Chargers signing former Bucs CB/ST Ryan Smith

The Chargers aren’t done just yet in free agency as they have reportedly signed former Buccaneers cornerback/special teamer Ryan Smith to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

Originally a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina Central in 2016, Smith has been one of Tampa Bay’s best coverage players on special teams over the past few seasons. Last year, he played a career-high 78 percent of the team’s snaps on special teams, registering four total tackles on the year.

This move is all about reinforcing the third phase of the game for the Bolts after a 2020 season that saw them trot out what could arguably be called the worst special teams unit of the 21st century.

As a cornerback, Smith has recorded 16 starts in his career, all coming during the 2017 and 2018 seasons when he registered 10 and six starts, respectively. In 2017, he set career-highs across the board with 63 tackles, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. The following year, he set another career-high with sic pass breakups and his first NFL interception.