Justin

Smith

He could face up to six months in jail and a suspension from the NFL if convicted. But he’ll play for the near future, no court date was set.

Smith would fit at left end in Denver, but his price tag will be high. Kelly is younger and should come at a more manageable rate. The 49ers are letting Douglas hit the market because they think he’ll get huge offers elsewhere.

Our last Rotoworld blurb on Smith had Maiocco calling him the 49ers’ “best defensive player” in 2010. He took it to another level in 2011, earning his first All-Pro pick and third straight Pro Bowl trip. Maiocco points out that Smith often commanded double teams, freeing up Aldon Smith to make plays. Smith was especially dominant in the 49ers’ playoff upset of the Saints.

Smith is a key member of Cincinnati’s defense, so we’ll watch the fallout from this news closely.

From 2011-2012 only two defensive linemen played more snaps than Justin Smith and Ray McDonald. Smith will turn 34 during the first month of the season and is coming off a torn triceps. The defense was noticeably weaker with Smith out of the lineup, so it’s in the best interest of the team to keep him fresh.

It sounds like Cowboy’s triceps/elbow is doing just fine. Fresh off signing a two-year extension, Smith is expected to be 100 percent for training camp.

Smith was entering the final season of the six-year, $45 million contract he signed in 2008. Expect this extension to kill two birds with one stone; soften his 2013 cap hit and keep Smith in town through his age-36 season. Smith’s 2012 late-year effectiveness was sapped by a triceps tear, but he’s still one of the game’s best 3-4 ends. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 player at the position in 2011, 2010, and 2009.

Smith has no interest in fading quietly into the night as he plays out the next three seasons. If he can’t be a full-time player, there’s language in the deal to let both sides out. “I won’t be a guy that’s around for 10-20 snaps,” Smith said. “It’s either I’m going (to play full-time), or I’m not going. And when it’s time to get my ass out of here, I’m going.” The Niners will groom second-round rookie Tank Carradine as a defensive end, but a healthy Smith remains dominant.

Interestingly, Smith negotiated this deal without an agent. His $7.5 million 2013 base salary was converted into a $6.56 million signing bonus, a $940,000 base salary with a $500,000 workout bonus, and a $100,000 roster bonus. In 2014, he’ll earn $4.55 million and in 2015, he’ll receive $2.65 million in salary. Despite Smith’s age, it’s a very team-friendly deal for arguably the best 3-4 end in football.

Smith has been listed on the injury report for the past two weeks with an “elbow” injury while he hasn’t put in any practices since suffering the original injury in Week 15 against the Patriots. If Smith indeed has a triceps tear, it will likely require offseason surgery. The 49ers and Smith are holding out hope that he can return for the playoff run. Ricky Jean-Francois started in his place in Week 16, and the defense was exposed by Marshawn Lynch in a rout.