NFC Championship Game: Los Angeles Rams v Seattle Seahawks
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The Seattle Seahawks are acquiring rookie cornerback Avery Smith from the Los Angeles Chargers, giving up a future draft pick to add another young option to an increasingly crowded secondary.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on August 30 that Los Angeles is sending Smith to Seattle in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. Pelissero noted that the former Toledo standout can play nickel and will now get an opportunity with the Seahawks.
Neither team had announced the trade as official at the time of publication.
For Seattle, the interesting part isn’t simply that another cornerback is coming aboard. The Seahawks have spent much of August adding competition at the position, and surrendering a draft choice for an undrafted rookie suggests Smith showed enough this summer for Seattle to decide it didn’t want to risk waiting for him to become available another way.
Avery Smith Turned Heads During Chargers Training Camp
Smith, 22, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent after playing at Toledo. The Chargers listed him at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds.
He quickly generated some attention in Los Angeles.
During an August 1 practice, Smith broke up two passes, including one while working against the Chargers’ first-team offense. Chargers.com noted that Smith had led Toledo in passes defended in each of his final two college seasons, recording 14 in 2024 and 12 in 2025.
The production continued as camp progressed. Smith later recorded an interception, and Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh singled out Smith and fellow undrafted corner Rodney Shelley while discussing the young defensive backs.