Marcus

Smith

The ex-Eagles bust was most recently with the Seahawks. Although only 26, he was supposedly “leaning towards” retirement after he failed to make the Seahawks in training camp. Smith will rotate in for snaps down the stretch.

Smith suffered the injury at Friday’s practice. Reports this summer haven’t been glowing for the former first-round pick. Smith and UDFA rookie T/G Dillon Gordon have matched up quite a bit, with Gordon winning most of the time.

Smith has seemingly been written off as a bust, but he was badly miscast in ex-DC Billy Davis’ 3-4 front. In Schwartz’ scheme, all Smith has to concentrate on is moving forward and rushing the passer, not dropping into coverage. Former Colts first-round “bust” Jerry Hughes blossomed under Schwartz in Buffalo.

It is about as far from a surprise as a decision can be. The owner of four career sacks, Smith is not even guaranteed to make the final roster this year after the Eagles added Chris Long in free agency and Derek Barnett in the first round. If Smith does stick around, he will be a free agent after the season.

He’s No. 7 among seven defensive ends, many of whom are camp body types. A bust seemingly from the moment he was selected 26th overall in the 2014 draft under the Chip Kelly regime, Smith is on track to be waived by September.

A first-rounder in 2014 at No. 26 overall, Smith has been a full-blown bust. He has just four sacks through three seasons and never seemed to find a position, working as a 3-4 outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and 4-3 end. Now an end, Smith is buried on the depth chart and has done nothing to warrant a roster spot. Still 25, he’ll likely get at least one more shot elsewhere.

The 26th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Smith was cut by the Eagles on Wednesday and cleared waivers Thursday. It’s likely a deal for the league minimum with little or no guaranteed money. Seattle loves taking fliers on pass rushers, and Smith joins ex-Dolphins first-round bust Dion Jordan as ones who have joined the Seahawks this year. Smith will compete for a pass-rushing depth job in this loaded front.

Along with the roster bonus, Smith is owed $889,515 in the final year of his rookie deal. None of that is guaranteed, so the Eagles could save nearly $1.5 million in real dollars and against the cap by releasing him before the bonus. Considering he skipped OTAs and was subsequently pushed to the bottom of the depth chart, it would be a shock if the Eagles do not release him before the bonus is due.

An expected move for months, the Eagles pull the plug before having to pay Smith a $594,000 roster bonus and save nearly $1.5 million. The Smith pick at No. 26 overall in 2014 by then-coach Chip Kelly was widely criticized from the start, and Smith answered by providing just four sacks in three seasons, failing to find a position. He should be able to get a second chance, somewhere where he won’t have to live up to the billing of a first-round pick. Smith turned 25 in March.

“Physically, he looks different. He gained 15 pounds, he put on a lot of muscle,” Barwin said. “He’s one of the stronger guys on our defense now. He took the offseason and did what he needed to do, which was get bigger, stronger.” Smith lacked the functional strength to compete last season, with former Eagles assistant coach Tra Thomas comparing his body to that of a “high school athlete.” Smith apparently took that criticism to heart. Chip Kelly has basically said he did not want to draft Smith, but with Trent Cole now in Indianapolis, Smith may be able to carve out a role in the outside linebacker rotation.