Steelers to Work Out Veteran Free Agent Tackle

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to work out former New York Jets offensive lineman Eric Smith, according to NFL Draft Diamonds.

Smith, 27, was released on May 31 after the Jets signed free agent tackle Yodny Cajuste. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound tackle has played sparingly in his six-year NFL career.

Smith got his start as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia with the Miami Dolphins in 2017. He made the 53-man roster as a rookie, but suffered an injury that caused him to miss most of the second half of the season.

Smith made stops with the New England Patriots and New York Gets in 2018, also without appearing in a game.

He finally made his NFL debut in 2019, playing in two games and getting 56 snaps with the New York Giants, which remains a career high. Smith spent 2020 on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, then 2021 with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, dressing in one game for each team.

In 2022, Smith was the most itinerant he’s been in his career. He was waived by the Cardinals on Aug. 4, signed for a second stint with the Giants on Aug. 7, released by them on Aug. 29, signed with the New York Jets practice squad on Sept. 6 and was released by the Jets on Oct. 18. 

That was followed by two short stints on the Tennessee Titans practice squad, before he was re-signed by the Jets on Dec. 14 and was promoted to the active roster on Jan. 7, but did not appear in a game.

All of Smith’s NFL experience has come at left tackle, where the Steelers have Dan Moore and Broderick Jones working with the first two teams. The club has been one offensive linemen short of three full squads, practicing with 14 through the first two weeks of OTAs. 

Starting right tackle Chuks Okorafor, veteran backup LeRaven Clark, former Buccaneers undrafted rookie Dylan Cook and seventh-round draft pick Spencer Anderson are the team’s other four tackles, though Anderson can also play center and guard.

The Steelers have one vacant spot on their 90-man off-season roster.