Tag: Keidron Smith

Broncos sign 12 players to reserve/future contract

The Broncos signed 12 players to reserve/future contracts on Monday. They will officially join the 90-man offseason roster in March.

Following the conclusion of their 2023 season, the Denver Broncos have signed 12 players to reserve/future contracts.

Perhaps the most notable signing is that of quarterback Ben DiNucci, who spent all of the 2023 season on the practice squad and was elevated to Denver’s game-day roster three times.

With Russell Wilson expected to be released in March, DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham will be left as the Broncos’ two quarterbacks going into 2024. Denver will likely add at least one more QB, either through free agency or the draft (or both) this spring.

Players who were not on an active roster at the end of the season are eligible to sign reserve/future contracts (every player on the practice squad is eligible, for example). These players will officially join the 90-man offseason roster when the NFL’s new league year begins on March 13.

Here’s a look at the 12 players the Broncos have signed to future deals.

Why the Broncos re-signed a safety one day after cutting him

Broncos cut Keidron Smith to make room for Kareem Jackson on the practice squad. After the Texans claimed Jackson, Denver re-signed Smith.

The Denver Broncos waived veteran safety Kareem Jackson on Monday after he returned from a four-game suspension.

Denver hoped to re-sign Jackson to the practice squad the next day. In anticipation of re-signing Jackson, the Broncos cut safety Keidron Smith from the practice squad on Tuesday, according to The Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson.

The next day, Jackson was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans. With the possibility of re-signing Jackson ruled out, Denver promptly re-signed Keidron one day after cutting him.

“I texted him earlier,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “Obviously, when you have a veteran like that, there is a lot of communication that took place between George [Paton] and his agent. In fact, I spoke to him before he was claimed. We were all good to go, but the one outlier is another team can claim you.

“I can recall his rookie year — his first, second and third years. We had a lot of joint practices with Houston. It was pretty close. They were in the AFC, and we were in the NFC. I can remember him at nickel and corner. His family is there, and I’m happy for him. I’m a huge fan of his — a huge fan. It’s only fitting. He was a teammate of DeMeco [Ryans]. It’s a good thing for him.”

Jackson, 35, is scheduled to become a free agent in March. If the Texans don’t make the playoffs, the next two weeks might end up being Jackson’s final two games in the NFL. He has totaled 952 tackles, 22 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and three sacks in 201 career games.

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Broncos made several roster moves this week

The Broncos elevated QB Ben DiNucci and OLB Ronnie Perkins to the game-day roster for Week 16. Denver did not activate DB Kareem Jackson.

The Denver Broncos made several roster moves this week ahead of their Christmas Eve showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The moves started on Tuesday when the Broncos signed defensive back Keidron Smith to the practice squad. To make room for Smith, Denver waived safety Dallin Leavitt from the practice squad.

Later in the week, the Broncos elevated quarterback Ben DiNucci and outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday. Denver did not activate safety Kareem Jackson to the 53-man roster following his return from a four-game suspension.

The Broncos have a roster exemption for Jackson that expires on Monday. Once the exemption expires, Denver will need to either make a roster move to make room for Jackson, or release Jackson.

In addition to not activating Jackson, the Broncos also did not activate tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) from injured reserve. Dulcich was ruled out on Friday and will now miss another game.

Two former Dolphins sign with XFL teams on Thursday

Some former Dolphins find homes in the XFL.

Around the NFL, there are only 2,208 roster and practice squad spots for players to make a name for themselves. So, if a player can’t find a place to play with one of the 32 teams, they have the option to go to another league.

That’s exactly what two former Miami Dolphins did on Thursday, as offensive lineman Larnel Coleman and defensive back Keidron Smith have signed with the Houston Roughnecks and Orlando Guardians, respectively, of the XFL.

Coleman, 25, was a seventh-round pick of the Dolphins in 2021 after a collegiate career at UMass. He spent his rookie season on injured reserve and was on Miami’s practice squad in 2022 when he was signed by the Carolina Panthers. He’s only played in one NFL game.

Smith, 24, was an undrafted free agent signed by the Dolphins after this year’s draft following his time with Kentucky. However, he was waived during roster cuts. He spent some time with the Washington Commanders practice squad.

The XFL season is planned to begin in late March 2024.

Colts worked out QB Jeff Driskel, four others

The Colts held a workout for five players, including QB Jeff Driskel.

The Indianapolis Colts held a workout for five players, according to the league’s transaction wire Monday.

Among those five players included quarterback Jeff Driskel, wide receiver John Brown, tight end Antony Auclair, defensive back Keidron Smith and wide receiver Makai Polk.

The Colts have Kellen Mond on the practice squad while Gardner Minshew and Sam Ehlinger are on the active roster so it’s interesting to see them work out Driskel, who was released from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad last week.

We’ll see if anything comes of these workouts in terms of a signing, or the Colts may just be keeping tabs on available options.

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Browns host a slew of players for tryouts during 49ers week

The Browns have hosted 8 for tryouts.

As they do every week, the Cleveland Browns continue to keep the idea of churning their practice squad and bottom of their rosters by hosting players for a tryout. This is standard procedure for them, but did sign practice squad players a year ago from these tryouts, including Mike Brown who is now on the 53-man roster of the Tennessee Titans. This week, the headliners of this tryout were linebacker JoJo Domann and safety Tyree Gillespie as they continue to prepare for the San Francisco 49ers.

Practice squad players can only be elevated to the active roster three times before they are subject to waivers once again. The Browns tend to be proactive about finding new bodies for their practice squad when a player gets close to that total of elevations as the season goes on.

Here is the full list of all eight players the Browns brought in to showcase their skills.

Dolphins Wire UDFA Player Profile: S Keidron Smith

He’s another player changing positions at the pro level.

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The Dolphins Wire undrafted free agent player profile series is at its halfway mark. Looking at the class of 2023 Miami Dolphins UDFAs, there are a handful who could be diamond-in-the-rough finds for general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel.

The Dolphins and Grier have had well-documented recent success in the undrafted free-agent market, especially in the secondary. 2019 had UTEP’s Nik Needham get the call following the draft, and he was eventually named to the full-time roster after time on the practice squad.

Last season, fellow cornerback Kader Kohou made the 53-man team outright after he was an undrafted signee out of Texas A&M-Commerce. Both Kohou and Needham are part of a 2023 Dolphins defensive backfield that’s loaded with talent from the very top to the very bottom.

Sitting at the top of the group above Kohou and Needham are a pair with All-Pro notches on their resumes in Xavien Howard and newly acquired Jalen Ramsey. Throw in 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, and the Dolphins have a top-tier group of corners.

Rounding out the depth of that room would be Trill Williams, who’s another undrafted player who Miami took off waivers from the New Orleans Saints in 2021 and looks to rebound from a preseason ACL injury suffered last August.

Helping at safety are a pair of quality up-and-coming players in their own right, starting with potential star Jevon Holland. Pairing with Brandon Jones, who’ seemingly 100% after a 2022 ACL injury, he and Holland make Miami strong in the middle of the defensive backfield as well.

Add DeShon Elliott from free agency and yet another undrafted free agent in Verone McKinley III from last season, the Dolphins have a deep safety group to match their cornerbacks.

Enter a pair of 2023 UDFAs fighting for a chance to make their own waves within the Dolphins’ potentially lethal secondary. After recently looking at safety Bennett Williams from Oregon in this series, there’s another UDFA who will be fighting for a spot this summer in training camp – Kentucky Wildcat converted cornerback Keidron Smith.

Smith is well-seasoned, playing four years at Ole Miss, and even seeing snaps at each and every position within their secondary. Entering the transfer portal in 2022, Smith had a fifth year in which he played at Kentucky.

Playing mainly the boundary for Kentucky, and prior with Ole Miss, Smith is slotted as a safety for the Dolphins, and his path to a pro roster could be easier with this route. With great size for the safety role at 6-foot-2, Smith could rely on his physicality more than his pure coverage skills.

He’s a quality tackler and hard hitter, yet he lacks the ideal technique and fluidity to stay with wide receivers through their routes as a cornerback. However, he does have good awareness and ball skills to play in the middle of the secondary. He tracks ball carriers well and plays with a good mix of physical play and awareness, which could make him an “ace” candidate on special teams as well as a developmental safety.

As a Wildcat, Smith had a fine 2022, playing all 13 games and starting 12, tallying 46 tackles, five passes defensed, two interceptions, along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was named to the coaches’ and Pro Football Focus All-SEC Second Team.

Affectionately known as “Keibo,” Smith has five seasons worth of experience defending pro-level talent within the SEC, playing in a total of 60 career collegiate games between Ole Miss and Kentucky. With 47 being starts, he totaled seven career interceptions, 26 passes defended and six forced fumbles.

Smith is also a South Florida native, from West Palm Beach and out of Oxbridge Academy where he excelled in basketball as well as football.

Smith and the rest of the Dolphins have a series of organized team activities to look forward to, the first being next week on May 22 and 23. After a day away, the OTAs continue on the 25 and then the 30 and 31. One last OTA occurs on June 2, prior to a mandatory minicamp from June 6-8.

If there was ever a chip to place on this year’s potential UDFA to make the roster, it would be wise to put it on Smith’s number, which, at the moment, is 36, as per the Dolphins website.

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2023 NFL draft: Chargers showing interest in Kentucky CB Keidron Smith

The Chargers have a big-bodied cornerback on their radar.

According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the Chargers met with Kentucky cornerback Keidron Smith ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

After spending four seasons at Ole Miss, Smith transferred to Kentucky for a fifth playing season in 2022.

For his collegiate career, Smith totaled 269 tackles, 26 passes defended, seven interceptions, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

For his efforts, Smith participated in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and earned a late invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the prestigious all-star game for the best college prospects.

The 6-foot-2 and 203-pound Smith is a big-bodied corner who has experience across the defensive backfield, playing on the boundary, in the slot, in the box and as a deep safety.

The Chargers could use another versatile corner who can also provide depth and contribute on special teams early on, something that Smith would bring to the table.

Smith projects as a Day 3 selection.

Commanders recently met with a pair of Kentucky defensive backs

Washington continues to explore cornerback options ahead of the NFL draft.

You can’t say the Washington Commanders haven’t done their due diligence for secondary help ahead of next week’s 2023 NFL draft.

The Commanders have hosted multiple cornerbacks on top 30 visits, had virtual meetings, formal combine sessions and meetings at the Senior Bowl with multiple draft-eligible defensive backs.

You can add two more recent meetings to Washington’s pre-draft list. A pair of University of Kentucky defensive backs, Carrington Valentine [virtual] and Keidron Smith [top 30 visit], met with the Commanders.

Valentine has intriguing talent. He has decent size and length, in addition to athleticism. There are concerns, as he’s not been very good in run support, and his game is still raw. Valentine should go somewhere in the fourth round or later.

The Commanders also hosted Valentine’s teammate, Keidron Smith, recently.

Smith continues the trend of big cornerbacks Washington has met with. At 6-foot-2, Smith is long and has plenty of experience playing in man and zone schemes, which will make Washington’s coaches happy. Before transferring to Kentucky, Smith played four seasons at Ole Miss.

Both Kentucky cornerbacks would be good additions on day three of the NFL draft.

Jaguars 7-round mock draft: 9 potential targets after free agency

What position should the Jaguars target early in the 2023 NFL Draft?

The first two weeks of NFL free agency were more about subtraction than addition for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While the team reportedly aimed to keep offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and pass rusher Arden Key, both players signed elsewhere last week. Taylor signed a massive deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and Key joined the Jaguars’ division rival, the Tennessee Titans.

Jacksonville signed running back D’Ernest Johnson and reportedly agreed to terms with a couple defensive lineman, but none of those additions will change the team’s draft plans much.

With the 2023 NFL Draft now less than a month away, here are nine prospects who could make sense for the Jaguars: