Alex Smith’s trade value and the 2018 quarterback market

If the Chiefs plan of succession works, Alex Smith could be out in 2018. Here’s a look at the QB market of 2018 and Alex’s trade value.

It was the trade that had everyone talking. The conversation, both local and national, came down to two parts.

1. The surprise that the Kansas City Chiefs had actually invested in a first-round quarterback for first time in over 30 years.
2. The cost paid by John Dorsey to the Buffalo Bills to move up from No. 27 overall to No. 10.

Depending on whether or not you were excited about the move largely depended upon your feelings about Alex Smith. On a local level, the buzz over Patrick Mahomes, the dramatic and confident move up the draft order, the excitement over a drafted franchise quarterback took over. Our own chronicle of the Chiefs draft party is a wonderful read about the frenzied fan base at the time of the trade announcement.

However, on a larger level, the Chiefs took their lumps. Analysts questioned the Chiefs draft class, panning Dorsey for allegedly paying too much to climb 17 total spots. Dorsey indeed paid the Bills a decent amount, giving Buffalo their 2018 first round choice as well as a third round pick this year to swap first round picks. In a draft class without a sure thing, once in which every single quarterback came with multiple warts, it was a head-scratcher for many wondering why Dorsey felt compelled to move up so high.

Now, this isn’t a column about the cost. Not only has it been paid, but even since, multiple NFL franchises have admitted they also wanted Patrick Mahomes, including the team who picked at No. 11, the New Orleans Saints. Dorsey paid what he had to pay and that is done. But what’s surprising is the cost on another side, certainly the thing that Dorsey has to laugh about when he reads that he paid too much.

It’s the price another team is going to pay to have Alex Smith as their starting quarterback.