AFC Bottom-Feeder Named 'Best Fit' for Chiefs' Super Bowl Starter
By Joe Summers
Former Chiefs starting left tackle Donovan Smith is still a free agent as OTAs are set to get underway. Kansas City hasn't shown much interest in bringing Smith back, especially after drafting BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia in the second round of the NFL Draft, so the 29 year old is still looking for a job.
ESPN put out a list of "best fits" for remaining free agents and they believe Smith is a perfect fit for the rebuilding New England Patriots, who had one of the league's worst offensive lines in 2023.
With Drake Maye now under center as the Patriots try to compete, should they add Smith?
Patriots Named 'Best Fit' for Patriots in Free Agency
Key in on Left Tackle Donovan Smith here. Backside of zone, he cuts off the B-gap defender well, latches on with power, and finishes through the play with a pancake pic.twitter.com/6ELvcQWoLz
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) August 14, 2023
Smith started 12 games for the Chiefs before suffering an injury late in the year. He returned to start all four playoff games, helping Kansas City secure a second straight Super Bowl win, its third in five seasons.
As ESPN explains, "Smith would provide good competition for the left tackle spot and, at worst, depth. He started for the Chiefs in the Super Bowl last season, and he posted a pass block win rate of 90.8% while allowing six sacks over 438 pass-block reps. New England needs reliable blockers for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, and Smith no doubt would help."
His experience and veteran savvy would give the Patriots' line a boost, though it wouldn't surprise me to see the Chiefs bring Smith back as depth instead. It feels more likely that Smith goes to a new team, but Kansas City could need the depth as we approach the season.
2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris, who is competing with Suamataia for the starting left tackle role, was arrested on misdemeanor possession of marijuana early Friday morning, potentially complicating matters. I don't think Morris will face any grave punishment, though an organization never wants a player arrested either way.
Brett Veach's comments about Suamataia and Morris imply that they're moving forward without Smith, paving the way for a team like New England to acquire the latter's services instead.
There's plenty of time for things to change, but I don't imagine Smith will be a free agent for too much longer.
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