The New York Giants are bringing veteran defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot to their practice squad, a report from Tom Pelissero of Netflix confirmed. This isn’t just another practice squad signing; it’s a veteran with a real resume landing in a surprising spot.
A Veteran’s Journey to the Practice Squad
Smoot, who’s 31 years old, kicked off his NFL career way back in 2017 as a third-round pick for the Jaguars. He stuck with Jacksonville for eight seasons, a pretty solid run, before heading to the Bills in 2024. Then, get this, he was back with the Jaguars last season. We’re talking about a guy who played in all 17 games just last season, racking up 23 tackles, five quarterback hits, and two sacks. He’s got 127 career games under his belt, with 21 starts and a total of 27 sacks. That’s some serious production for someone now looking for a spot on the practice squad.
What’s Next for Smoot and the Giants?
The Giants clearly saw something in Smoot, even if it’s for the practice squad initially. It’s a depth move, sure, but for a player with his experience and those numbers, it feels like more than just a regular backup. They also worked out a couple of other guys on Monday, including Yannick Ngakoue and Julian Owkara. For Smoot, this is his shot to prove he still belongs on an active roster. You gotta wonder if that 27-sack experience is going to keep him on the practice squad for long, or if the Giants will eventually elevate him.
It’s a waiting game now to see if Smoot can turn this practice squad opportunity into a full-time roster spot for the Giants. With his track record, you can bet he’s ready to prove he’s still got it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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