Dan Quinn already knew about Preston Smith, but the Washington Commanders head coach wanted to bring the veteran edge-rusher back to the franchise that drafted him for two clear reasons.
Smith, a second-round pick for the Burgundy and Gold back in the 2015 NFL draft, returned to Washington on Wednesday, September, 17, but the deal was “a long time” in the making, according to Quinn.
The latter revealed “I’ve followed him for a long time. I feel like he’s one of those players I’ve known but didn’t have a chance to coach and always have wanted to. When he was able to come in for the workout and be here, it just felt like a good fit,” per Commanders.com Senior Writer Zach Selby.
Bringing in proven defensive help along the front seven became a priority after versatile lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. was lost for the season with a quad injury. Although they hosted an ideal replacement for the former New England Patriots defensive end, the Commanders opted for Smith’s greater versatility.
Commanders Had 2 Reasons for Signing Preston Smith
Quinn explained that “with Deatrich Wise Jr., out they wanted to add strength & at 265 pounds Smith adds some. Also versatile; he has played OLB in a 3-4 but can also rush with hand in the dirt. One source said interest heated up 2 weeks ago,” according to ESPN’s John Keim.
Being able to double up as an outside linebacker or a down lineman makes Smith perfect for the Commanders‘ hybrid defense. Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. love to mix three, four and five-man lines.
The approach requires bulky and flexible edge-setters like 6-foot-5, 271-pound Smith. He’s made a career out of putting heat on the pocket and controlling his gap against the run.
While his statistics are solid, but far from spectacular, Smith does the fundamental things well. Like maintaining “great gap discipline,” highlighted by Aaron Day of DLineVids, when dual-threat playmaker Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles tried a designed quarterback run last season.
The Commanders need to get stouter on the ground, and Smith will help, but he’ll also be an asset for a so far inconsistent pass rush. Washington’s defense has registered just four sacks through two games, but the unit has also only generated a mere 17 pressures, per Pro Football Reference.
Their pass rush needs more oomph, something Smith can provide.
Commanders Need More from Pass Rush
Quinn and Whitt’s defense already lacks a marquee edge-rusher, but they have been counting on scheming opportunities for roving linebacker Frankie Luvu. As well as hoping 36-year-old future Hall of Famer Von Miller still has something left in the tank.
Things aren’t working out as expected, but Smith can be an asset. Not least because he can create pressure from multiple spots.
A good example was this sack for the Pittsburgh Steelers against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals last season. Smith slide inside to defensive tackle and worked hard to get to the passer, per Steelers Depot.
This is the kind of move Wise would’ve made for the Commanders as a useful pass-rusher along the interior. Smith, who has logged eight or more sacks in a single campaign six times during his career, will contribute in a pass rush by committee approach.
Whether the headline act-less group will be enough to keep the Commanders‘ defense competitive is open for debate, but at least Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have moved quickly to offset the loss of Wise.
Commanders HC Reveals 2 Reasons for Signing Preston Smith