Gang Green Nation
Over the next few months, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at some of the late season signings who are under contract for 2026, and futures signings after the end of the season. We begin today with defensive back Keidron Smith, who is under contract for next year having played for the Jets in the last three games of the season.
The 26-year old Smith is listed at 6’2″ and 210 pounds and was undrafted out of Kentucky in 2023. He spent time with Miami and Washington in his rookie year before ending up with Denver and making his NFL debut in 2024. He registered seven tackles in nine games with the Broncos despite only playing 16 defensive snaps last season.
Background
Smith was a three-star cornerback prospect coming out of high school and headed to Ole Miss in 2018 where he played 12 games, starting four, as a true freshman.
Having racked up 47 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception in his first year, Smith made eight starts in 2019 and had 48 tackles, eight pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
He started all 10 games in the 2020 season and had 64 tackles and six pass breakups, then converted to safety and had 64 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in his senior year.
In 2022, Smith opted to play a fifth season but entered the transfer portal so he ended up at Kentucky, where he moved back to cornerback. He earned second-team all-SEC honors with 46 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions.
During the pre-draft process, Smith improved his stock with a good performance at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl that saw him invited to the Senior Bowl as well. However, he did not get selected in the 2023 draft and was picked up by Miami as an undrafted free agent.
Despite a solid preseason, the Dolphins released Smith in final cuts. He then spent a month on Washington’s practice squad before being released again and finally ended up on the Broncos’ practice squad near the end of his rookie year.
Smith was released three times by the Broncos over the next few seasons as he bounced around on the roster and practice squad, but made the first nine appearances of his career for them in 2024, recording seven tackles in a role that saw him mostly on special teams.
He was on the practice squad again this season but hadn’t played yet when the Jets poached him a few weeks ago. He was active for the last three games, mostly on special teams in the first game but then as a starter at safety in the season finale. He remains under contract for next season.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Smith brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Smith has nice size and average length, but only ran a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash and posted below average agility numbers at his...
