With three weeks of NFL action officially in the books, free agent offensive tackle Donovan Smith is still looking for his next home. A second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Smith spent the first eight years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. While age caught up with the veteran, the offensive tackle still started 12 games while helping the Chiefs win their second Super Bowl in as many seasons. While the team decided to part ways in the offseason, the recent play of their tackles could cause them to kick the tires on the two-time Super Bowl champion.
The Chiefs selected BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the hope of turning him into a franchise left tackle. While he could develop into a cornerstone player, it’s clear that he’s not quite ready for NFL action. The rookie is splitting snaps with Wanya Morris, and neither player is doing too well. The Chiefs could sign free agent Donovan Smith as a short-term option, but they’re far from the only team looking for offensive tackle help. If Kansas City doesn’t act soon, the Baltimore Ravens or New Orleans Saints could make a move for the veteran.
Chiefs Could Lose Free Agent Donovan Smith to Ravens, Saints
The Ravens and Chiefs are in similar situations when it comes to their young offensive tackles. Much like their AFC rivals, the Ravens parted ways with a proven starter in Morgan Moses and placed all their faith in second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten. So far, the rookie hasn’t done much of anything, as Patrick Mekari beat him out for the starting job. Mekari isn’t an active liability, but the versatile weapon is better at guard. The Ravens need a guard too, as Daniel Faalele isn’t getting the job done and Ben Cleveland is not the answer. Donovan Smith is the best free agent tackle on the market and could solve two big issues for Baltimore.
Donovan Smith can ensure that the Ravens have adequate tackle play, but adding the free agent should also improve the interior offensive line. Patrick Mekari is a clear upgrade on Faalele, and adding him to the mix should ensure Baltimore has reliable starters at every position for the remainder of the season, barring injury. Seeing as the team currently sits at 1-2, they must act now if they still want a shot at the elusive playoff bye week.
Offensive Insurance
New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning played well in the team’s Week 1 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, but that probably said more about Carolina than it did the former first-round pick. Penning has gone back to being his usual self over the last two weeks, and that’s not a good thing. According to Pro Football Focus, the Northern Iowa product has been the 63rd-best tackle out of 74 eligible players. That’s clearly not a good thing, and Donovan Smith could help as a free agent.
Donovan Smith might not be the player he once was, but the free agent should be better than Penning and third-string tackle Olisaemeka Udoh. Derek Carr is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league against pressure, so keeping him upright is vital to getting this team back to the playoffs.
Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee – USA Today Sports
