Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Linked To Surprising Team

Free agent offensive tackle and reigning Super Bowl champion Donovan Smith has yet to find a home for the 2024 season. After spending the first eight years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the former first-round pick jumped ship and joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. While the team won the Super Bowl with him as the starting left tackle, Smith himself wasn’t too special.

Starting in 12 games, the Penn State product finished the season with a 57.8 PFF grade, the 61st-best mark out of 81 eligible tackles. This came on the heels of a similarly disappointing 2022, so it’s easy to see why Donovan Smith has struggled to find a new team as a free agent.

However, while he might have dropped off a bit, he can still be an adequate short-term solution, as evidenced by the 2023 season. There aren’t enough good tackles to go around, and Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team believes that the Washington Commanders could sign Donovan Smith as a free agent.

Free Agent Donovan Smith Linked to Washington Commanders

While the entire body of work left something to be desired last year, Pizzuta notes that free agent Donovan Smith had some bright spots last year. Per the article, the offensive lineman finished the season ranked 17th in pass block win rate, but struggled to hold block beyond the first few seconds of the play.

Despite being one of the biggest spenders in free agency, the Washington Commanders could still use an offensive tackle. After surrendering a record number of sacks last year, the team parted ways with Charles Leno and currently has 2023 fourth-round pick Braeden Daniels set to start. Perhaps the former Day 3 pick can surprise, but it would make sense to add Donovan Smith as a free agent just in case Daniels isn’t up for the task.

Of course, this assumes that other teams won’t be fighting over the two-time Super Bowl champion. Once again, Donovan Smith is not the best offensive tackle in the world, but you could do worse than the free agent. Keeping a quarterback upright is one of the most important parts of building a team, and Smith would be an upgrade for these five teams.

Other Possible Fits

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have arguably the worst tackle situation in the NFL. Trevor Penning looks like a bust, and Ryan Ramczyk might be unable to play in 2024. This would be bad news for any team, but it’s especially worrisome for the Saints. Derek Carr is one of the worst in the league against pressure, and the tackle situation could sink the entire offense. While the team will probably select a tackle early in the 2024 NFL Draft, Donovan Smith could be a perfect short-term free agent signing for a team that desperately needs to make a playoff run.

New England Patriots

Four of New England’s five offensive line positions are set in stone. The fifth one, however, is the most important. After mutually parting ways with Trent Brown, the Patriots do not have a clear solution to the left tackle position. With the team likely to use their first-round pick on a quarterback, they won’t be able to get one of the top blockers in this class. With this in mind, they should consider signing Donovan Smith as a free agent. Anyone who watched the Carolina Panthers last year knows that a rookie quarterback needs a positive environment to succeed, and Smith can do a better job of keeping New England’s rookie upright than Veridian Lowe can.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys originally selected Tyler Smith to be the long-term replacement for Tyron Smith. Now that the future Hall of Famer is on the New York Jets, Tyler Smith will presumably move to left tackle after a Pro Bowl season at guard. In order to create the best all-around unit, the Cowboys could choose to sign Donovan Smith as a free agent and move Tyler Smith back to guard.

Baltimore Ravens

Up until this point in his career, free agent Donovan Smith has always played left tackle. However, he might have to switch sides if he wants to keep a starting job in 2024. The Ravens traded Morgan Moses to the Jets, creating a glaring need at right tackle. Patrick Mekari is currently set to start, but Baltimore should add some competition in case the versatile offensive lineman isn’t ready for full-time work.

Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh is not happy with the current state of the Los Angeles Chargers offensive line. While Rashawn Slater is one of the best in the league, the right tackle position could use some help. Chances are, the Chargers will trade back in the 2024 NFL Draft and select a tackle, but Donovan Smith would be a good short-term signing as a free agent.