TRADE 9: The Quarterback Market

As of 6:30pm today, half of the league was carrying at least two quarterbacks. For two teams, it is likely just a temporary situation caused by a bye: HCM (Dak Prescott on bye, Josh McCown starting), SPC (Russell Wilson on bye, Jared Goff starting) while a third had recently made a minor deal born of need: MMC (David Carr injured, Carson Wentz starting). That left four teams with a Quarterback to spare in trade:

• PAW (Brees, Newton)
• NYF (Roethlisberger, Palmer)
• RUM (Ryan, Smith)
• MAL (Stafford, Cousins, Luck on IR)

Savannah's 4-1 start has come under the direction of Eli Manning, but with the talent around him flagging, a tough matchup with a fearsome Phoenix defense impending, and having recently sent would be replacement Carson Wentz away for meager return, the team felt obligated to go in a new direction. In New York, Big Ben has struggled and retread Carson Palmer was just recently picked off the wire- so neither would represent a distinct upgrade over Manning. In Mar-A-Lago, Stafford has also struggled recently, and Luck is still not ready for action, leaving Cousins an immovable incumbent. So then, the candidates seemed narrowed down to Pawnee or Philadelphia. In the end the deal may not have been as much about the quarterback they acquired as it was about the player they had to give up.

SAVANNAH ACQUIRES: QB ALEX SMITH

PHILADELPHIA ACQUIRES: WR JJ NELSON

Alex Smith is actually the highest scoring quarterback on the season, although the wanton way in which he's been cast aside wouldn't indicate that; just under three weeks were spent with Phoenix, where he played his two 'worst' games of the season before hooking on with South Philly during Matt Ryan's bye, he'll hope to settle in as the answer in the deep South. Able to throw accurately, avoid the interception (11:0 TD:INT ratio on the year) and scramble out of trouble and for progress, he's got the floor of an adept game manager, but shown flashes of being more in his twelfth professional season. If he can deliver 15-20 points more often than not, he should give Savannah a chance to win each week. If he can do better than that, he's a steal at the game's most important position.

For the Rum Ham, the return (JJ Nelson) is hardly earth shaking, but there's plenty of upside to be had if he is healthy. A big play threat, he's a boom or bust home run hitter, best suited for choice matchups and bye week fills. Immediately he has an opportunity to be a difference maker with a prime showdown against a weak defense- and if he can get on a roll, he's the sort of cathedral ceiling player that could help Philly out of their 1-4 hole. The team has similar weapons (Jamison Crowder, Kenny Stills) that should not be counted on as every week starters, but a dose of luck in deploying them effectively could turn this whole thing around in short order.