Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
When drafting a quarterback for your fantasy football team most gurus would only be looking to the top tier pigskin throwers such as Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or Drew Brees. The number two QB is often overlooked and underrated where most players go for a guy they can throw in for a bye week of their sleeper quarterback. What many people don’t understand is that the number two quarterback they draft could become their number one, and this is one position I believe you could find your fantasy football dark horse player.
Using 2012’s season for example, that idea would fit for rookie Russell Wilson who brought his Seattle Seahawks team to the playoffs or a man who’s ADP (Average Draft Position) was 118 and then went on to win Super Bowl XLVII’s MVP award, Baltimore Ravens‘Joe Flacco.
Digging into the 2013’s class of second tier quarterbacks, your go to guy could be the new addition to the Kansas City Chiefs, Alex Smith. Yes, the man who got benched by Jim Harbaugh for a young Colin Kaepernick who took the team to last season’s Super Bowl on a miracle playoff run. Smith has the talent, knowledge and composure to be this year’s ‘bench to starter’ kind of guy.
After the Chiefs’ dismal 2-14 record in the 2012 season, the organization decided it was time for a change. They brought in ex-Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid hoping he can bring a new dimension to Kansas City football. Reid is a 21 year NFL coaching veteran with an impressive resume. He began his career as assistant coach for Green Bay in 1992 which was the same year that future Hall of Famer Brett Favre became a member of the team. He moved on to Philadelphia in 1999, and in his 14 seasons as Head Coach there he took his team to the NFC Championship game five times, including his second season as coach, then went on to bring the Eagles to a Super Bowl.
Reid is known for his West Coast offense which he has tweaked since learning it with the Green Bay Packers. That offensive system bodes well for newly acquired quarterback Alex Smith. Reid’s West Coast offense involves utilizing the quarterback position to its utmost potential with a few wrinkles bringing it to a more complex scheme. The offensive game plan would give Smith plenty of opportunities to showcase his passing and running skills. Smith is surrounded by talent including players like Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe. Recently Bowe made a bold prediction as he said he expects to “lead the NFL in receptions and touchdowns. I’m going tire a lot of cornerbacks out.”
Reid seems to have all the faith in the world that Alex Smith with succeed in his system. Coming off a season where the Chiefs finished last in the league in scoring with just over 13 points per game, Reid’s system seems to be able to propel the offense to new heights. Who will be able to reap the benefits the most out of this system? Alex Smith. He has weapons at running back and receiver to keep the defense guessing all day long, and there will be increased protection for next season by drafting Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan with the first overall pick as well as a coach who has a vast knowledge for the game. He has all the necessary components to become a top tier guy at his position. Grabbing Smith as a late round number two quarterback could prove to be the steal of the draft that all fantasy players want to say they saw coming.
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