ESPN analyst believes tackle Donovan Smith will benefit from playing in Chiefs’ system

During a news conference last month, Chiefs left tackle Donovan Smith shared the reasons why he believes he’ll return to form during the 2023 season.

Smith, who signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs after the NFL Draft, had a 58.1 Pro Football Focus grade with the Buccaneers a year ago. That was down from a career-best 83.3 in 2021.

Another person who is bullish on Smith is ESPN analyst Mina Kimes, but she did outline some concerns.

“When the Chiefs signed Jawaan Taylor, there was an assumption that he would replace Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle,” Kimes said. “Then we learned after they signed Donovan Smith from Tampa, that Taylor was gonna play right tackle, which is great for the right side of the offensive line because I think he can be one of the best right tackles in football there.

“My question is whether Donovan Smith can get back playing at the level he was a few years ago because last season was rough. He was incredibly penalized, had a lot of lapses in pass protection. And I think for Kansas City, for him to play at least at the level of Brown (Orlando Brown Jr.), that would be the minimum.”

Kimes believes Smith will improve because of the move to the Chiefs, where he’ll be helped out by others on the offensive line.

The Chiefs’ run game also could benefit Smith, she added.

“Now I think that Donovan Smith is going to benefit from playing for Kansas City,” Kimes said. “He goes from in Tampa playing next to frankly what was one of the worst interior offensive lines in football on account of all the injuries to a group with Joe Tony on the left side Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith that I think most ,people maybe behind the Eagles, would have as the best interior offensive line in football, so perhaps he’ll hold a little bit less if he knows that he’s not on an island.

“I also think that difference in these offenses will really help him in pass protection. The run game is very different from Tampa’s, which is a very just straightforward power run game. It’s more diverse. I think he might be on the move a bit more. And you know, I think the scheme also, which is of course very dependent on RPOs, can help him.”

Here is Kimes on Smith.