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How the Alex Smith trade to Redskins shakes up Round 1 of the NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is seen before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center on September 24, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is seen before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center on September 24, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: (L-R) Josh Doctson of TCU holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #22 overall by the Washington Redskins during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: (L-R) Josh Doctson of TCU holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #22 overall by the Washington Redskins during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

How Alex Smith’s Trade Affects Chiefs, Redskins’ NFL Draft Plans

Moving Alex Smith was likely a big part of the Chiefs’ offseason plans all along. After all, they gave up quite the haul to grab quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Round 1 of the NFL Draft a year ago.

Mahomes is the future. And we’ll see if a year marinating under Smith did some good.

Without their own first-round pick (given up in the Mahomes deal), the Chiefs now own two second rounders — Nos. 44 (Washington) and 54. That helps alleviate the Mahomes trade-up a bit, and it isn’t as if K.C. is without needs.

The first was to increase cap space. Prior to the deal, Kansas City was in the red, being more than $9 million over the salary cap, per Over the Cap. Moving Smith frees up $17 million, per Terez Paylor, so that helps.

FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Patrick Mahomes II #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Patrick Mahomes II #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Defense figures to be the primary needs for the Chiefs in this year’s draft. Last year, Kansas City allowed an average of 6.6 yards per pass attempt — 25th in the NFL — and 4.3 yards per carry on the ground — 23rd in the league.

This doesn’t affect the quarterback market too much. All it means is the Chiefs can look to address some of their shortcomings elsewhere.

All the while hoping Mahomes is the real deal.

Redskins Giving Up Too Much?

Washington elected to go with Smith over Kirk Cousins, who would have cost in the neighborhood of $34 million if he received a third franchise tag.

On the positive side, the Redskins no longer have to worry about finding a quarterback in free agency or the NFL Draft. Smith is their guy, for better or for worse, for the next four seasons. But at 33 years old, he’s heading to a roster that finished 26th in first downs (278) a year ago.

The Redskins have some youthful talent, although one could make the argument that pick would have been better spent on draft day instead of a trade for an aging veteran.

Either way, Washington will no longer be on the hunt for a quarterback in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. They’ll look for another position to drop down to them at No. 13 overall.