Week 11 NFL Moneyline Underdogs
Mike Randle
After returning from a catastrophic leg injury and winning Comeback Player of the Year in 2020, Alex Smith won’t be back with the Washington Football Team in 2021, as the team released him Friday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Smith was injured in 2018, an injury that cost him the rest of that season and all of 2019 and reportedly was so severe that there was concern it could also cost him his leg or his life. But Smith returned in 2020, and after Dwayne Haskins was benched and Kyle Allen got hurt, Smith returned to the field. He played in eight games last year, starting six, and the team went 5-1 in his starts en route to a division title. Smith was injured again to end the season, with Taylor Heinicke getting the start in the team's lone playoff game.
Smith’s story was better than his numbers, as he managed only a 78.5 passer rating, 1,582 passing yards and a 6:8 TD:INT ratio for the season.
Fantasy slant: The Football Team is now officially in the market for a quarterback. Washington picks 19th in this year's NFL draft, so there's a chance they address the position with that pick. Our most recent mock draft has Washington selecting Alabama's Mac Jones at 19. Of course, there's also the possibility Washington brings in a veteran. Many have connected the dots between Ron Rivera and Cam Newton. Ryan Fitzpatrick or Andy Dalton could also be potential bring options. As for Smith, his 2020 comeback is a truly remarkable story. However, his days as a starting-caliber quarterback are in the past. If he does catch on with another team, it will likely be in a backup role.
