Miami Dolphins: Could a trade for Alex Smith be the answer?
By Randy Gurzi
The Minnesota Vikings made a trade for Sam Bradford after losing Teddy Bridgewater in 2016, but could the Miami Dolphins do the same with Alex Smith?
Bad news hit the Miami Dolphins during training camp when starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with a knee injury. After some initial reports offered hope, the tide has shifted and now there’s a fear he could be gone much longer than anticipated. The Dolphins have reportedly began reaching out to free agents like Jay Cutler, but could they instead decide to mirror a move made by the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles in 2016?
When the Vikings lost starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a non-contact knee injury last year, they elected to send a first-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for Sam Bradford. The veteran quarterback was expected to be under center on opening day for Philly, but the presence of a first-round rookie at quarterback in Carson Wentz made him expendable.
This season there could be a very similar situation for the Dolphins to at least kick the tires on. Miami, playing the part of Minnesota, should reach out to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are this season’s version of the Eagles.
More from Miami Dolphins
- Miami Dolphins: Jalen Ramsey’s injury not a huge set-back
- Dolphins could turn to other Vic Fangio favorites after Jalen Ramsey injury
- 2023 NFL Season: Evaluation 3 darkhorse MVP candidates
- Vikings to release Cook, Broncos, Dolphins to have interest
- Miami Dolphins: Which Jalen Ramsey will fans see in 2023?
In the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chiefs moved all the way up from pick 27 to 10 in order to draft rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech. Like Wentz in Philly last season, the Chiefs have been adamant that their rookie needs time to develop as they lean on a veteran player for one final season. In Kansas City, that experienced player is none other than 2005 first overall pick Alex Smith. That of course changed via the trade, and Wentz became a 16-game starter and played rather well considering the lack of targets for him to throw to.
As for Smith, he’s been the whipping boy in Kansas City the past four seasons since joining them after seven trying seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Despite his lack of popularity, Smith has been a winner, especially with the Chiefs where the team is 41-20 in games he’s started.
Ignoring the stigma that’s been attached to him, Smith really would be a good option in Miami — albeit with the caveat that they can’t get fleeced into giving up a first-rounder like Minnesota did for Bradford. He’s a better player than Matt Moore, who’s set to start currently, and a stronger leader than Jay Cutler — who they reportedly have shown some interest in.
If Kansas City were smart, they would be interested as well. The earlier a rookie plays the better. Wentz is light years ahead of where he would have been if Bradford stayed in Philadelphia. Mahomes, who is clearly the future, will be best served getting on the field and figuring things out. It would also help them recoup some of the stock they surrendered to obtain Mahomes (again, much like Philly did after moving up several spots to draft Wentz at No. 2).
Next: NFL 2017: Predictions for MVP, every award
Smith would also benefit as things for him would be much better starting without the threat of a 10th overall pick breathing down his neck. Something like a second-round pick seems fair and would be beneficial to everyone involved if they could make it happen.