Scouting Jets defensive back Keidron Smith

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 begin today with defensive

back Keidron Smith, who is under contract for next year having played for the Jets in the last three games of the season.

The 26-year old Smith is listed at 6’2″ and 210 pounds and was undrafted out of Kentucky in 2023. He spent time with Miami and Washington in his rookie year before ending up with Denver and making his NFL debut in 2024. He registered seven tackles in nine games with the Broncos despite only playing 16 defensive snaps last season.

Background

Smith was a three-star cornerback prospect coming out of high school and headed to Ole Miss in 2018 where he played 12 games, starting four, as a true freshman.

Having racked up 47 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception in his first year, Smith made eight starts in 2019 and had 48 tackles, eight pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

He started all 10 games in the 2020 season and had 64 tackles and six pass breakups, then converted to safety and had 64 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in his senior year.

In 2022, Smith opted to play a fifth season but entered the transfer portal so he ended up at Kentucky, where he moved back to cornerback. He earned second-team all-SEC honors with 46 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions.

During the pre-draft process, Smith improved his stock with a good performance at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl that saw him invited to the Senior Bowl as well. However, he did not get selected in the 2023 draft and was picked up by Miami as an undrafted free agent.

Despite a solid preseason, the Dolphins released Smith in final cuts. He then spent a month on Washington’s practice squad before being released again and finally ended up on the Broncos’ practice squad near the end of his rookie year.

Smith was released three times by the Broncos over the next few seasons as he bounced around on the roster and practice squad, but made the first nine appearances of his career for them in 2024, recording seven tackles in a role that saw him mostly on special teams.

He was on the practice squad again this season but hadn’t played yet when the Jets poached him a few weeks ago. He was active for the last three games, mostly on special teams in the first game but then as a starter at safety in the season finale. He remains under contract for next season.

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 has nice size and average length, but only ran a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash and posted below average agility numbers at his pro day. His explosiveness numbers are solid and he managed 14 bench press reps.

Usage

Due to his measurables, combined with his physicality and the fact that he played as a safety in the 2021 season, most experts felt Smith would be better suited as a safety at the NFL level and that’s how he’s been used in his preseason and regular season appearances so far.

When he was a corner, Smith played exclusively on the outside, but has had experience of playing in the slot when he was playing the safety role.

Coverage skills

Smith is a versatile player but, as a cover corner, he has some limitations. In his first three seasons as a cornerback at Ole Miss, he got beaten for 18 touchdowns and gave up a lot of big plays. His movement skills are a concerns in terms of changing direction and his long speed.

When he moved to safety for his final year with the Rebels, Smith was more reliable in coverage and didn’t give up as many big plays. He also had a good year at Kentucky in 2022, despite moving back to the cornerback position.

At the safety position he can play a mixture of center field or man assignments, but will be better suited to a system where he can keep things in front of him by bailing deep or passing off downfield assignments.

Ball skills

Smith’s on-ball numbers were solid, if unspectacular, as he had 26 pass breakups in five years and never more than eight in a season. He did intercept seven passes, though, and then intercepted two more in preseason action at the NFL level.

Based on his game film, Smith has the ability to recover well and showcases good timing at the catch point.

Tackling

Smith has been a productive and willing tackler but some of his tackle efficiency numbers in college were poor. He had 14 missed tackles in 2021 alone. However, he then improved dramatically in 2022 after moving back to cornerback.

He has always had a bit of a knack for forcing fumbles and would have had one on Sunday if not for the replay booth overturning one, albeit correctly.

In Sunday’s game he racked up a team-high 15 tackles, although he did have a couple of missed tackles late in the game, including on Ty Johnson’s second touchdown as he got past him in the flat.

He can close fast on ball carriers and wrap them up to get them on the ground, but he will take over-aggressive angles at times and can be susceptible to fast changes of direction.

Run defense

Smith has always been a willing run defender, which was part of the reason why the position change to safety made a lot of sense. He’s active in run support and comes up to make plenty of plays near the line of scrimmage.

While most of his 15 tackles on Sunday were down the field, he was in on three near the line of scrimmage, so he did contribute against the run.

Physicality

Physicality has always been a big feature in Smith’s game and he is capable of laying some big hits on opposing players.

He is also physical in coverage in terms of slowing down his man, and shows the strength, technique and effort to fight off blockers.

Despite his physical style of play, Smith only had eight defensive penalties in 60 college games. At the NFL level, he had one defensive penalty in regular season or preseason action, for pass interference. He had another one yesterday, as he was called for a face mask penalty as he made a tackle on 3rd-and-20.

Blitzing

Blitzing is not something Smith has done much of at any level, although he did have one sack and several pressures during his college career.

At the NFL level, he was credited with a quarterback hit in preseason on this play where he didn’t actually blitz, but showed good range and hustle as a spy.

Special teams

Smith has plenty of special teams experience in multiple different roles. He has been a blocker on the kickoff return team, rushed punts and played the vice role on punt returns and had some snaps as a gunner in punt coverage.

He has some production at the NFL with four special teams tackles in regular season action and another four in preseason action.

However, he also has three penalties at the NFL level, including two for holding on a return.

Instincts/Intelligence

Smith is apparently a “film fiend” who loves to break down opposing schemes and opponent tendencies. Apparently, this obsession began in high school as he learned and memorized all the receivers’ routes. This shows up on film as he plays with good discipline and makes some quick reads.

Some scouting reports indicate he can be slow to anticipate or make reads but, if anything, his film suggests otherwise.

Attitude

Smith is a good teammate who brings energy and a positive attitude. This led to him being a team captain at Kentucky in 2022.

In 2021, he won the Chucky Mullins Award at Ole Miss, which recognizes courage, leadership, perseverance and determination.

As noted, his on-field discipline is solid, although he did have an unnecessary roughness penalty last season.

Injuries

Smith has been fortunate in his career so far, as he doesn’t have any documented injury issues. As noted, he played 60 games in college.

Scheme Fit

As noted, it seems like Smith’s NFL future will indeed be at safety and he is versatile enough to play a center field role or closer to the line of scrimmage.

At the NFL level, he has been a teammate of current Jets Nik Needham and Josh Reynolds.

Conclusions

Even though he was brought in late, the Jets got an extended look at Smith in the last game, so clearly were keen to see what he could do. He is another smart, physical addition which speaks volumes about the types of players we can expect the Jets to fill out their roster with between now and training camp.

He is not an elite athlete and, as such, may have limited upside. However, he is a versatile player, who could be a useful piece for the secondary but should at least provide good competition for the rest of the defensive backfield at training camp in the summer.