Is This the Last Chance for OLB Elerson Smith?

Elerson Smith, Outside Linebacker

Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 245 pounds
2022 Stats: GP 5, GS 0, three tackles (one solo)

A Minneapolis native and rising third-year player, Elerson Smith became a New York Giant in 2021 when the organization selected him 116th overall in that year’s NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie deal the following month but has since been an infrequent contributor on the field in his first two campaigns due to an inability to stay healthy.

Spending four collegiate seasons at Northern Iowa, Smith redshirted his freshman outing and did not get much playing time until he returned for his redshirt sophomore year in 2018. By the time he reached his redshirt senior year and opted to forego it to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft, he had accumulated 63 tackles, 14 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles to earn several accolades including first-team FCS All-American and first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference.

In his debut with the Giants in 2021, Smith appeared in eight games and made eight tackles before his efforts were cut short by injuries. He returned the following summer and gave the team larger contributions in the special teams department but again dealt with neck and other ailments that limited the 2022 season to five games and zero starts.

While he doesn't have much wear on his tires, Smith is returning to training camp in 2023 in an outside linebackers group that will lean heavily on the talents of younger centerpieces like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari.

He has the opportunity to make the roster and serve as a depth piece on defense and special teams, but if he can’t keep himself physically engaged, it could cost him a job as the Giants look elsewhere among their veteran assets.

Best Case Scenario

The Giants will likely look towards a combo of Jihad Ward, Tomon Fox, and Oshane Ximines to fill the immediate depth voids on the roster this season. They've also brought in Habakkuk Baldonado to potentially join the mix. But last year, Smith seemed to be carving out a role for himself in training camp in the sub-packages until his body broke down on him.

Whenever he saw reps on Thomas McGaughey’s special teams units, the 24-year-old seemed to fare pretty well. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith played in 51 snaps with the heaviest dose in the kick return game and posted a career-high 91.3 grade blocking for his teammates.

Two of his three tackles in 2022 came on special teams snaps, and he even blocked a punt in the Giants’ Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that helped set up amazing field position in one drive of that contest.

As mentioned, the key for Smith will be staying healthy if he wants a fighter's chance to retain a roster spot and earn his keep through the special teams again. If he does, the Giants will appreciate his presence and know the clean efforts he brings to football’s third yet just as important phase.

Worst Case Scenario

The Giants are setting themselves up to boast one of the most fearful edge rushing attacks in the entire league so long as everyone stays healthy. But if Smith again gets injured, there's a better-than-average chance that he's finished with this team--and yes, that includes any chance of him landing on the practice squad.

Smith also needs to clean up his tackling. In a small sample size, he's posted a 42.9% career missed tackle rate, failing to be in the right place at the right time.

Sith has missed a lot of football--even before coming to the Giants, his final college campaign was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. That's a lot of ground he needs to make up to where the coaches might decide to start fresh with a younger prospect.

What to Expect in 2023?

At the end of training camp, the Giants will need to make decisions regarding what positions they will value more and how many players they will retain in each group. It wouldn’t be a huge loss for the outside linebackers if they let Elerson Smith walk as a roster casualty amid two disappointing seasons with the team.

One of the biggest obstacles to the Giants' success over the past few years has been injuries, and the team has been atop the league consistently in that area. The trend needs to be bucked somehow, and one way will be shedding the baggage like Smith that furthers that problem and replacing it with more reliable players.

Smith could contribute to the special team--plenty of guys have made their living there. But again, if he misses any time, don't expect the Giants to give him another chance.