The Tennessee Titans were awarded three players off waivers on Monday. Among the new additions was cornerback Melvin Smith. The Titans also signed safety Terrell Burgess and offensive tackle James Hudson, making five total additions after the initial 53-man roster was set.
Smith entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi was already in Tennessee, meaning he isn’t directly connected to Smith through his KC days. It’s safe to assume
the tendencies he searches for in late-round cornerbacks is still in place with the Chiefs, however.
Smith played 47 total snaps for the Chiefs during this recent preseason period. The former Southern Arkansas standout allowed four receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown, per Pro Football Focus. He also had six tackles.
The Titans waived Erick Hallett II to make room for Smith on the 53-man roster. It was a bit surprising, because Hallett played pretty well throughout training camp and the preseason. He has since been re-signed to the practice squad, so at least Borgonzi managed to retain him.
Smith did not play a single regular-season snap for the Chiefs in 2025. He essentially spent his entire rookie campaign on the practice squad. The Chiefs brought in multiple new cornerbacks this offseason, including former Titans L’Jarius Sneed and Kristian Fulton. They also drafted multiple corners, including first-round pick Mansoor Delane. That made Smith expendable to them.
It’s worth remembering the Titans claimed two cornerbacks off waivers last season. They added Jalyn Armour-Davis and Sam Womack II via the wire process. Armour-Davis was a downright liability, and Womack couldn’t really get on the field for them.
Most waiver additions amount to nothing; that’s why they’re available in late August. Borgonzi’s history with late-round cornerbacks in Kansas City makes the Smith addition interesting. Together, they found gems like Joshua Williams, Sneed, and Jaylen Watson. Speaking of Williams, he begins his first season with the Titans on short-term IR. That makes Smith the fifth cornerback right now.
Hopefully Smith turns into a waiver-wire gem.
