Ryan

Smith

The Chargers entered Week 9 without a handful of corners due to various injuries, giving Smith his first start since 2018. Normally a special teams contributor, Smith was set to be the next man up in Los Angeles for a few weeks. The Chargers will have to continue digging deep into their depth chart to find starting corners. They face the Vikings in a potential shootout this week.

It’s a one-year deal worth $1.75 million. Smith was suspended for the first four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances last year, but returned in Week 5 to log 281 special teams snaps over Tampa Bay’s last 12 contests. 27 in September, he’s quietly made 16 starts since joining the Bucs as the No. 108 overall pick in 2016.

Smith can participate in training camp and the preseason, but isn’t eligible to return until Week 5. It’s not a huge blow to Tampa’s corner depth after they drafted a pair of corners on Day 2. Keeping Smith won’t cost the Bucs anything for the first month of the season, so this could end up helping his roster chances.

Smith played corner in college, but GM Jason Licht said he viewed him as a safety after last year’s draft. Smith did not see a snap on defense as a rookie, however, and it looks like the safety experiment may be finished, a fact Smith is fine with. “It’s my natural position,” Smith said of the switch. “I wasn’t mad that I was at safety -- it’s just that corner is where I’m more comfortable at.” Smith will try to earn snaps behind Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves.

Smith has been one of the standouts at OTAs. He didn’t see the field on defense as a rookie, but his arrow is pointing up after moving back to corner late last year. Smith should back up Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes on the outside.

Smith starred for small-school North Carolina Central before flashing plus athleticism at the Combine. He could be too short armed for the perimeter, but will be intriguing in the slot. Smith is also an excellent returner, which will be his most likely path to rookie playing time.

Smith opened his college career at safety before moving to corner the last two years. He’s expected to compete for a sub-package role as a rookie. Smith’s biggest impact should come as a returner.

Smith (5'11/189) made 42 starts for the NC Central Eagles, amassing 31 career pass breakups and seven interceptions and setting a school record in kickoff-return average (28.1). He earned second-team All-MEAC as a senior. Smith helped himself at the Combine, blazing 4.47 with a 36-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump. Smith’s build and short arms (30 1/2") will hurt his chances of making it on the perimeter, but he could be a sticky slot corner. Initially, Smith’s return value will be his NFL ticket. He has flashed zone skills at the college level, along with man to man prowess.