With the edge rusher position becoming one of the most valued commodities across the NFL, it is a shock to see one of the league’s most prolific defenders still remaining a free agent — even as training camp gets underway.
After the extensions to Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, and potentially Micah Parsons, the league has made the value of the edge rusher position crystal clear.
However, for a few select teams, the position could use some improvement. It just so happens that a three-time Pro Bowler remains available for any team to pick up. As a result, one analyst pegged the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears, and the New England Patriots as the best bets to sign a dangerous weapon to their respective rosters.
Which Teams Are In the Market For a Pro Bowl EDGE Rusher?
A fourth-round pick back in 2015, Za’Darius Smith has far exceeded his initial draft positioning. Over the years, he’s become one of the most dependable attackers in all of football, while also maintaining impressive malleability to all schemes and teams.
As we at PFSN mentioned when breaking down potential landing spots for the veteran edge rusher, “Za’Darius Smith has become a reliable pass-rushing mercenary over the last few seasons. Playing for four teams in the last four seasons, he’s tallied 37 sacks over his last 66 games. That checks out to 9.5 sacks over a 17-game average.”
His peak still remains incredibly high, as two of his three career Pro Bowl selections have come in the 2020s. Last year, he split time between the Cleveland Browns and the Lions, notching nine sacks in particular.
After Aidan Hutchinson went down with an injury, Smith was a key reason for Detroit remaining a somewhat respectable defense through the second half of the season as well. As a result, we believe the Lions could seek a reunion with the veteran edge rusher.
Za’Darius Smith among EDGE defenders since 2022:
🔹 18.9% pass rush win rate (6th)
🔹 16.1% pressure rate (6th)
🔹 90.2 pass rush grade (8th)Your newest Detroit Lion 💪 https://t.co/0Xc7BsA1bs pic.twitter.com/lr2GESthrh
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) November 5, 2024
“Given his performance there last season, it could make sense for him to return to Detroit.”
Still, two other teams are in mind for Smith as potential destinations.
“However, the Bears and Patriots are two more pass-rush-needy teams on the verge of playoff contention who could view Smith as the missing piece to help their defense get to the next level.”
Detroit Lions
Last season, Smith came over to the Lions almost exactly at the midway point of the season and suited up for Dan Campbell for eight games. During that stretch, he logged four sacks and 12 total tackles.
However, his biggest contribution was to the defense as a whole. With Hutchinson out for the season, Smith played a huge role in keeping Detroit as a top-five unit on PFSN’s Defense+ metric. As a result, it might be a smart idea for Campbell to want to reunite with Smith.
With defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn moving on and the defense needing all the help it can get in the wake of his departure, Smith could serve as the perfect insurance piece for the Lions.
Chicago Bears
From Detroit, we move to the new franchise whose former offensive coordinator is now the head coach. The Chicago Bears have made a clear effort over the last two offseasons to surround Caleb Williams with the right talent to allow him to develop into a quality starter.
However, that has somewhat come at the cost of the defensive personnel they can employ. The unit isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, but their pass-rushing group is suspect, at best. As a result, Smith might be a smart option for Chicago to target to raise the floor of the defense as a whole.
New England Patriots
Similar to the Bears, the New England Patriots prioritize their promising quarterback, Drake Maye. This offseason, they tried to improve their offensive line and the receiving corps that will support him.
RELATED: Why Is Za’Darius Smith Still a Free Agent? Examining Why the 69-Sack EDGE Is Unsigned
The defense took a bit of a back seat in that quest for the Patriots. However, the appointment of Mike Vrabel as the new head coach could allow the defense to turn a corner this season. But the addition of a proven difference maker like Smith could further allow New England to support Maye on the other side of the football.
