The Dallas Cowboys added free agent Cornerback Saivion Smith yesterday. So, who is this guy? What significance could this move on the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft and the rest of the offseason process?
Smith's most recent job in professional football was in the XFL with the Houston Roughnecks. He went undrafted by NFL teams in 2019 and signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but didn't make it past final cuts.
Cowboys have signed CB Saivion Smith (6-1, 200). He's a former 5-star recruit who went to LSU before finishing his college career at Alabama. Smith had 3 INTs, 5 pass breakups for the Crimson Tide in 2018. He was signed last year by the Jaguars but has not played in an NFL game
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 10, 2020
CB Saivion Smith was a starter at Alabama in 2018 after transferring to the Tide. Led them with 3 picks that year. Left with a year of eligibility remaining, went undrafted, cut by the Jaguars at the end of camp last year.
— Rob Phillips (@robphillips3) April 10, 2020
Though coming off the football scrap heap, Saivion is still just 22 years old and has some solid NFL measurables. At the 2019 combine he was listed at 6'1″ and 199 lbs.
While Saivion did go undrafted last year at least one draft analyst had Smith pegged as having 4th-5th round potential. However, the Cowboys selected Miami's Michael Jackson in the 5th Round of the 2019 Draft.
Still, that doesn't mean they didn't have their eye on Smith. He certainly has the body type that Kris Richard was looking for in his cornerbacks.
Of course, this move has no bearing on the Cowboys' plans for the top of the 2020 Draft. They still need a true number-one CB to replace Byron Jones and I would expect one to be taken in the first or second round.
However, there are opportunities at the bottom of the depth chart and practice squad for a guy like Saivion. Dallas cut Michael Jackson last year as a rookie and recently lost prospect Donovan Olumba in free agency. Smith could compete for a developmental role.
One big year at a school like Alabama can go a long way to putting you on the NFL radar. We'll have to wait and see what Saivion Smith does to capitalize on this second chance.
