Many were looking for the big splash in the defensive backfield. They may have overlooked this under-the-radar signing.

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The Denver Broncos have just officially announced multiple signings. Including Tremon Smith, a versatile cornerback that is expected to play not only on defense but on special teams as well.

Smith is a young talent with promise, having proven himself as a consistent if not explosive returner and rotational cornerback during his stints with four teams in five seasons including the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans. The deal is for 2 years and $5.5 MM.

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After a rookie season in Kansas City that saw him play in 14 games recording a pass defense and one fumble recovery, his defensive production fell off the proverbial cliff until 2022 in Houston. He set career highs in literally every statistical category pro-football-reference.com tracks as you can see below:

The one place he has been a consistent contributor is kick returns as you can see below thanks to pro-football-reference.com:

As you can see above, he topped off as a returner during his rookie season with 886 yards but this is the one area he has been a consistent contributor of any kind before 2022. With his exceptional speed, agility, and quickness, Smith has the tools to give opposing receivers some problems with the right technique to complement his raw tools while hopefully solidifying a returner position with little to no impact in Denver since Trindon Holliday in the Peyton Manning Era.

The promise is in his size and speed (5’11/190 with a 4.38 40-yard dash). He meets the high RAS score of almost all George Paton additions with an 8.06 out of 10. He showed off some of what can be turned into defensive production in ’22 with 2 INTs 4 passes defended and 3 forced fumbles. Those are again all career highs.

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Now, with the Denver Broncos, Tremon Smith will have the opportunity to prove himself not only as a kick returner but as a defensive player as well. The Broncos have been in need of depth at the cornerback position since releasing Ronald Darby before free agency started, and Smith could be a valuable addition to the team’s roster.

At just 26 years old, Smith still has plenty of potential to tap into and develop. He will have the benefit of learning from experienced players such as Justin Simmons and K’Waun Williams. With his raw athletic ability and the right coaching, Smith could become a versatile and reliable contributor for the Broncos in the future.

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Overall, the signing of Tremon Smith is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Broncos after big swings like signing RT Mike McGlinchey. While Smith’s past production has been inconsistent, his potential as a kick returner and defensive player could make him a valuable asset for the team. It will be exciting to see how he develops in the upcoming season and beyond.

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