Two-time Super Bowl champion offensive tackle Donovan Smith is still a free agent, but that could change in the coming days. A second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Penn State product spent the first eight years of his career protecting the blindside for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a disappointing 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Smith hoping he could rebound in a new environment. While the team won the Super Bowl, Smith was nothing more than a replacement-level player and has yet to find a home for the 2024 season.
While he’s not the player he once was, he might be the best option for the Kansas City Chiefs. Second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia has struggled throughout the season, and former third-round pick Wanya Morris missed a portion of Week 10’s win with a knee injury. Even when healthy, Morris has not played well, and head coach Andy Reid did not rule out a reunion. Smith appears open to the idea, but the Chiefs might not be the only team pursuing his services. There aren’t enough good tackles to go around, and a team like the New Orleans Saints or Chicago Bears could go after the veteran.
Chiefs, Saints, Bears Could Try And Sign Donovan Smith
The New Orleans Saints are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but that won’t stop them from trying to win every game for the rest of the season. With Dennis Allen gone, interim head coach Darren Rizzi will try to make his claim for the full-time job. The team is off to a 1-0 start under Rizzi following an upset victory over the Atlanta Falcons, and they could continue their winning streak with improved play at the tackle position.
Rookie first-round pick Taliese Fuaga has undergone the usual growing pains brought on by the jump to the NFL and currently has the 43rd-best PFF grade of 76 eligible players. While he’s not playing like a superstar at the moment, benching him could hinder his overall development. The same can not be said for right tackle Trevor Penning, as the third-year veteran doesn’t have much room left for growth. While he played well against the Falcons, he has yet to perform adequately over a sustained period. Donovan Smith could add some competition to this room and push Penning for the starting right tackle job.
Saving Caleb Williams
Through nine games, first-overall pick Caleb Williams has not lived up to his elite draft billing. Widely considered to be the best quarterback prospect since Trevor Lawrence, the USC product enters Week 11 completing 60.5% of his passes for 1,785 yards, nine touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 60.1 PFF grade, the 34th-best mark out of 40 eligible players. Chicago already changed offensive coordinators, but perhaps this team needs more help on the offensive line.
Williams’ biggest flaw entering the NFL was his tendency to hold on to the football. This issue has carried over to the pros, as his unwillingness to sling it combined with subpar blocking has led to numerous sacks. Offensive tackles Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones are not the issue, as both players have top-30 grades at their positions. The interior offensive line, however, is a major weakness, and Donovan Smith could help out there.
With no reliable free agent guards available, Chicago could sign Smith to the practice squad and see if he can learn the position on the fly. Smith’s lack of foot speed makes him a bit of a liability at tackle, but that won’t be an issue on the interior. If he has the strength to hold up to defensive tackles, he could provide Williams with some adequate interior protection and give the first-overall pick some positive momentum entering the offseason.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – USA Today Sports
