Saivion

Smith

Smith’s 2022 was cut short by a scary head/neck injury that resulted in him being taken off the field by ambulance in Week 5. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Smith underwent offseason disc surgery but is now ready to return next season. A former undrafted free agent from the 2019 class Smith has bounced around on six different teams while appearing in 10 games. He’s appeared primarily on special teams for his career, and will likely serve as added depth in 2023.

Smith left the field in an ambulance in Sunday’s game against the Patriots but was released from the hospital and allowed to fly home with the team on Sunday evening. Smith will have extra time to clear concussion protocol as the Lions head into their bye week.

Smith collapsed to the turf while covering Hunter Henry in the first quarter. There was no apparent contact to Smith’s head or neck, but he is being evaluated for a neck injury. An ambulance came onto the field and after an extended period, Smith was loaded into the emergency vehicle. This was Smith’s first game with the Lions.

Smith was waived by the Cowboys early in the summer before being claimed and subsequently waived by the Seahawks. His stint in Denver lasted less than a month. Smith has been signed and cut by a handful of teams throughout his career, only seeing meaningful playing time with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks. He appears fated to be a practice squad player at the pro level.

A 2019 UDFA, Smith goosed his value with a successful stint in the XFL. He contributed 156 snaps between defense and special teams for the Cowboys last season. Still only 23, Smith will make a push for a 53-man roster spot in Seattle.

Smith signed with Dallas last year after going undrafted out of Alabama in 2019 and spending time in the XFL. He recorded three tackles in six games for the Cowboys in 2020. His release comes after the team drafted cornerbacks Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright.

Johnson received buzz last summer during Cowboys training camp as an undrafted free agent. He averaged 11.6 yards per target as a deep threat at Toledo, and was widely expected to make the team before a preseason shoulder injury ended his season. Dallas signed Smith, a former Alabama cornerback who has never played an NFL snap, in April. The team also waived Kendrick Rogers, an undrafted rookie WR from Texas A&M.

Insert Snoop Dog “Who?” meme. Smith has never played an NFL snap, but the former Alabama corner does possess plus size (6-foot-1 and 199-pounds) and earned a Josh Norman comp from PlayerProfiler.com. He’ll likely be battling for a roster spot come August.

Smith (6’1/199) spent just one season at Alabama after spending one season as a five-star recruit at LSU, then transferring to JUCO, then starting 12-of-15 games and logging three interceptions with a pick six for last year’s Crimson Tide. Plus sized with long arms (33 ¼"), Smith struggled in pre-draft athletic testing with a forty time in the 4.7s at Alabama’s Pro Day and only a 33-inch vertical in Indy. Smith may have to move to safety or focus on special teams in the pros; he’s a long shot to stay at cornerback.

A five-star recruit with IMG, Smith (6'1/200) made 10 appearances behind NFLers Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver as a true freshman at LSU. He spent 2017 at JuCo before transferring to a starting role with Alabama this year. Smith has a high profile and a full year under Nick Saban. He should test well at the Combine.