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Defensive Notes

Roquan Smith

Ravens strengthen defense with top tackler

It was overshadowed, perhaps, by the backup and passing downs running backs changing teams, but the Ravens made a move which might have a significant NFL impact the rest of the way. They acquired linebacker Roquan Smith from the Bears, giving up just second- and fifth-round picks.

The Bears, for whatever reason, haven't wanted to pay Smith, who will now be looking for a few contract from Baltimore. Given his body of work, they'll probably go ahead and do that.

Smith in his 4.5 seasons in the league has 607 total tackles. That ranks 2nd behind only Bobby Wagner over that span. He also has 16.5 tackles, which ranks 4th among the top 30 tacklers since 2018.

COMBINED TACKLES, 2018-PRESENT
PlayerGSkSoloAstComb
Bobby Wagner7010.0376280656
Roquan Smith6916.5400207607
Fred Warner726.0369197566
Shaquille Leonard6015.0347197544
Foyesade Oluokun726.0326215541
Jordan Hicks6810.5349188537
De'Vondre Campbell727.5347185532
Zach Cunningham645.0341185526
Budda Baker706.5374151525
Eric Kendricks626.5316208524
Lavonte David669.0357160517
Tremaine Edmunds676.5328187515
Joe Schobert647.5306192498
Demario Davis7221.0331157488
Blake Martinez5411.0291191482
Jaylon Smith639.0294187481
Myles Jack644.0294177471
Cory Littleton718.5293177470
Shaq Thompson668.5291175466
Jerome Baker7218.5296156452
Anthony Walker634.5294153447
Jordan Poyer698.0316129445
Jessie Bates III710.0313131444
Vonn Bell693.5290137427
Devin White5318.0279143422
Kevin Byard723.0287131418
Deion Jones568.5269147416
Harrison Smith687.5302110412
Logan Ryan6510.5277132409
Leighton Vander Esch603.5257149406

One other notable defender changed teams yesterday: Denver pass rusher Bradley Chubb (5.5 sacks), going to Miami. This I think is a win-win deal. The Dolphins Defense needed help, while Denver might be able to get by without Chubb, who hadn't been much of a factor for them most of his career. Moreover, the Broncos get a first-round pick in the deal, which is huge -- they didn't have a first or a second because of the Russell Wilson deal. Now they do.

Chubb gets to start his Dolphins career with a matchup with Justin Fields, who's been sacked a league-high 31 times. Giddyup.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index