Over the next few months, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at some of the late season signings who are under contract for 2026, and futures signings after the end of the season. We continue today with
safety Christopher Smith II, who was claimed off waivers near the end of the 2025 season and remains under contract for 2026.
The 25-year old Smith is listed at 5’11” and 195 pounds and was a fifth round pick out of Georgia in 2023. He has played in 41 NFL games and registered 10 tackles, albeit mostly on special teams.
Background
Smith was a three-star safety recruit coming out of high school and headed to Georgia where he was in a rotational role for his first two seasons, recording 11 tackles in 19 games.
In 2020, he made the first five starts of his career and ended up with 26 tackles, a pass breakup and four quarterback hits in 10 games.
2021 saw Smith establish himself as a big play specialist as he had 35 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups and three quarterback hits. He played in 12 games, starting 11 of those. He had a long pick-six against Clemson and an interception in the national title game.
Having returned for a fifth season, Smith was a first-team all-SEC selection and all-American as he had a career high 61 tackles and three more interceptions. He added career best numbers for pass breakups and tackles for loss with five of each. He added a special teams touchdown in the SEC title game as Georgia won their second consecutive national title.
Having attended the scouting combine ahead of the 2023 draft, Smith was ranked as a mid-to-late round prospect and eventually got selected by the Raiders in the fifth round.
In Las Vegas, Smith struggled to crack the defensive rotation, although he was active in 27 games over his first two seasons. He played just 33 defensive snaps and was primarily just used on special teams.
This season, he remained in a special teams role and was ultimately waived in November. The Rams claimed him and he played in four games for them on special teams before again being waived.
The Jets claimed Smith on Christmas Eve and he played in the season finale, albeit only on two special teams snaps. However, he remains under contract for next year.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Smith brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Smith lacks ideal size and length but he’s a decent athlete who ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He also did the explosiveness drills and bench press and posted solid numbers.
At his pro day, Smith participated in the agility drills but his numbers were below average in that area.
Usage
Smith has primarily played as a deep safety both in college and at the NFL level. Like any safety, he has also had plenty of experience of coming up into the box or matching up in coverage on tight ends and slot receivers.
Coverage skills
Smith’s coverage numbers at Georgia were fairly solid as he allowed a catch on 63 percent of his targets and was only beaten for three touchdowns with a 10.3 yards per reception average.
Most of his responsibilities involved sitting in center field rather than matching up, but he did show the capability do this at times.
He looks balanced in his movements with an ability to change direction and break on the ball.
Typically at his best when he can keep the action in front of him, Smith has good closing speed and competitiveness at the catch-point.
Ball skills
With six interceptions in his last two seasons, Smith could have some of the playmaking abilities that the 2025 Jets sorely lacked.
Most of his interceptions came as he was ranging deep, either so he could read and jump a route or come up with an overthrow or deflected pass.
When latching onto a deep coverage assignment rather than ranging over in coverage support you can see here how Smith can be more focused on his man than locating and making a play on the ball.
Run defense
Smith has shown some willingness to come up in run support and has typically graded out well against the run. His production in that area improved over the course of his college career.
Tackling
Smith’s tackle efficiency in college was pretty solid with just 12 missed tackles in his first four seasons. However, he missed 11 in his senior year and has missed some tackles at the NFL level, albeit mostly on special teams.
As a rule, Smith offers a lot as a tackler as he has been productive and shown good range and an understanding of angles. He shows some good technique in space and doesn’t tend to fly in recklessly.
He had one forced fumble in his college career.
Physicality
Smith displays good physicality, notably in terms of his hard-hitting both as a tackler and when breaking up passes in coverage.
Despite this, he has no penalties at the NFL level and only five defensive penalties in his college career.
Blitzing
Smith didn’t blitz very often in college and wasn’t credited with any sacks but did generate pressure at a good rate when he did rush the passer.
He was given credit for a sack on this play in preseason.
Special teams
Smith has plenty of experience on all the main special teams units. He doesn’t have experience as a vice or gunner but has blocked on the return units and in punt protection and rushed kicks. He has had seven special teams tackles at the NFL level, plus another three in preseason.
Despite these good contributions, Smith has more missed tackles than tackles in kick coverage in regular season action.
He had two special teams penalties and two tackles in coverage during his college career but, as noted, made his mark with a special teams touchdown in the 2022 SEC title game, which came on a 95-yard blocked field goal return.
Instincts/Intelligence
Smith’s reactions and anticipation in center field are excellent, although he was involved in this blown coverage early in his college career, which suggests he can bite on misdirection.
He has been described as smart and is considered diligent in terms of details and his preparation. This translates to some of his game film.
On the blocked field goal mentioned above, the play went viral as footage emerged of one of Smith’s coaches in the booth yelling at him not to field the deflected kick which had rolled down to the five yard line. However, Smith smartly took a good look upfield before picking the ball up and could see that a long return was possible because some LSU players ran off the field assuming the play was over.
Attitude
Smith was regarded as a leader at Georgia and, although he wasn’t named as a team captain, he did serve as a gameday captain.
He is considered a hard worker and his on and off-field discipline have both been excellent.
Injuries
Smith can’t use injuries as an excuse for not breaking through with the Raiders because he’s been healthy throughout his pro career. However, he had some issues in college. In 2021, he missed time due to a shoulder injury then suffered a significant right knee bone bruise. Further issues with the knee affected him ahead of the 2022 season as well.
Scheme Fit
Smith profiles similarly to Malachi Moore, whose size and 40-yard dash time were basically the same as Smith’s, and both were mid-round picks from major college programs. However, while the Jets seem intent on playing Moore closer to the line of scrimmage, Smith’s skill-set would probably see him better off staying in a deeper role.
He was a teammate of current Jets wide receiver Arian Smith with the Bulldogs.
Conclusions
Smith no doubt views his career so far as a disappointment, as he was unable to see any playing time on defense on a poor Raiders team. A change of scenery gives him an opportunity with the Jets for whom Moore is the only established starting safety under contract for the 2026 season.
While it may be a long-shot to expect Smith to get in the mix for a starting role with the Jets possessing plenty of assets and likely to bring in at least one more starter-level player at the position, he has a chance to make the roster and try to earn a shot at rotational reps going forwards.
