Chargers Trade CB Avery Smith To Seahawks

The Chargers signed cornerback Avery Smith as an undrafted free agent during the spring, but they are now trading him for draft compensation. Smith is going to the Seahawks for a 2027 sixth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of The Ringer reports.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Smith played four years at Toledo, where he was in the same secondary as Eagles 2024 first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and Browns 2026 second-round safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren for various periods. Smith earned second-team All-MAC in each of his last two seasons, combining for 100 tackles, 25 pass breakups and three interceptions in 26 games.

While Smith primarily lined up as a boundary corner with the Rockets, they did use him as a slot CB for 126 snaps last year. He is now the latest newcomer in a Seahawks corner group that lost key contributor Riq Woolen to the Eagles in free agency. In addition to Smith, the reigning Super Bowl champions have added Trevon Diggs and Terrion Arnold in the past couple of weeks.

Arnold will not be eligible to contribute until he comes off the commissioner’s exempt list (if he does), whereas Smith and Diggs will provide immediate depth behind starters Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe. Third-round rookie Julian Neal could also factor in if healthy, but his season-opening status is in doubt as a result of a leg injury.

The Seahawks are also facing health-related questions elsewhere in the secondary, especially after losing second-round rookie safety Bud Clark to a season-ending ankle injury. Nickel corner Nick Emmanwori also underwent ankle surgery during the summer, though there is optimism he will be ready for the Seahawks’ season opener against the Patriots on Sept. 9. If not, the versatile Smith could help fill the void.