Linebacker Daryl Smith, the Jacksonville Jaguars' all-time leading tackler, finally has a new home. After making only one known free-agent visit to the St. Louis Rams in early April, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.
One of the few remaining veterans left on Around The League's list of the top 85 free agents, Smith was playing at a high level in 2011 before losing last season to a groin injury.
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The Ravens need the veteran depth at inside linebacker following Rolando McClain's abrupt retirement and rookie Arthur Brown's hernia surgery. Starter Jameel McClain still is waiting for full clearance to return from a scary spinal cord injury.
NFL teams are loath to commit to linebackers over 30 years old, but the Smith addition could pay huge dividends for the Ravens, who have so many question marks at inside linebacker following the departures of Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe.
Credit Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome for rebuilding his defense on the fly with a series of low-risk, high-upside additions.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
