Atlanta Falcons Sign Ex Washington Commanders DE James Smith-Williams

Defensive end James Smith-Williams is the Atlanta Falcons' latest free agency signing.

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) scrambles past Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams (96). / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons have added another piece to their defensive line.

Atlanta agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams, his agent Mike McCartney announced Monday via X, formerly known as Twitter. Smith-Williams first visited the Falcons on Sunday.

Smith-Williams is the second free agent Atlanta's signed Monday, joining cornerback Kevin King.

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) scrambles past Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams (96). / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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 phrase.

Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith was the Commanders' vice president of player personnel when Smith-Williams was drafted, creating a natural connection between the player and front office staff.

Further, Smith-Williams is represented by the same agency - Priority Sports & Entertainment - as Falcons defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham and newly signed quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Now, all three are together, and Smith-Williams and Graham will look to hit quarterbacks - just not Cousins.