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22 hours ago
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The Los Angeles Rams were mere plays away from the NFC Championship Game last season, and they've made their roster better this offseason. They signed future Hall of Fame wide receiver Davante Adams to complement Puka Nacua, and Matthew Stafford isn't going anywhere after another strong season.
However, the Rams need to upgrade their defense, especially their edge rushers. Kyle Soppe of PFSN agrees, which is why he says free agent Za'Darius Smith would be the perfect addition for Los Angeles.
"As expected, the Los Angeles Rams posted a below-average pressure rate when not blitzing, an area where Donald’s presence was missed in a direct manner," Soppe writes. "They were, however, elite in terms of generating heat when blitzing (fourth in pressure rate). They were able to scheme up successful situations. The addition of Smith would, theoretically, bolster a spot of weakness, and that would only strengthen their upside when bringing the heat. Los Angeles is going to be in win-now mode as long as Matthew Stafford is on this roster, and a move like this would elevate their defensive ceiling."
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Smith continues to play well, even after 10 years in the league. He had nine sacks with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions in 2024 as well as nine tackles for loss. The three-time Pro Bowler has had success at every stop in his career. He registered 18.5 sacks across his first four years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2019 where his career really took off. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod that season after registering 13.5 sacks. In 2020, he was named Second-Team All-Pro. He was a Pro Bowler in his lone season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
Smith has 69 career sacks, and would become an instant difference-maker on the Rams defense.
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