Keith Smith

Las Vegas Raiders
Running Back #41
Las Vegas Raiders
Running Back #41

Keith Smith News

Serves as blocker in '22

Smith finished the regular season with two yards on one carry and an eight-yard reception on two targets while playing in all 17 of the Falcons' games during the 2022 season.

Analysis: In his fourth season with Atlanta, Smith once again saw a near-even split between offense and special-teams work. The fullback played 246 offensive snaps on the campaign, compared to 261 on special teams, where he served as a key member of Atlanta's coverage and return units. Smith is headed for unrestricted free agency this offseason, but the Falcons will presumably be interested in retaining him if head coach Arthur Smith continues to include a fullback as part of his offensive scheme in 2023.

Jan 12, 2023 9:40 AM EST


Filling blocking role

Smith went without a carry or target while playing nine of the Falcons' 57 snaps on offense in Sunday's 19-13 loss to the Commanders.

Analysis: The fullback has appeared in all 12 of the Falcons' games this season, but he continues to be utilized almost exclusively as a blocker on the limited occasions he takes the field with the offense. Both of his touches for the season -- a two-yard carry and an eight-yard reception -- came in a Week 6 win over the 49ers.

Nov 30, 2022 11:46 AM EST



Totals 10 yards in win

Smith tallied one carry for two yards and reeled in his only target for eight yards during Sunday's 28-14 victory versus the 49ers.

Analysis: Smith played 28 offensive snaps and garnered his first two touches of the campaign. The fullback remains irrelevant in standard fantasy leagues, but he is likely to see periodic touches in Arthur Smith's downhill running scheme.

Oct 17, 2022 7:53 AM EST


Plays 24 offensive snaps in opener

Smith didn't record any counting stats during Sunday's 27-26 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Smith played 24 offensive snaps but failed to make his mark on the box score. Over the last three seasons in Atlanta, the veteran fullback has totaled 18 rushes for 46 yards while catching 21 passes for 128 yards. He figures to garner a similar workload in 2022.

Sep 12, 2022 8:39 AM EST


Returns to practice

Smith (knee) practiced with the team Tuesday, Matt Urben of Falcons Wire reports.

Analysis: Smith underwent knee surgery this offseason, then missed part of camp due to the birth of his son. The 30-year-old veteran is headed into his fourth season with the Falcons, and has no real competition at fullback on the current roster.

Aug 2, 2022 4:05 PM EST



Rehabbing from offseason surgery

Smith underwent offseason knee surgery, but he's expected to be ready for training camp, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: Smith appeared in all 17 games for the Falcons last year and finished with career highs in rushing attempts (nine) and rushing yards (31), while adding nine receptions for 56 yards. The veteran fullback hasn't missed a game since 2015 and has garnered a consistent role for Atlanta over the past three seasons.

May 26, 2022 10:39 AM EST


Hauls in only target Sunday

Smith caught his only target for three yards during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Smith finished his third season in Atlanta with nine rushing attempts for 31 yards and nine receptions for 56 yards. The veteran fullback is under contract for one more season, so he's expected to return with a similar role during the 2022 season.

Jan 10, 2022 11:46 AM EST


Two catches in win

Smith caught both of his targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 21-14 win over the Jaguars.

Analysis: Smith continues to have a marginal role in Atlanta's offense, totaling seven touches for 40 yards over his last three games. However, barring a touchdown, Smith will likely remain unplayable in standard formats.

Nov 29, 2021 12:20 PM EST


Four touches in Week 11

Smith ran three times for eight yards and caught his only target for 11 yards during Thursday's 25-0 loss to the Patriots.

Analysis: With Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) out, Smith saw multiple rushing attempts for the first time since Week 2. On the season, the fullback has appeared in every game, totaling nine carries for 31 yards (career-high) and five receptions for 35 yards. Barring a touchdown, Smith will likely remain unplayable in standard formats.

Nov 21, 2021 7:49 AM EST


Records five touches Week 1

Smith ran two times for 13 yards and caught all three of his targets for 18 yards during Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: During Smith's seven years in the league he amassed 20 total rushing yards, but he started out his eighth season with a career-high 13 rushing yards in Week 1. He also finished fifth on the team in receiving. While Smith's career-high performance was exciting, his fantasy value is certainly limited and will be a touchdown-dependent streaming option moving forward.

Sep 14, 2021 1:54 PM EST


Logs 15 touches in 2020

Smith, who went without a rush attempt or a target during Sunday's 44-27 loss to the Buccaneers, concluded the 2020 season with 11 receptions (on 15 targets) for 59 yards and four carries for seven yards.

Analysis: The 28-year-old ranked fifth in the NFL in total snaps among fullbacks, setting a career high with his 15 offensive touches during the 2020 campaign. Smith has been one of the more heavily utilized players at the position during his time with Atlanta over the past two seasons, but it remains to be seen what his role will be playing for a new head coach next season. He's under contract with the Falcons for two more seasons at an average cap hit of $1.5 million per year. However, Atlanta has the option to part ways with the fullback this offseason if willing to absorb a $733,000 dead cap hit.

Jan 6, 2021 3:41 PM EST


Enjoys career receiving day

Smith reeled in all three of his targets for 32 yards during Sunday's 31-27 loss to Tampa Bay.

Analysis: Smith more than doubled his previous single-game career high in receiving (14), as he got his afternoon started with two catches in a three-play sequence during a Falcons touchdown drive in the second quarter. The San Jose State product has garnered five targets over the past two weeks after attracting a total of five in eight appearances between Weeks 4 and 13.

Dec 21, 2020 7:41 AM EST


Not restricted by knee issue

Smith (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: The 28-year-old has thus far been able to avoid injury this season, suiting up for all 11 of the Falcons' games while accumulating 19 scrimmage yards on eight touches. Given that Smith plays fullback, his offensive workload of 13.8 snaps per game is considerable, but he makes most of his hay on special teams. He's garnered more than half of the snaps in that department in every game but one this season, collecting a total of six tackles.

Dec 2, 2020 9:20 PM EST


Makes fifth reception of 2020

Smith caught his lone target for a four-yard gain in Sunday's 24-9 loss to the Saints.

Analysis: Smith has now caught five of six targets this year, none of which went for more than four yards. The 28-year-old fullback's main contributions are on special teams, where he is tied for third on the team with five tackles.

Nov 24, 2020 3:55 PM EST


Set to come off COVID-19 list

Smith announced that he has been cleared to enter team facilities after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list July 29, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: The veteran fullback is one of seven Falcons to have so far landed on the NFL's reserve/COVID-19 list, but now he rejoins the Falcons' backfield in Flowery Branch as the team sits one month out from kicking off against Seattle. Smith certainly wasn't a down-in, down-out kind of player during his debut campaign in Atlanta last year, but he was more heavily utilized than the vast majority of modern fullbacks. He ranked sixth in the NFL in offensive snap percentage among fullbacks during 2019 (16.6 percent), and Smith enters 2020 as a key fixture towards Atlanta's directive of improving the ground attack.

Aug 13, 2020 4:24 PM EST


Tests positive for COVID-19

Smith was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Atlanta will be without the services of its top fullback for the early stages of the abbreviated offseason program, after Smith joined teammates Jamal Carter and Jaylinn Hawkins on the inactive/COVID list. Smith was reportedly asymptomatic, emphasizing the importance of the league's mandated "two negative test" policy, which ensures that players show to be clear of COVID-19 on two separate occasions before being allowed into team facilities. The 28-year-old fullback will be delayed in acclimating to in-person activities this summer, but Atlanta averts potential disaster by catching the issue up front and preventing spread to the locker room.

Jul 29, 2020 3:34 PM EST


Agrees to three-year extension

Smith and the Falcons agreed to terms on a three-year extension Saturday.

Analysis: Smith is one of the few fullbacks remaining in the NFL, but he doesn't have to worry about finding a home through the 2022 campaign. The veteran doesn't contribute much in the box score, but he will pave the way for Devonta Freeman and the rest of Atlanta's backs.

Mar 14, 2020 1:37 PM EST


Six touches for Falcons in 2019

Smith ran for eight yards on five carries and registered a 13-yard reception during his debut season with Atlanta.

Analysis: The former Cowboy and Raider was not granted a single goal-line carry during 2019, but he did account for five yards on his two red-zone rush attempts. Smith was one of the more highly utilized full backs in the NFL this season, ranking sixth at the position with 198 offensive snaps. Among qualified players Smith also placed as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best run-blocking FB, a surprisingly high mark given that Atlanta finished 30th in rush offense as a team. His one-year contract expires at the end of the league year, leaving the Falcons with a decision to make on the 27-year-old Smith.

Jan 5, 2020 1:29 PM EST


Lands in Atlanta

Smith signed a one-year deal with the Falcons on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Smith was surprisingly let go by the Raiders over the weekend but didn't take long to find a new team. The 27-year-old had only one carry and five receptions in 16 games last season serving as a blocking fullback.

Sep 2, 2019 12:06 PM EST


Resumes practicing

Smith (knee) practiced Tuesday and was removed from the Raiders' non-football injury list, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: Smith is coming off a torn meniscus, and appears to be nearing a return to full health. The veteran fullback projects to play a key blocking role in Oakland's offense and contribute on special teams.

Aug 13, 2019 10:17 AM EST


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