clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cleveland Browns ERFA Review: CB C.J. Smith

Our final free agent preview looks at a defensive back who spent most of 2017 with the Browns as a reserve.

By Chris Pokorny
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles-Minicamp Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Our preview on the Browns’ exclusive rights free agents continues with our final player to preview, CB C.J. Smith.

What Are Exclusive Rights Free Agents?

Players with two or fewer accrued seasons are ERFAs. An accrued season is defined as the following in the NFL CBA:

A player shall receive one Accrued Season for each season during which he was on, or should have been on, full pay status for a total of six or more regular season games, but which, irrespective of the player’s pay status, shall not include games for which the player was on: (i) the Exempt Commissioner Permission List, (ii) the Reserve PUP List as a result of a nonfootball injury, or (iii) a Club’s Practice Squad.

By rule, ERFAs earn the minimum salary of the number of credited seasons they have under their belt. A credited season is defined as the following in the NFL CBA:

A player shall earn one Credited Season for each season during which he was on, or should have been on, full pay status for a total of three or more regular season games, but which, irrespective of the player’s pay status, shall not include games for which this player was on: (i) the Exempt Commissioner Permission List; (ii) the Reserve PUP List as a result of a nonfootball injury; (iii) a Club’s Practice or Developmental Squad; or (iv) a Club’s Injured Reserve List.

A player with one credited season would be tendered for a 1-year deal worth $555,000. It goes up to $630,000 for those with two credited seasons. The rare player without a credited season would be at $480,000.

How and When He Joined the Browns: In mid-September of 2017, the Browns signed Smith to their practice squad. He was originally an undrafted free agent who played special teams for the Eagles in 2016.

Productivity Level Last Season: Cleveland called Smith up to the 53-man roster in mid-December for the final 3 games of the regular season. He played 9 defensive snaps and saw 24 snaps on special teams, finishing with 1 tackle.

Why Keeping Him Could Make Sense: He spent most of the season with Cleveland last year between the practice squad and active roster, even though there wasn’t a lot of playing time there. He also played 10 games in 2016 with the Eagles, mostly contributing on special teams. He could compete for one of those special teams roles this offseason.

What the Browns Should Do: It’s a toss-up. If the Browns decide to tender Smith, it would be $630,000, as he had two credited seasons under his belt. I’m ready for Cleveland to overhaul a fair amount of their defensive backs, so I’m fine if they just let Smith become a free agent.

Let us know below whether or not the team should try to tender or re-sign C.J. Smith!

Poll

Should the Browns tender CB C.J. Smith?

This poll is closed

  • 28%
    Yes
    (86 votes)
  • 71%
    No
    (221 votes)
307 votes total Vote Now

More From Dawgs By Nature