Chris Smith

Career StatsD+

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		5	—	2	—
2025		4	0.0	5	1.5
2024		5	0.0	2	0
2023		3

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Detroit Lions secured exceptional value by locking up Chris Smith at just $1.1M, earning an A- CVI that represents one of the better bargains at the defensive tackle position this cycle. While Smith profiles as a rotational player rather than an every-down starter, finding quality depth at his salary level is increasingly rare in today's inflated market where even middling defensive linemen command $3-5M annually. The one-year structure keeps Detroit's financial flexibility intact while giving them a proven contributor who can spell their starters and provide quality snaps in sub-packages. Smith's modest cap hit allows the Lions to allocate resources elsewhere along their defensive front while maintaining depth that most teams would pay double to acquire. This is exactly the type of shrewd roster building that championship contenders execute — identifying productive players willing to take team-friendly deals for the chance to compete.

Performance Analysis

Chris Smith grades as a rotational player among NFL defensive tackles — a middle-of-the-pack player at the position. His strongest area is tackles for loss at 0.38 (near the NFL average of 0.35), ranking as near league average for the position. Tackling, at 1.25 compared to an NFL average of 2.30, is where he falls short relative to the position. His 2025 season graded as a D, a significant jump from his F mark in 2024. Limited games played (5 career) reduces confidence in this grade.

Fan Sentiment

A quiet but sensible depth extension keeping a rotational piece in Detroit's defensive line room. Headlines focus on broader roster moves, with Smith barely mentioned individually across four relevant articles. The key signal is his inclusion in the 2025 training camp defensive line preview, confirming a legitimate roster spot. Fans see this as a low-risk move to maintain depth behind Detroit's established starters. Smith projects as a rotational contributor who needs a strong camp to earn meaningful snaps.