Free Agent Signing: DE Chris Smith
The Browns have been so busy this offseason that they look like a brand new team and fans just don’t know what to do with themselves.
As a part of remaking this roster and priming it to win, the Browns added DE Chris Smith to their list of free agent signings Tuesday with a three-year deal for $14 million.
This signing, in particular, is not necessarily a “sexy” one given that Smith only recorded 17 total tackles with three sacks, two pass deflections and a forced fumble in 16 games last season. In fact, through four NFL seasons, Smith only has 46 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his career.
One thing to look forward to, however, is Smith’s ability to perform at defensive tackle on top of his usual duties as a defensive end in passing situations.
Former Browns tackle Danny Shelton had his problems on the defensive line because he was not a pass rusher and he did not fit the schemes the coaches wanted to run. The team finally realized it and they are taking the necessary steps to address that issue.
Smith, who often played behind players like Michael Johnson, Carlos Dunlap and Carl Lawson in Cincinnati, should fit well into a rotational role on the defensive line and use his abilities to play two positions to make his mark with these new-look Browns.
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