According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Denver Broncos claimed cornerback C.J. Smith off waivers from the Cleveland Browns today.
Source: the Broncos have claimed former Browns CB CJ Smith off of waivers.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 13, 2018
Smith is a 5’11”, 189lb cornerback who has played in two NFL seasons. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after going undrafted in 2016 and bounced on and off their Practice Squad that year before being released by them in 2017. He then signed on to the Browns practice squad before being promoted to the active roster for the final handful of games. Before being waived by the Browns, they did try to trade him to the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional 2020 draft pick but the trade was nullified after he failed his physical. Smith was then waived by the Browns on April 12th and awarded to the Broncos a day later.
He has played in 13 NFL games during his two-year career between the Eagles and Browns and has totaled only 2 tackles. He likely only played Special Teams with those teams during those 13 games.
As for Smith’s role with the Broncos, he is likely fighting long odds to make the roster. Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby are your starters, obviously. Behind those two you have veteran Tramaine Brock, 2017 third-round pick Brendan Langley.Brendan Langley, and UDFA Marcus Rios who flashed some potential last year. Add in that they will likely draft a corner in the first three rounds of the draft and the pickings for a roster spot are slim.
At the very least he will provide depth and competition at the cornerback position as the Broncos strength and conditioning program begins here in a week.