CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As if the Cleveland Browns needed another reason to go after Alex Smith, consider this from Profootballfocus:

"One of the surprises of the season, Smith became the league's most efficient deep thrower, finishing first in adjusted completion percentage and yards while tying for first with 12 touchdowns.

"After generally ranking near the bottom in deep passing attempts in years past, a more aggressive approach had Smith ranked 11th with 12.3 percent of his attempts going deep this season. All told, it helped to pay off as he posted a career-high PFF grade."

I've always considered Smith a "game manager" style quarterback who also has the ability to run for first downs.

At best, I thought his arm strength was average.

Maybe it's average -- but he's finding ways to get the ball downfield to open receivers.

Of course, the Browns would have to secure some better receivers -- another job for new general manager John Dorsey.

It's common knowledge Dorsey likes the 33-year-old Smith. Trading for the veteran quarterback was one of his first moves after taking over the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.

The Chiefs season ended Saturday after they blew a 21-3 lead to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild Card game. The Titans came back to win, 22-21.

Had the Chiefs advanced deep into the playoffs, they probably would have been more likely to keep Smith.

Instead, they might turn to Patrick Mahomes. He was picked No. 10 in the 2017 draft ... by Dorsey. That was a month before he was fired as general manager of the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have Smith under contract for 2018 for $17 million. Kansas City also has some salary cap problems, another reason Smith could be traded.

Given the Browns have more than $100 million of salary cap room, that's no barrier for them.

The question would be what type of draft picks the Chiefs would want in return.

And Browns fans know, their favorite team has oodles of picks -- including three in the second round of 2018.

WHY SMITH?

Some things to consider about Smith:

1. He is the anti-DeShone Kizer. In the last three years covering 46 games, he has thrown 20 interceptions. Kizer threw 21 interceptions in 15 games this season.

2. Smith has lost six fumbles in the last four years. Kizer lost six fumbles in 15 games this season.

3. Smith has a 50-26 record in five years with the Chiefs. For his career, he is 88-62-1. Is he great? No. Can he win a lot of regular season games? Absolutely!

4. Besides the money, why would the Chiefs deal Smith? He's had problems in the playoffs. He is 1-4 in the postseason. He's not played that poorly: 65 percent completions, nine TDs compared to two interceptions in five games. But the Chefs could not make a real Super Bowl run.

5. Smith has become a victim of rising expectations in Kansas City. The Chiefs were 2-14 the season before he arrived. He helped turn them into a playoff team. But the goal is the Super Bowl, and January has been a cruel month for the Chiefs because of the playoffs.

6. Smith is very durable. He has missed only four games in five years with the Chiefs.

7. Smith would give the Browns an experienced, smart quarterback who is coming off the best season of his 12-year career. The Browns have not had a player like him since they returned in 1999.

8. Turnovers destroyed the Browns in several games last season. Adding Smith would cut them dramatically.

9. Several teams will be after Smith. Possible places for him include Denver, Arizona, the New York Jets and perhaps Jacksonville or Buffalo.

10. The more you look at Smith and how he fits with the Browns, the more attractive he becomes in an orange helmet.