The Baltimore Ravens have a knack for finding effective free agents late in the offseason. Eric DeCosta and the front office always knock it out of the park with the NFL Draft and free agency, and this year was no different. However, teams have not even reached training camp yet, and there is plenty of talent for Baltimore to bring in who can make an impact in 2025.
One area the Ravens could target is a pass rusher. They have a knack for finding outstanding pass rushers late in their career and getting the best out of them. Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney are prime examples of this, and Za’Darius Smith could be next in line.
Smith had a strong campaign last season, tallying nine sacks between his time with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. He finished the year with a 74.7 overall grade per Pro Football Focus (PFF), ranking 33rd among 211 qualifying edge rushers. He was also above average in both pass rush and run defense. His impact goes beyond just the counting stats, though.
Ben Linsey of PFF recently wrote an article highlighting the predictability and unpredictability of defensive lines, and how versatile some defensive linemen proved to be in 2024. The research shows why Smith is a must-sign for Baltimore.
Smith’s entropy score, or his unpredictability, was a 4.66. The number ranked tied for fifth among all defensive linemen. His versatility to play all along the defensive front is why he needs to return to Charm City before the 2025 kicks off.
Za’Darius Smith needs to be a Raven
Among the top 20 in entropy scores, none play for the Ravens, and the only listed defender who played for the team in 2024 who was among the players with the lowest versatility is nose tackle Michael Pierce, who retired in March.
Baltimore tends to use their players all over the field. Although none of their guys ranked among the most versatile, head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Todd Monken love having “positionless” players. Smith could provide just that.
The former Kentucky Wildcat supplies enough juice to disrupt the outside edge of offensive lines and pressure the quarterback. He also has the size to wreak havoc on the interior. The combination of speed and strength makes him an intriguing free agent, and due to the production he is still providing at 32 years old, he should garner interest from many teams as they inch closer to training camp. Hopefully, one of those teams is the Ravens.
Smith would join a deep group led by Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, who both tallied double-digit sacks last season and rookie Mike Green and young pass rusher Tavius Robinson should also provide pressure. David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac could also break out, but if neither separates themselves in camp, Smith could be an easy choice to sign off the free agent market.
