Cleveland Browns rumors: Alex Smith acquisition was a longshot
In Cleveland Browns rumors, the franchise turned out to be a longshot to acquire former Chiefs starters Alex Smith according to one columnist.
Cleveland Browns rumors will continue to heat up as the NFL combine and free agency approach, but as for how the team missed on Alex Smith–it never really had a chance.
Smith had no interest in becoming a bridge quarterback at this point of his career, according to Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto.
That’s evidenced by the guaranteed money Smith took from Washington, which Pluto wrote was closer to $50 million, than the $70 million originally reported (Smith would take the later sum if he suffered a serious injury).
In addition to the difference in opinion shared by Smith and the Browns about where the quarterback was at this point of his career, Cleveland didn’t have a player to trade on the same level of corner Kendall Fuller.
"“Lost in the analysis of the deal is Fuller, a 22-year-old defense back. I talked to one executive who considers Fuller a first-round talent. He is still on his rookie contract, having two years and $1.8 million remaining,” Pluto wrote. “Not only is Fuller young and cheap, he is considered perhaps the NFL’s best defensive back when it comes to covering slot receivers. He had four interceptions and broke up 10 passes last season.”"
The Browns offered a second-round pick for Smith, which is a good offer.
Who were the Browns supposed to give up for a guy they clearly only wanted for a year or two? Myles Garrett? That’s not a good idea.
1. If there’s a takeaway from the Browns’ pursuit of Smith, which included other draft choice in addition to the second-round choice, it’s that the Browns attempted to find a short-term solution first.
2. This makes the Kirk Cousins rumors to Cleveland rumors seem a little off, because it’s the complete opposite of the strategy John Dorsey employed by trying to acquire Smith.
Had he been successful in executing a trade with the Chiefs, in all likelihood, he would’ve tipped his hand on the selection of one of the promising young quarterbacks available in the first round of the upcoming draft.
Targeting Cousins eliminates the need to take a quarterback early on.
3. It just doesn’t make sense for Dorsey’s “Plan B” to be to do the opposite of his original plan just because it failed.
Pluto also wrote about Chase Daniel possibility being an option, as the Saints backup and Dorsey have a history together. Pluto also dropped the name Josh McCown, who was written about on this site earlier in the week.
4. The longtime Cleveland columnist also wrote about the possibility of acquiring one of the Minnesota quarterbacks, because as it stands, Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum and Sam Bradford would be available.
5. And there’s always Tyrod Taylor, who’s under contract for $16 million in 2018 to Buffalo. I’m not entirely convinced the Bills cut the analytics favorite though, just because they’ll still have to pay him $9.5 million.
The Bills are still going to need a backup, even if they acquire a veteran this offseason. After watching Nathan Peterman‘s debut, it’s hard to believe they can go into the season with the former Pitt product one play away from being their QB1.
6. Taylor doesn’t make sense now for the Cleveland though. Former quarterbacks coach Andy Lee and Taylor have a history together, but now with Todd Haley calling the plays, a player like Taylor doesn’t fit into the mold.
Next: Why the Browns don't have to take a QB first
7. A.J. McCarron may also be an option for the Browns in 2018, but the question of whether he’ll be a restricted, or unrestricted free agent still has to be answered.