Raiders sign veteran who tried out during rookie minicamp

Smith worked out for the Raiders during the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend on a tryout basis, and the team found something during the process that made the linebacker worth bringing aboard.

This will be Smith’s second go-around with the Raiders, as he played one game with the team in 2023 and registered two tackles. Similar to that short stint, Smith spent a season with the New York Giants under then-defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. That familiarity with the system may have played a significant factor in the Raiders deciding to bring him back a second time.

Smith was once of the most feared linebackers in the league, mostly during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. A second-round pick of the team in 2016, Smith recorded at least 100 tackles in three of his five seasons in Dallas. He also made the Pro Bowl with the Cowboys in 2019.

The Raiders have nothing to lose when it comes to entertaining the possibility of Smith making his return to the NFL after being out of football in 2024.

Smith adds some level of competition to a linebacker room that lacks proven options behind Elandon Roberts and Devin White. Should Smith struggle to make his presence felt, it will likely cost the Raiders nothing to cut him after training camp. If he succeeds, however, the Raiders suddenly gain a cheap option who could reasonably play serious snaps should someone struggle.

For Smith, this is his best shot at making his return to the NFL, and he now has at least a few more months to prove that the Raiders made the right decision betting on him.