Raiders free agent pitch steals former $66 million Pro Bowl defender from NFC contender

The Las Vegas Raiders could look to acquire another pass rusher to the roster. The team selected Boise State's Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round of the draft, and also retained Malcolm Koonce this offseason, but finding another experienced player opposite Maxx Crosby would be a logical move.

The pass-rushing market is pretty dry, but Silver and Black Pride's Bill Williamson believes the Raiders should sign free-agent edge rusher Za'Darius Smith to upgrade the defensive line.

"The veteran pass-rusher may have better fits because the Raiders would use him as a rotational piece. But they could use some more pass-rush juice and the accomplished Smith would provide it," Williamson wrote.

Smith is getting older and doesn't have the same juice he used to have, but the 32-year-old is coming off a productive 2024 campaign where he tallied nine sacks and his veteran leadership would be incredibly valuable for a Raiders team under a first-year head coach.

Additionally, Smith wouldn't be relied upon to be the primary pass rusher and could flourish playing alongside Crosby. The three-time Pro Bowler has posted 69 sacks in his 10-year career thus far, including three double-digit sack campaigns.

The Detroit Lions could have interest in bringing back Smith, as the team recently signed the veteran defender's nephew, wide receiver Jackson Meeks, to an undrafted free agent deal, and still has a need at edge rusher. However, if Smith is looking for a change of scenery in 2025, signing with the Raiders would be a nice move for both sides. Las Vegas would add a potential starter, while Smith would receive the chance to play meaningful snaps for a potential playoff contender.

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