The Denver Broncos led the NFL in sacks in 2024, and their pass rush should remain one of the top units in the NFL in 2025. However, there's a veteran pass rusher still on the market that could be the finishing touch to Denver's elite unit.
NFL Trade Rumors' Ethan Woodie recently named the Broncos a "sneaky team" to sign free agent Za'Daruis Smith.
Smith is one of the top free agents still available and has plenty of veteran experience. Should he sign with a team for 2025, he would be entering his 11th year in the NFL.
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Smith in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Kentucky. The defensive end played through his rookie contract with the Ravens, setting a career-high 8.5 sacks, at the time, in his final season.
That inked him a four-year, $66 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, where he broke out to become one of the top edge rushers in the league.
Smith played two full seasons with the Packers before getting hurt and was eventually released the following year. However, in those first two seasons, Smith collected 26 sacks, 29 TFLs, and forced five fumbles, earning his way to consecutive Pro Bowls.
After being released by the Packers, Smith originally signed with the Ravens but later backed out of the deal and landed with the Minnesota Vikings. Smith had another solid year with the Vikings in 2022, collecting 10 sacks, 15 TFLs, and 24 quarterback hits, earning another trip to the Pro Bowl.
Over the last two seasons, Smith spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, after the Browns traded him to the Lions during the 2024 season.
The veteran pass rusher will turn 33 years old this year, but his production has not slowed down. During his time spent with the Lions and Browns last year, he still managed to produce nine sacks, nine TFLs, and 17 quarterback hits, and has played in every game for the last three years.
Za'Darius Smith chases Anthony Richardson.
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"When I was scanning for teams that could use Smith’s services, the Broncos stuck out to me as a sneaky team who might have a weaker depth chart at edge defender than you’d think," Woodie wrote.
"The starters are set between Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper, but it gets thin quickly behind them. Jonah Elliss is the projected third pass rusher as it stands today, and though he had a decent rookie season, it’s a leap of faith to pencil him into a major role this year."
Denver's starting pass rush unit is locked in, but if anyone gets hurt or needs relief, Smith would be the perfect veteran player to step in.
"Convincing Smith to sign on for a backup role might be tricky," Woodie wrote. "But he’d still be on the field a ton in Denver."
Because Smith is approaching his mid-30s and he remains unsigned, the Broncos have a fair chance to bring in the veteran for spot play and veteran guidance. The addition of Smith could put the cherry on top of a defense that is already believed to potentially be the best in the NFL.