As the free agency window approaches, the Dallas Cowboys are already being associated with potential acquisitions, particularly targeting a Cleveland Browns edge rusher. Despite boasting formidable pass rushers in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys recognize the perpetual need to bolster their defensive line.
Patrik Walker, a writer for DallasCowboys.com, suggests Za’Darius Smith as a viable option for the team. With impending free agency for Cowboys’ defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., Walker advocates for considering Smith’s addition to the roster.
“I was completely in on the possibility of the Cowboys trading for Smith in 2022, but it was instead the Browns that made that deal (though Smith did say he also had interest in Dallas, hint hint). He’s still cooking at 31 years old, and imagining him with Parsons and Lawrence under Mike Zimmer — his former NFC North foe — is nightmare fuel for opposing quarterbacks (but he won’t come cheap).”
Strategically, such a move aligns with a commitment to competitiveness. Although both Smith and Lawrence are seasoned players, their combined prowess could ensure a relentless pass rush, keeping them both fresh throughout games. Meanwhile, Parsons could continue to excel on the weak side while maintaining a significant presence on the field.
Smith’s journey to NFL recognition wasn’t conventional. Beginning in junior college before transferring to Kentucky, he didn’t initially garner widespread attention. However, his imposing physical attributes—standing at 6’4″ and weighing 275 pounds—caught the eye of NFL scouts.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Smith wasted no time in making an impact, amassing 5.5 sacks as a rookie despite not starting a single game. Though his tenure in Baltimore had its highs and lows, he notably recorded an 8.5-sack season in 2018.
Subsequently joining the Green Bay Packers in free agency, Smith’s tenure there solidified his status as an elite edge rusher, registering 26 sacks in 33 appearances. However, a back injury sidelined him for the entire 2021 season, leading to his departure. After a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings, where he accumulated 10 sacks in the 2022 season, Smith found himself with the Cleveland Browns.
Although his performance with the Browns was decent—garnering 5.5 sacks and three passes defended in 16 starts—it wasn’t exceptional. Spotrac estimates his next contract at $12.4 million annually, a figure that might strain the Cowboys’ budget, particularly considering their financial commitments to players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
While Smith undoubtedly presents an appealing option for offseason reinforcement, the Dallas Cowboys might find themselves financially restricted in securing his services, especially given the likelihood of having to split playing time with DeMarcus Lawrence.
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