Za’Darius Smith has been a very productive pass rusher since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. With 69 career sacks and three Pro Bowl selections, it’s somewhat surprising that he is still unsigned over a month and a half after the NFL’s free agency period got underway.
Possible Reasons Za’Darius Smith Is Still a Free Agent
Smith played for his third NFC North team in 2024, suiting up for the Detroit Lions. The Lions acquired Smith and a seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick prior to the NFL trade deadline.
Despite dealing with injuries along the defensive front, the Lions rode a strong season to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Smith contributed four sacks in seven starts, but Detroit cut him earlier this offseason. This was a bit of a surprise, but GM Brad Holmes later revealed that the team couldn’t afford Smith, who wasn’t willing to accept a pay cut.
While Smith has been a consistent contributor, he is entering his age-33 season, so that’s naturally a concern. It’s also worth noting that he has played for four teams in four years, which may raise some eyebrows (although there are no reports about character issues or anything like that). He was cited for possession of marijuana in 2019, but the charges were later dropped.
It’s possible that Smith was waiting for the 2025 NFL Draft to conclude before signing in order to see which teams drafted an EDGE, so that there wouldn’t be any surprises when it comes to the depth chart.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a number of contending teams inquire about Smith now that the draft is over. The fact that he has only missed two games over the last three years and recorded 24.5 sacks in that timeframe makes him an intriguing option for teams in need of pass-rush help who are looking to add the final touches to their roster.
PFSN’s Kyle Soppe named the Los Angeles Rams as a potential landing spot for Smith, arguing that his addition would shore up a clear area of weakness and raise the floor and ceiling of L.A.’s pass rush.
“The Los Angeles Rams posted a below-average pressure rate when not blitzing, an area where Donald’s presence was missed in a direct manner,” Soppe wrote. “They were, however, elite in terms of generating heat when blitzing (fourth in pressure rate). They were able to scheme up successful situations.
“The addition of Smith would, theoretically, bolster a spot of weakness, and that would only strengthen their upside when bringing the heat. Los Angeles is going to be in win-now mode as long as Matthew Stafford is on this roster, and a move like this would elevate their defensive ceiling.”
Los Angeles selected Michigan pass rusher Josaiah Stewart in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the rookie doesn’t project to be a Day 1 starter so perhaps a one-year deal for Smith is still something the Rams will explore.
