Donovan Smith has won Super Bowl rings protecting arguably the two greatest quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.
The 6-foot-6, 338-pound Smith won his rings in Super Bowl LV in a 31-9 victory over his future Kansas City Chiefs squad with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and again in this year’s Super Bowl LVIII in a 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Now, the 30-year-old tackle is looking for his next move as a free agent, but who are Smith’s potential suitors?
Donovan Smith Free Agency Landing Spots
Does Donovan Smith Fit Baltimore’s Need at RT?
Smith went to high school just 3.4 miles away from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice facility in Owings Mills, Maryland. While he was raised in New York for much of his early life, Baltimore is also close to home for Smith and could be a potential fit.
The Ravens have a need at right tackle, following the trade of Morgan Moses to the New York Jets. While Smith has played left tackle for the majority of his nine-year NFL career, it’s a wonder if he can flip to the opposite side and work at the other tackle spot.
With Ronnie Stanley dealing with injuries for much of the past few seasons, Smith could get an opportunity to play left tackle in spurts. Patrick Mekari can then take Smith’s RT position.
Smith’s Favorite Team Growing Up in the Jets
Smith was born in Hempstead, New York, and stayed in the area until he was in high school. Many people in the area have to claim their loyalty to either the Jets or the Giants. It was the former in Smith’s case, and he made it known after winning the Super Bowl that he’d be open to returning home.
“I grew up a Jets fan. I’m from New York, so that would definitely be something I would appreciate before my career ends,” Smith said via Sports Illustrated. “It would definitely be something that’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for a lot of people, so we’ll see when that day comes. But right now, I’m just focusing on the big game.”
We Are…Steelers Country
Smith also made his bones as a left tackle for the Penn State Nittany Lions in college. As many know about State College, loyalties lie with either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Philadelphia Eagles. Although Smith may not have grown up as a fan of either team, he does fit a need for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh needs a left tackle to protect the blindside of newly acquired quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Smith has proven that he can be the head of security for two Super Bowl-winning QBs in the past. Mahomes’ mobility allowed for Smith to regroup and gain his footing in protection. Wilson and Fields can also do the same thing to an extent.
San Francisco Gains a Super Swing Tackle in Smith
The San Francisco 49ers are another Super Bowl contender in need of a tackle. While Trent Williams probably isn’t going to relinquish the LT spot anytime this upcoming season, Smith would potentially be an upgrade over Colton McKivitz.
McKivitz was tied at fourth with nine sacks allowed. Smith, facing tougher pass rushers at left tackle, allowed two sacks. There’s a caveat, though, with McKivitz signing a one-year, $7 million extension early in the offseason.
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San Francisco still has over $13 million in cap space, per Over the Cap. It couldn’t hurt to have two players duke it out for the position and to have an insurance policy at the left tackle position.
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