Why Avery Smith is forcing his way onto the Chargers' 53-man roster
· Yahoo Sports
As the August 30 roster deadline approaches, undrafted free agent cornerback Avery Smith is trending toward cracking the Chargers' final 53-man roster.
Despite facing long odds in a crowded position room, the former Toledo product has become one of the biggest standouts of the summer. Smith captured everyone’s attention during a training camp practice earlier this month by breaking up a pass from Justin Herbert and recording an interception against DJ Uiagalelei.
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He carried that momentum straight into the Bolts’ preseason opener against the Texans. During the game, Smith showcased his coverage skills after completely blanketing receiver Lewis Bond and breaking up a pass on a crucial third down. Later in the game, Smith stuffed a fourth-down run for a turnover on downs.
Chargers CB Avery Smith continues to stack good days, which is why I have him making the final 53.
— Gavino Borquez (@GavinoBorquez) August 17, 2026
Smith had a third-down pass breakup after getting beat on the game’s opening touchdown. Here, he played through the blocker and stuffed a fourth-down run for a turnover on downs. pic.twitter.com/hVLJut5QoE
Smith's sudden rise mirrors that of Nikko Reed, who successfully cracked the roster as a UDFA last season. While Smith is slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, his instincts, collegiate ball production, with 28 passes defended over his last two collegiate seasons, and extensive special teams experience give him a significant edge.
By consistently making splash plays against first-team offenses and proving it translates to live action in the preseason, Smith is forcing management into a difficult decision. He is a legitimate challenger to earn the fifth corner spot behind Donte Jackson, Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still and Deane Leonard.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Why Avery Smith is forcing his way onto the Chargers' 53-man roster