Offensive tackle Tyron Smith is still a free agent despite another productive season in 2024. Leaving the Dallas Cowboys for the first time in his career, the two-time All-Pro signed with the New York Jets and remained a reliable starter. While injuries limited him to 10 games, he finished the season with a 73.7 PFF grade, the 30th-best mark among tackles, and allowed just five sacks in 592 snaps despite blocking for a quarterback in Aaron Rodgers who likes to hold on to the ball.
Now a free agent for the second time in as many seasons, Tyron Smith is not the highly-coveted asset he would’ve been when he was an annual Pro Bowl selection. However, last year’s film proves he can still play, and Bleacher Report recently named him the best available tackle on the open market. Perhaps he’ll need to wait until after the 2025 NFL Draft to find a new home, but the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs could all use his services.
3 Teams Could Sign “Best Available” Free Agent Tyron Smith
Even though the New Orleans Saints are looking at quarterbacks, Derek Carr should return for at least one more season. The longtime veteran isn’t an elite quarterback by any stretch of the imagination but can succeed in the right environment. Unfortunately, he’s one of the worst in the league against pressure, and the Saints subpar offensive line could sink the season.
Fortunately, Tyron Smith could be a plug-and-play free agent. New Orleans already has a left tackle in 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga, but the youngster spent his college career on the right side of the offensive line. Perhaps Smith could learn right tackle on the fly, or perhaps the Saints plug the veteran in at left tackle and have Fuaga revert to his collegiate position. Either way, it should keep Carr upright and increase his odds of surviving a full 17-game season.
Other Fits
The New England Patriots hold the fourth-overall pick and could use that selection on an offensive tackle. However, if they instead choose someone like Colorado’s Travis Hunter, they’ll need someone to protect Drake Maye’s blindside. While the team addressed the right tackle position with the Morgan Moses signing, Vederian Lowe is still the top left tackle on the depth chart.
Tyron Smith may not be the player he once was, but the free agent is still a clear upgrade on Lowe. Maye showed plenty of promise as a rookie, and the Patriots committed to him by aggressively spending up on Moses and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. If they can’t find a plug-and-play left tackle in the draft, then Smith could fill that role for Mike Vrabel’s squad in 2025.
The Kansas City Chiefs made an uncharacteristic move when they signed offensive tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract. While the Chiefs need a tackle, it’s clear they overspent in desperation, as Moore has primarily been a backup throughout his career. Despite the high paycheck, Kansas City could use more security at the position, especially since right tackle is a bit of a question mark as well.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire – Imagn Images
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