[
theramswire.usatoday.com] Za'Darius Smith should be Rams' top free-agent target after Ravens deal falls through
Skyler Carlin
March 17, 2022 12:28 pm PT
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Von Miller inked a deal with the Buffalo Bills on the first day of the new league year. With Miller headed to the Bills, the Los Angeles Rams may have been gifted a chance to replace him with a formidable edge rusher who has suddenly become available on the open market (again).
After agreeing to a deal to return to the Baltimore Ravens, Za’Darius Smith has now changed his mind and will consider other options.
We’ve seen multiple players now change their minds this offseason, but this one should immediately interest the Rams. The reported deal between Smith and the Ravens was four years for a total of $35 million, so he should much more affordable than Miller.
Smith has spent the past three years with the Green Bay Packers, where he tallied 12.5-plus sacks in 2019 and 2020, forcing five fumbles in that span. Just this past season, Smith was limited to one game for the Packers due to a back injury that required surgery.
At 29 years old, Smith now becomes the best option for the Rams following the departure of Miller in free agency. Replacing Miller is easier said than done, but getting a two-time Pro Bowler does soften the blow a bit.
The edge-rusher market is beginning to become extremely thin and Los Angeles should elect to bring in some reinforcements instead of staying in-house to address their pass-rushing department. Even though it would have been exciting to see Miller play a full season alongside Aaron Donald following a Super Bowl win, you don’t get many chances to sign a talent like Smith.
