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Las Vegas Raiders: NFC East 2021 free agents to ‘steal’

By Khaled Abdallah

Dec 27, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (91) walks off the field after the Washington Football Team's game against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (91) walks off the field after the Washington Football Team's game against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Raiders could bring Aldon Smith home. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Raiders could bring Aldon Smith home. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Aldon Smith could provide another boost on the defensive line

I know this sounds a little crazy, but after missing four years through suspension, Aldon Smith was a productive player with the Dallas Cowboys, and he could do the same in Las Vegas. Smith was a surprise signing by Dallas, but came through for them with five sacks, five tackles for loss, 14 QB hits, and two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown.

He is nowhere near the dominant force that he once was with the San Francisco 49ers, but at this point in his career, he could be an impact player as a rotational defensive lineman for the Raiders. The Raiders took a chance on him in 2015 while he was still working through his substance issues, and he was productive in limited opportunities, recording 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss in seven starts.

This is a franchise that is known for taking guys off the scrap heap, and making them impact players once again, and the path is there to do that for Smith. He may choose to return to Dallas to finish what he started, but if he is looking for new challenges a move to the Raiders could be beneficial for both parties.

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