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Story Update (4:20 p.m. MT): Denver "will have interest" in Smith, per ESPN's Jeff Legwold.
The Raiders released veteran lineman Antonio Smith Tuesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Smith has connections to Denver.
Smith was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL draft and spent five seasons in Arizona before landing with the Texans. In Houston, Smith played under current Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and defensive line coach Bill Kollar.
Antonio Smith has a home outside Houston. Denver might be interested cause his Texans DL coach Bill Kollar is with the Broncos now.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 31, 2015
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle has linked Smith to the Texans, adding that Denver may also be interested.
Smith, 33, spent 2014 in Oakland, recording 20 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. His most productive season came in 2012 when he recorded 30 tackles, 7 sacks, and forced two fumbles.
Smith was due a $3.2 million base salary in 2015 after earning $2.25 million last season.
In his eleven-year career, Smith owns 302 tackles and 44.5 sacks.
Defensive end is not necessarily a position of need for Denver (Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe are projected to be the team's two starters), but Smith offers versatility. McClain believes that Smith can play at any d-line position in a 3-4 defense.
At the right price, Smith may be worth consideration as a rotational defensive lineman. Denver currently has just over $10.5 million in salary cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.