The Washington Commanders created a sizeable hole along the offensive line by releasing Charles Leno Jr., but they can fill the void by signing Super Bowl-winning left tackle Donovan Smith in free agency.
The latter’s still available on the veteran market, despite helping the Kansas City Chiefs win last season’s Super Bowl. Smith also has another Lombardi Trophy on his CV from his time with the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Signing Smith would mean the Commanders acquire “a serviceable left tackle,” according to Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team. Pizzuta pointed out that although the “Commanders have brought in a flood of free agents, their offensive line is a big question, especially with a rookie quarterback likely playing behind it next season.”
Putting Smith into the lineup would provide whichever quarterback the Commanders select in the 2024 NFL draft with a proven commodity protecting the blindside. Somebody who helped keep two of the greatest quarterbacks in league history clean in the biggest games.
Donovan Smith Has the Right Pedigree for Commanders
Smith’s pedigree is impressive beyond the championships he’s accrued. Specifically, he’s been relied upon by greats Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.
Brady benefited from Smith’s talents when the lineman started 15 games for the 2020 Bucs. Smith was near-flawless during the team’s postseason run, not allowing a single sack or yielding a penalty across 274 snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
He was nearly as good for the Chiefs in last season’s playoffs. The 30-year-old surrendered just one sack and a single penalty, giving Mahomes the time he needed to dominate.
While he rose to the occasion in the postseason, Smith had his issues in general play during the regular campaign. Issues like being “a decent pass protector early in the down — he was 17th in pass block win rate among tackles — but can struggle to hold blocks. He had a troublesome 5.9 percent passing blown block rate last season, per SIS. That, and a penchant for penalties, has slowed his market,” according to Pizzuta.
