All-22 Analysis: Buffalo Bills DE Dawuane Smoot

18/05/2024

The Buffalo Bills haven’t made huge roster moves to add a ton of marquee outside talent this offseason, but they have been busy working to improve key areas of need with a fair amount of depth signings. For a team looking to make a run, though, the depth pieces are also critical.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot might just be someone who qualifies as one such depth piece. With A.J. Epenesa, Greg Rousseau, and Von Miller firmly at the top of the defensive end depth chart, it’s unlikely Smoot will usurp a starter’s spot.

Buffalo does like to rotate guys throughout games, and injury fill-ins are never a bad idea. Let’s check the film to see what Smoot may bring to the Bills in a depth role...

Play 1

As you might expect from a player with over 100 professional games under his belt, Dawuane Smoot has a few different moves. Beginning with a bit of impact (not quite a bull rush), Smoot got a little push on this play. They separated after the hit and Smoot tried a spin move on second contact. Neither of Smoot’s moves suggest he’s taking over a game, but they also don’t suggest someone who will be lost in the moment either.

Play 2

For this play, we’ll focus on Smoot engaging in a little hand fighting. Like above, the moves show off some veteran savvy, and on this particular play are pretty effective. It wasn’t a home run, but for a fairly quick passing play Smoot impacted the pocket.

Play 3

Smoot’s 2023 film shows him to be a little bit lacking in lateral agility. It’s almost like he injured his Achilles in the not-so-distant past and may have still been on the road to recovery. Hint: Yes. At 6’3” and 275 pounds at age 29, there is a chance he won’t ever return to pre-injury form — but Buffalo is likely gambling on some added health.

Play 4

You’ll notice in this play that the pursuit may have saved a first down. It all began with good field vision and the ability to shed contact and start running.

Play 5

This was Smoot’s only sack in 2023. We’ll call this a coverage sack. With time dwindling in the second quarter, it was either a big play or nothing. Smoot’s perseverance made sure it was nothing.

Play 6

The sample games I reviewed for this article were the two in which Smoot broke 50% playing time. Against the New Orleans Saints, Smoot arguably had his best statistical game. Against the Carolina Panthers, Smoot’s stat line was literally blank.

That’s not to say Smoot didn’t contribute in the win. On this play, Smoot was gaining the edge against his man and created a wider lane for his teammate Travon Walker to clean up.

Play 7

Similarly on this play, Smoot assists the result. He bounces far enough to the side after initial impact to make the guard chase him wide. That also leads to Smoot taking the double team with the tackle. Josh Allen (not our Josh Allen) is then able to stunt inside cleanly and create a little panic.

The Final Straw

Dawuane Smoot represents pretty much what you’d expect in terms of ability and potential. He’s a good veteran depth signing who should help keep the Bills’ defensive floor from falling too far. Smoot’s film shows off an array of techniques, all of which are workable or better. While the Jaguars had Smoot as a rotational piece, he was very much in the rotation — not emergency only.

It should also be noted that Smoot had five or more sacks in each of the four years preceding 2023 — which was the one season where the Achilles injury likely hampered his play. That’s not too shabby for a rotational guy. If he does indeed regain a little more lower body burst/agility he may see a similar role with the Buffalo Bills.