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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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The Las Vegas Raiders were without Malcolm Koonce last season after he tore his ACL before the season started. So, they had to rely on production from other players, like Charles Snowden, K'Lavon Chaisson, Tyree Wilson, and others. And, to be fair to those guys, it worked -- despite all of the injuries the Raiders had on the defensive line last season, to Koonce, Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, and Tyree Wilson, the defensive line was still really, really good, and that's props to Robbie Leonard, the DL coach. Now, it's been a year -- Koonce, who hasn't played in a year, was brought back as a free agent on a one-year deal, where he will get to prove himself, that he's still the same guy despite the injury. If he is, they will likely bring him back on a bigger, long-term deal. If he's not, then the Raiders may just move on. Koonce has been back at camp, and the Raiders couldn't be happier to see him. Patrick Graham is happy to see Malcolm Koonce at training camp “I'm excited for him to get a chance to get out there and get better. I'm glad he’s back. His energy both on the field and in the classroom is infectious. The fact that he goes out there and executes at a high level, it’s always encouraging to see that, and it’s a good example for other players," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said on Day 4 of training camp. 2023 was a crazy season for Koonce. His performance was particularly notable in the second half of the season, where he recorded six of his eight sacks and 10 of his 17 quarterback hits in the final four games, with a standout game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, where he notched a career-high three sacks and eight pressures against Patrick Mahomes. He was balling, for sure. His performance surged after Week 8, with 35 pressures, seven sacks, six tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles, establishing him as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers during that stretch. If the Raiders can get that back in 2025, things are going to get scary for the rest of the league.
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
The Golden State Warriors are yet to reach a resolution with Jonathan Kuminga this summer, and they seem to be biding their time for a superstar, should he be made available. The Golden State Warriors are yet to make any sort of move this offseason, despite being linked to both Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton. Priority number one seems to be figuring out the Jonathan Kuminga situation. He is a restricted free agent, and the Warriors have extended a qualifying offer, keeping him on the books for another season unless he is moved in a sign-and-trade, which seems to be a very real possibility. Kuminga and the Warriors seem to be on the outs, with both parties preferring him to play elsewhere this season, although it could benefit both of them for him to sign a longer deal with Golden State. Warriors would prefer to sign Kuminga to longer deal If Kuminga returns to Golden State on the one-year qualifying offer, he will make $7.9 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. As a free agent, he should be able to sign a lucrative deal next summer, but that means spending another year in Golden State, which he doesn’t want to do. On top of that, if he gets injured this season, there is no guarantee that his next contract will be maximized, so there is some risk involved. It seems counter-intuitive for him to sign a big deal with the Warriors, although committing–on paper at least–to the Dubs long term could work out for him. If he signs a new deal, he has to wait three months before being traded, although he will likely have more suitors than he would if he was simply playing on a one-year rental contract. For both the Warriors and Kuminga, signing him for three or four years not only would make him more guaranteed money, but it makes him easier to move. With Kuminga signed to a whole new contract, the Warriors can set their sights on a prized trade target. Kuminga could be centerpiece of Giannis Antetokounmpo trade Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to demand a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, but if the Doc Rivers-led team falls flat, even with Myles Turner in town, it stands to reason that the Bucks will have to have a difficult talk next summer. A fourth first-round exit in a row in 2026 would likely spell the end of the Giannis era in Milwaukee, and the Warriors, as well as the rest of the league, are gearing up to add him. With Kuminga signed to a longer deal, the Warriors can include him as a key part of a possible trade package. “There’s another reason why the Warriors don’t want to give Kuminga away for less than his full trade value: Like every other smart team, they’re trying to maintain every asset they’ve got so they’re ready once and if the Giannis Antetokounmpo market heats up,” wrote The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami. “If you’re looking to build a trade around a young player who could step right into a barren roster and give a transitioning team a burst of energy … well, I think the Warriors might have a candidate to bring up if Milwaukee ever asks. That is, if the Warriors and Kuminga can agree on a solid deal this summer.” It will take a lot more than Kuminga to land Antetokounmpo, although the Warriors could toss in Moses Moody, who was extended last summer, as well as up to three first-round picks and multiple pick swaps, possibly enough to get a deal done for a new franchise centerpiece to build around.