Chris Smith (defensive end)

Chris Smith (born February 11, 1992) is an American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Smith has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football at Arkansas.

Early years
Smith attended West Rowan High School in Mount Ulla, North Carolina. As a senior, he had 98 tackles and 16.5 sacks.

College career
As a true freshman in 2010, Smith played in six games, recording three tackles. As a sophomore in 2011, he played in 13 games with three starts. He had 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks. As a junior in 2012, he started all 12 games, recording 52 tackles and 9.5 sacks. As a senior in 2013, he had 37 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 12 games.

As a senior in 2013, Smith was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Smith was selected 159th overall in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The pick that was used to select Smith was acquired in a trade that sent Eugene Monroe to the Baltimore Ravens.

He was released by the Jaguars on September 13, 2014. Two days later, he was then signed to their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 20.

Cincinnati Bengals
On April 11, 2017, the Jaguars traded Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2018 conditional draft pick. Smith was brought in to help a Bengals defense that finished 19th in the league in sacks the previous season. He played in all 16 games, recording a career-high 26 tackles and three sacks.

Cleveland Browns
On March 14, 2018, Smith signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 16 games with two starts, recording 21 combined tackles, one sack, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble.