Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL offseason: Predicting which quarterbacks go where

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on as the Chiefs play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 28-17. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on as the Chiefs play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 28-17. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 6: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium on January 6, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 6: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass during the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium on January 6, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns

Who They Get: Alex Smith (Chiefs) and Sam Darnold (USC)

There’s a thought the Cardinals could be in the market for current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. After all, reports indicate the Chiefs are ready to move on from the veteran, electing to go with a younger and more-promising Patrick Mahomes in 2018.

But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who broke the news on the Chiefs’ possible intentions, had the following to say about a possible trade between K.C. and the Cleveland Browns:

"Kansas City won’t actively seek out trade partners, but they will listen. There is a real chance Smith, who’s set to make $17 million next season, will be dealt for the second time in his career. … Browns general manager John Dorsey’s first move when he took over in Kansas City was to trade for Smith. Could history repeat itself?"

The Browns have more to offer to the Chiefs, in exchange for Smith’s services, than Kansas City. Cleveland is armed with two of the first three picks in Round 2 of the NFL Draft, and one of those would likely be plenty to get the deal done without jeopardizing the Browns’ rebuild process.

Meanwhile, Arizona isn’t slated to pick until 15th in the round.

Smith, despite his age, brings veteran poise and playoff experience — something the Browns sorely lack coming off a winless 2017.

And with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, USC’s Sam Darnold won’t be pressed into starting right away when he’s not ready and lacks talent all around him.

So, no. This won’t be a 2018 repeat of the situation the Browns put quarterback DeShone Kizer in.