The Commanders reunite with a free agent to help fill in a void after losing a starter to a season-ending injury

Smith was drafted by Washington in the second round in 2015, and he's had a very productive career, even when he left to join the Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wise was a big piece of the defensive end group (no pun intended), and Smith fills in that gap at 6-foot-5 and 265lbs. Smith can rush the quarterback still and has 33 sacks in the last four seasons. He can also set the edge and is probably an even better run-stopper at this point in his career as well.

As we've seen last year, the Commanders can't afford to have a liability on the edge that can only do one job, and Smith is a well-rounded defender who can stop the run on the way to the quarterback, with no worries. He only missed two tackles last season and had 14 stops in the run game.

Versatility

With his size, Smith also brings the flexibility to line up more inside as well if the Commanders want to put Von Miller or Jacob Martin on the outside next to him. Think of him as the opposite of Daron Payne, who often rotates to the edge in certain packages.

The Commanders have a stout run defender in Smith, who can help set the edge in the run game, and he's still good enough in the pass rush to help others get to the quarterback, while he gets his own six or seven sacks a season. After missing out on Jadeveon Clowney after the Wise injury, bringing in the 32-year-old Smith was the best option available, and he fits what they need. Smith now reunites with Washington and is getting coached by his former teammate Ryan Kerrigan.