2021 NFL Mock Draft, 3 Rounds: Chiefs bolster O-line after Super Bowl loss

The Washington Football Team just saw Alex Smith honored as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and he truly deserved it. It was nearly two full years between his gruesome broken leg and eventual comeback but he found plenty of success once he was back.

Overall, his numbers weren’t eye-popping but he led the Football Team to a record of 5-1 when starting and overall, is now 11-5 for them. Smith’s play and leadership in 2020 was the catalyst that led them into the playoffs despite having a record of 7-9. Even with him not able to suit up in their postseason game, Washington was still an inspired team that took Tampa Bay to the limits.

Having said all that, Smith is not the long-term answer in D.C. — and he never was supposed to be. The former No. 1 overall pick will be 37 this coming season, so his days are limited for sure. That’s why the Football Team would be wise to get someone who can learn from Smith how to be a consummate professional.

That’s the plan here as they use the No. 19 overall pick on Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. Some have Lance as the No. 3 quarterback in this class but he’s hurt by the fact that his team played just one game in 2020. He’s also negatively affected by the lack of talent NDSU played against collegiately.

In the end, it could work out for him. He lands with a team here that won’t throw him to the wolves as a rookie and there may not be a better mentor in the NFL than Alex Smith.