Ravens Re-Sign Daryl Smith

The Baltimore Ravens continue to keep their own players in free agency by re-signing inside linebacker Daryl Smith.

It is a four-year deal worth a total of $16.1 million. The guaranteed money and signing bonus are currently unknown. Once all the contract information is known, I will post a contract breakdown as always.

Last year was the only season that he had played with the Ravens during his career. Late in free agency, the Ravens signed him to a one-year deal worth just over $1 million.

Courtesy of ICON SMI

Prior to playing for the Ravens, he spent his entire career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Drafted by them in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft, he spent nine seasons in Jacksonville starting a total of 124 games.

His best statistical season with the Jaguars came in 2011. He recorded 107 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.

The reason the Ravens were able to get him so cheap last offseason was because he only played two games the year before. A nagging groin injury limited him to just two games all season. This injury––combined with his age, now 32––scared some teams away.

This signing turned out to be a steal for the Ravens. He stepped into the starting lineup right away and filled the void left by the legendary Ray Lewis who had just retied.

For the season, he had 123 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 18 passes defensed. Of these, his tackles, sacks, interceptions and passes defensed were all career highs. His interception return for a touchdown was his first touchdown of his career. This occurred in week three at home against the Houston Texans.

In the Ravens’ aggressive 3-4 defense, he excelled at blitzing. At least twice a game he would blitz through the “A” gap––between the guard and center. He also was great in pass coverage last season.

According to Pro Football Focus, he graded as the 16th best inside linebacker in the league out of 55. He had the fifth highest pass coverage grade and the third highest pass rushing grade. However, his run defense grade was the sixth worst in the league.

Last season, he provided key leadership and production at the inside linebacker position. Statistically he had a career year and even set a Ravens’ franchise record for most passes defensed by a linebacker in one season. His performance last season earned him this new contract which pays him just over $4 million per season. This average value per year is reasonable for a player of his caliber at his position. It will be interesting to see how much guaranteed money that he received.

For Smith, this is a fair contract and a very impressive birthday present. He turned 32 today and I can’t think of a better present than a new contract worth $16.1 million.

Overall, this is another solid signing for the Ravens this offseason. All they have done is re-sign their own players so far, but they have kept their most important free agents so far––something their couldn’t do last offseason.