The Dallas Cowboys are interested in free-agent linebacker Malcolm Smith, according to Jane Slater of NFL Network. Smith began the season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but played in just two games and failed to log a tackle before being released in November.

 

The 30-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Southern California, was originally selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round (242nd pick overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played in 12 games during his rookie campaign, tallying 16 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in a limited role. He then appeared in every contest the following year, finishing with 22 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown.

Smith finally began to earn significant playing time in 2013, and that season, he registered 54 tackles, a sack, a couple of interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a defensive score. On top of that, Smith won Super Bowl MVP honors after the Seahawks' championship victory over the Denver Broncos that year.

After winning the Super Bowl MVP, Smith took a bit of a step back in 2014, totaling 40 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles, and that ensuing offseason, he signed with the Oakland Raiders. He broke out in his first year with the Raiders, racking up 123 tackles, four sacks, an interception, and three forced fumbles in his first season as a full-time starter.

Smith had another solid season in 2016, recording 103 stops, a pick, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery, leading to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017. However, injuries derailed Smith's stint with the 49ers, as he missed all of 2017 and played in just 12 games in 2018, accumulating 35 tackles.