Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year inside linebacker Andre Smith, No. 96.
Before the Broncos: Smith (6-0, 240 pounds) entered the league as a seventh-round pick out of UNC with the Carolina Panthers in 2018. He spent two years with the Panthers, playing primarily as a special teams player.
Smith went on to have stints with the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. He played a career-high 112 snaps on defense with the Falcons last fall after playing exclusively as a special teams player from 2021-2022 with the Bills and Titans.
Smith totaled 19 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup in 11 games (one start) in Atlanta last season.
Broncos tenure: Denver signed Smith in June after he tried out at minicamp. He joined an ILB depth chart that includes Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith and Justin Strnad.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Toss up. Smith’s special teams experience will undoubtedly help his chances of making the team. It will be a numbers game for the Broncos as they determine how many ILBs to carry on the active roster this summer. Smith’s chances seem to be 50-50.
