Falcons acquire defensive end Smith-Williams James Former seventh-round draft pick James Smith-Williams has played all four of his NFL seasons with the Commanders.
James Smith-Williams, a defensive end, has joined the Atlanta Falcons, the organization announced on Wednesday. Smith-Williams’ Vayner Sports agent, Mike McCartney, initially broke the news on Monday, stating that the player and the club had reached an agreement on a one-year contract. Smith-Williams was selected in the seventh round of the NC State draft in the past. The Washington Commanders, with whom he had played all four of his NFL seasons, selected him. The defensive end started 27 of the 67 regular-season games in which he participated. During that time, he had 85 total tackles, including 7 sacks and 14 for a loss. Two pass breakups were also his fault.
Despite all of that, Smith-Williams had what may have been his best season to date in 2022, starting all 14 of the games he participated in, recording 23 stops total, three sacks, five tackles for loss, and a breakup on the pass. At 26, Smith-Williams weighs 265 pounds and is 6 feet 4 inches tall.
Five players who were with another team in 2023 have now been added by the Falcons during the free agency period. But Smith-Williams is the first player from the ball’s defensive side. The others are tight end Charlie Woerner (49ers), quarterback Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), wide receiver Rondale Moore (Arizona Cardinals; via trade), wide receiver Darnell Mooney (Chicago Bears), and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (San Francisco 49ers). The Falcons also signed defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and cornerback Kevin King, but neither has seen on the field since 2021.
