The San Francisco 49ers are looking to strengthen their roster before the NFL trade deadline, particularly in light of their ongoing injury issues. With four defensive linemen currently sidelined, the 49ers are in need of reinforcements, and Sporting News writer Matthew Schmidt suggests that trading for Cleveland Browns defensive end Za’Darius Smith could be a beneficial move.
Smith has been a valuable presence alongside Myles Garrett and brings versatility from his experience with the Packers and Ravens. Schmidt believes that acquiring Smith could enhance the 49ers’ chances in the NFC. Although Smith’s prime may be behind him, he has still shown he can perform at a high level, recording five sacks and five tackles for loss through the first eight games of the 2024 season, which puts him on track for over ten sacks this year.
Originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015, Smith had a slow start in his career, totaling just ten sacks in his first three seasons. However, he broke out in 2018, notching 8.5 sacks and solidifying his place in the league. He later signed a lucrative contract with the Green Bay Packers and earned Pro Bowl selections, although injuries affected his performance in subsequent seasons. Smith’s current contract is manageable for the 49ers, with a low salary in the coming years, allowing them the flexibility to either keep him long-term or let him go after evaluating his fit in their system.
