Washington Redskins: Pros and cons of trading up for Dwayne Haskins

By Hunter Noll | Apr 10, 2019

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball in the first half against the Washington Huskies in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 11: Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Redskins talks with head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Pro: Alex Smith as a Mentor

The Washington Redskins have the perfect mentor for a young quarterback on their roster. Yes, Alex Smith is out for 2019, but he hasn’t retired. If Smith stays around the team, he could do wonders for Dwayne Haskins. Say what you will about his play on the field, but Smith is clearly an extremely intelligent quarterback who knows a lot about football.

There’s a reason teams love Smith. There’s a reason the Redskins traded a great young cornerback (Kendall Fuller) for him and immediately signed him to an extension. And there’s a reason the Kansas City Chiefs had nothing but fantastic things to say about the quarterback even after trading him.

Alex Smith is a professional. Look at Patrick Mahomes for the perfect example. Yes, he’s extremely talented and gifted, but do you really think it’s a coincidence that he looked that ridiculously poised (and ready) after spending a year under Smith, though? Do you really think Smith didn’t teach him a few things before departing?

Kansas City didn’t trade Smith because he’s a bad quarterback. They traded him because they felt Mahomes was ready. After one season, it’s clear they were right. It’s also clear that Smith played a role in the development of the young quarterback.

Having him in the film room and in meetings with Haskins would only accelerate the progression of the latter. Haskins is built for the NFL and has the opportunity to be great. Alex Smith will only make him better.

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