Smith earned the deal he was looking for in Baltimore, which would make him the highest-paid inside linebacker in league history with a $20 million average. The Colts’ Shaquille Leonard ($19.7) and 49ers’ Fred Warner ($19) are right behind Smith.
Smith has been everything the Ravens could have wanted and more. Before Smith arrived, the Ravens ranked 20th in points per game allowed and 24th in yards per game allowed. They rank second in both categories since, giving up just 14.7 points per game.
Smith has 86 tackles, two sacks and one interception in nine games as a Raven.