up a king’s ransom for Laremy Tunsil. The organization is now depleted of any and all resources and their franchise quarterback, Deshaun Watson, is reportedly unhappy with the team.

Think Smith mattered to the team? It sure looks like it. When Smith was in Houston, O’Brien was regarded as a great coach and the team was full of top talents. They did well during the draft, made smart decisions in free agency, and had a functioning organization. Now, they simply do not.

Related Story. Why Washington should pursue Deshaun Watson -- if available. light

Smith seems likely to return to the NFL this year and has generated a lot of interest in GM circles. It’s easy to see why. During his time with the Texans, he did a superb job during the draft. He brought in players J.J. Watt, DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing, Connor Barwin, Whitney Mercilus, and Kareem Jackson to build the team’s strong defense.

On offense, Smith selected Duane Brown, a long-term franchise left tackle, and took a chance on Deshaun Watson who has proven to be a top-10 NFL quarterback. Drafting Watson undid his biggest mistake as GM — signing Brock Osweiler to a big-money contract to start — and that was encouraging because the Osweiler salary-dump trade showed a willingness to admit when he was wrong.

Washington was interested in Smith last cycle but ultimately gave Ron Rivera control of personnel for the season. If Rivera is willing to work with Smith, that could help to further strengthen Washington’s scouting department and turn it into a bigger strength than it already is.

Smith will certainly have offers and Washington may be too far behind in the game to truly get in on him at this point. That said, if he’s willing to come to Washington, he should draw some consideration. Pairing him with what the team already has in the scouting department could prove to be a massive win.

The only questions are about whether or not he will still be available and whether or not he’s on Rivera’s wishlist for the spot.

Home/Commanders News