The Carolina Panthers have a need for a youthful edge rusher and the Baltimore Ravens’ pending free agent Za’Darius Smith is one they should consider. Smith is a fourth-year defender who is coming off of an unexpected breakout season.
After collecting just 10 sacks in his first three years with Baltimore, Smith cranked it up and recorded 8.5 last season. Smith is 6-foot-4, 272 pounds and uses every bit of his size to rush opposing quarterbacks and get into the backfield. The Panthers only have one reliable defensive end in Mario Addison after losing Julius Peppers, so adding a rusher like Smith is essential this offseason.
Here’s how he could fit with the team.
Career Stats:
| Games | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | FF | QB Hits |
| 59 | 72 (solo) | 18.5 | 24 | 3 | 52 |
Pros:
Smith would bring an explosiveness that the Panthers’ defensive front seven has been missing. This move would give a legitimate long-term starter to pair outside with Mario Addison — the two combined for 17.5 sacks last season. He is only 26 years old and could stick around for a few years to really turn around the culture of the defense. He was also named the most underrated free agent of 2019 by Pro Football Focus.
Cons:
After coming off the season Smith had last year, he could command a large contract. He’s made around $4 million in his first four years in the NFL and will be angling for a significant raise after having such a productive breakout season. There is also the risk that he has only had one good year so far, and that he could regress to the mediocre edge he was his first three seasons.
Probability: Low
This move makes perfect sense for a team in need of an edge rusher so badly, but it will be tough financially. Carolina should at least take a shot at him, anyway.
