As the August 30 roster deadline approaches, undrafted free agent cornerback Avery Smith is trending toward cracking the Chargers' final 53-man roster. Despite facing long odds in a crowded position room, the former Toledo product has become one of the biggest standouts of the summer. Smith captured everyone’s attention during a training camp practice earlier this month by breaking up a pass from Justin Herbert and recording an interception against DJ Uiagalelei. He carried that momentum straight into the Bolts’ preseason opener against the Texans. During the game, Smith showcased his coverage skills after completely blanketing receiver Lewis Bond and breaking up a pass on a crucial third down. Later in the game, Smith stuffed a fourth-down run for a turnover on downs.
Chargers CB Avery Smith continues to stack good days, which is why I have him making the final 53. Smith had a third-down pass breakup after getting beat on the game’s opening touchdown. Here, he played through the blocker and stuffed a fourth-down run for a turnover on downs. pic.twitter.com/hVLJut5QoE — Gavino Borquez (@GavinoBorquez) August 17, 2026 Smith's sudden rise mirrors that of Nikko Reed, who successfully cracked the roster as a UDFA last season. While Smith is slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, his instincts, collegiate ball production, with 28 passes defended over his last two collegiate seasons, and extensive special teams experience give him a significant edge. By consistently making splash plays against first-team offenses and proving it translates to live action in the preseason, Smith is forcing management into a difficult decision. He is a legitimate challenger to earn the fifth corner spot behind Donte Jackson, Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still and Deane Leonard. This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Why Avery Smith is forcing his way onto the Chargers' 53-man roster