The Redskins Massive Hole at QB - What can be Done?

Last off-season the Redskins traded away a third round pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller to the Kansas City Chiefs for quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs are in the AFC championship game while the Redskins sit in salary cap hell with even more questions under center.

Boy how times have changed.

The Redskins will enter the 2019 off-season with doubts surrounding the future of quarterback Alex Smith; not only for the 2019 season, but for his career after suffering a horrific leg injury in week 11. Some have reported that Alex will make a full recovery, although they are not sure when, while others fear he may never return to the NFL again.

This leaves the Redskins in a massive hole under center for the 2019 NFL season...but there are some options.

---

Free Agency

Currently, the Redskins are set to have approximately $15 million in cap space for 2019 after leaving 7-8 million for draft picks and signings during the season. They can create more with some strategic cuts and re-structures. Some projected cuts should allow the Redskins to enter free agency on the plus side of $30 million.

Potential QB Targets:

Teddy Bridgewater - Bridgewater has started just one game in the last two seasons, and a lackluster performance in a week 17 loss to the Panthers could diminish his market. Still, there will be teams looking for a veteran signal caller, and if the Redskins can offer him a starting role, that may be just enough to get him to DC.

Tyrod Taylor - Taylor signed a one-year deal in Cleveland to be the bridge to the Baker Mayfield era. That era began very quickly for Mayfied, and left Taylor on the outside looking in. His athleticism, leadership and arm could be intriguing to Jay Gruden, and he shouldn’t break the bank.

Robert Griffin III - Crazy as it may sound, the Redskins could be re-united with RG3, especially if it means the opportunity at another starting shot in the NFL for the former second overall pick. He knows the system, and would easily be an upgrade to what the Redskins currently have on their roster.

Joe Flacco - The Lamar Jackson era in Baltimore is officially under way, which means veteran Joe Flacco will be on his way out. The Ravens may try to trade the veteran, but his cap hit for 2019 makes that scenario very unlikely to happen. If they release him, he’ll certainly have a market. This market may be too much for the Redskins to enter, but at the very least it’s something for them to consider.

---

Colt McCoy

It’s quite possible, even likely, that the Redskins could turn to Colt McCoy as the bridge-starter either until Alex Smith returns, or a new quarterback is drafted. The 32 year old former Longhorn knows Gruden’s system, is respected by his coaches and teammates, and wouldn’t require a steep learning curve.

It may not be the sexy move that will put fans in the stadium, but it will allow for some stability as Gruden enters a pivotal year in Washington.

If McCoy is chosen as the starter, it could signify one of two things: either Alex Smith may be able to return from injury later in 2019, or in 2020; or that the Redskins believe that major changes are coming to the organization, and a re-build may be under way.

---

The 2019 NFL Draft

Let me start by saying that the 2019 NFL Draft is not a great one to get a franchise quarterback - especially at pick 15. With that out of the way, there are some interesting options the team could explore if things fell our way.

First Round Prospects:

Dwayne Haskins - I don’t think the Redskins will have a shot at Haskins at pick 15, and moving up and giving away future draft picks would be a huge mistake. But, with a top-heavy class at both defensive tackle and EDGE, and the wild card that is Kyler Murray, you just never know.

Daniel Jones - I was a bit surprised when Daniel Jones declared for the 2019 NFL Draft, as he’s still very raw as a prospect. But, he was tutored under quarterback whisperer David Cutcliffe at Duke, and he has all the tools necessary to be a very good NFL quarterback in time.

Drew Lock - I was shocked when Lock chose to return to Missouri after his junior season. The 6’4” 225 pound gun-slinger has some mechanical quirks to clean up in his game, but he has all the makings of a future NFL franchise star. He’d benefit from a year of learning behind a veteran signal caller, but his ceiling is very high.

Kyler Murray - The Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma is the wild card here in the 2019 quarterback class. I will go on record as saying I don’t think he’s a first round talent, nor do I think he’ll succeed in the NFL as a quarterback, but some team will take a flyer on him probably much earlier than they should. It may work out that one of the other top guys falls to pick 15 because of him.

Quarterbacks after round 1:

Will Grier - The West Virginia product will probably go in the 2nd round. Grier is married with a child, and will take his NFL career very seriously. He has the potential to be a very solid NFL starter down the road.

Jarrett Stidham - Stidham didn’t have a stellar year at Auburn, but that didn’t stop him from entering the NFL Draft. He’ll need a year on the bench, but has the potential to develop into a starting quarterback.

Ryan Finley - Finley is a little slight in build, but he has the tools to develop into an NFL starter. He’ll probably hear his name called in the third round.

Easton Stick - Stick is an intriguing developmental quarterback prospect out of a small school. He can make plays with his arm and legs, and is as tough as they come.

Jordan Ta’amu - Ta’amu put up solid numbers in the SEC at Ole Miss as a senior, but he had a very solid supporting cast around him. He should be a mid round pick, and has some starting potential in the right system down the road.

Brett Rypien - A four year starter at Boise St., Rypien put up tremendous numbers throughout his career. The nephew of former Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien, Brett has a 40-13 career record as a starter, and has never had a season below 61% completion percentage. He should be available mid round.

Gardner Minshew - Minshew put up gaudy stats in his one season under Mike Leach at Washington St. He’s got good size, throws a very catchable ball, and has a very “confident” swagger about him.

Clayton Thorson - The Northwestern product is a big, tough kid with a good arm and deceptive athleticism for the position. He’s a developmental prospect worth taking a shot on in the mid rounds.

---

How would you like to see the Redskins approach the quarterback position in 2019?