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Las Vegas Raiders sign former Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle11/02/23

NikkiChavanelle

Jaylon Smith Saints
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders signed linebacker Jaylon Smith on Thursday, the former second-rounder’s agent announced, via Josina Anderson. Smith, who played five seasons with Dallas before joining the New York Giants for 2022, previously worked out for the Raiders before the start of the 2023 season.

He ultimately signed with New Orleans. The Saints then released him at the end of August. His new team is 3-5 and going through a tumultuous period, including the recent firing of head coach Josh McDaniels.

Smith spent the 2022 season with the New York Giants playing on a one-year deal for $1 million. His contract ran out in March, making him a free agent.

In 13 games for the Giants, Smith had 88 tackles with one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss. His best years in the league, however, came with Dallas from 2018-2020. He signed a six-year extension with the Cowboys worth a whopping $68.4 million but they ended up cutting him just a year and a half into that new deal.

The Cowboys released him in October of the 2021 season. The Packers picked him up but he notched just one tackle in two games, then New York signed him following the end of the year.

The Dallas Cowboys drafted Smith out of Notre Dame with the No. 3 pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Rich get richer as 49ers add Chase Young at trade deadline

After dealing Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears, the Washington Commanders traded Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers, giving one of the NFC’s top teams yet another weapon on their stout defense.

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Young, the No. 2 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, is in his fourth NFL season. He had spent the entire time in Washington until the trade news broke on Tuesday ahead of the deadline.

In return, the Commanders will receive a third-round pick in the NFL Draft. This is a huge move for the 49ers, one that shows just how serious the organization is about making a run at this year’s Super Bowl.

Young made a huge splash during his rookie season. The former Ohio State standout was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after totaling 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a touchdown.

Since then, Young’s time on the field has been limited due to injuries. He played in nine games in 2021 and just three games last year. The defensive end has played in seven of the Commanders’ eight games this year. Young has accounted for 15 tackles and five sacks.