Washington Commanders' James Smith-Williams Signs with Atlanta Falcons

James Smith-Williams played four seasons for Washington. Now, he joins the Atlanta Falcons.

Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams (96) grabs the face mask of Indianapolis / Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY

A former member of the Washington Commanders defensive line is saying goodbye.

According to his agent Mike McCartney, the Atlanta Falcons are signing defensive end James Smith-Williams in free agency.

The 6-4, 265-pound Smith-Williams was selected in the seventh round by the Commanders in 2020 but has outperformed his draft slot, appearing in 55 games with 27 starts across four seasons in Washington.

Nov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

To date, Smith-Williams has 85 total tackles, seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 31 quarterback hits. His most productive year came in 2022, when he started all 14 games he played and logged three sacks, five tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.

This past season, Smith-Williams played in 13 games, drawing seven starts, and made 22 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits.

Smith-Williams, who turns 27 in July, started his professional career by playing over 70 percent of Washington's special teams snaps in 2020 but has played just 41 combined snaps over the last two years in the game's third phase.