Kion Smith Bio
Kion Smith is an American professional football guard who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on October 7, 1998, in Lumberton, North Carolina, Smith has built his career through perseverance following an injury-plagued high school career. After playing college football for the Fayetteville State Broncos, he entered the 2021 NFL Draft but went undrafted. Smith ultimately signed with the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Miami Dolphins, where he has developed into a rotational interior offensive lineman.
Early Life and Background
Kion Smith grew up in Lumberton, North Carolina, where he attended Lumberton High School. During his high school football career, Smith faced significant challenges, most notably missing his entire senior season due to injury. Despite this setback, his talent and potential as an offensive lineman attracted attention from college programs seeking to develop young talent at the guard position.
After high school, Smith continued his football journey at Fayetteville State University. He played for the Fayetteville State Broncos from 2016 through 2019, appearing in 20 total games throughout his collegiate career. His senior season was unexpectedly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought an abrupt end to his college football chapter and forced him to transition toward pursuing professional opportunities.
Path to the NFL
Despite the disruption to his senior season, Smith maintained his focus on reaching the professional level. His experience at Fayetteville State, where he developed as an interior offensive lineman, provided him with the foundation needed to compete at higher levels. The competition and training he received against future professional players prepared him for the challenges ahead.
Smith declared for the 2021 NFL Draft following the cancellation of his senior season. However, he went unselected during the draft process, which is a common outcome for players from smaller college programs. Rather than abandoning his professional football aspirations, Smith remained committed to proving himself through other avenues available to undrafted players seeking NFL opportunities.
Kion Smith Career
Atlanta Falcons (2021)
After going undrafted in 2021, Smith signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons on May 4, 2021. This opportunity allowed him to continue pursuing his NFL dream with an established franchise. However, his time with the Falcons was short-lived, as he was not included on the team’s final 53-man roster following training camp. The Falcons waived Smith on August 31, 2021, ending his initial stint in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins Breakthrough (2021-Present)
Following his release from the Falcons, Smith joined the Miami Dolphins practice squad on September 6, 2021. This move provided him with a fresh opportunity to prove his value within a different organization. Smith demonstrated enough promise during his time on the practice squad to earn a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on January 11, 2022, signaling the team’s interest in his long-term development.
The 2022 season saw Smith continue his progression within the Dolphins organization. He was waived during the 2022 season but quickly re-signed to the practice squad, demonstrating his value as depth along the offensive line. Smith signed another reserve/future contract with Miami on January 16, 2023, solidifying his place on the roster for the 2023 season.
Smith played in his first nine games for the Dolphins during the 2023 season, recording 70 offensive snaps. This marked his most significant regular-season contribution to that point in his career. The following year brought a major setback when Smith suffered a torn ACL during the 2024 preseason, resulting in his placement on season-ending injured reserve on August 10, 2024.
Despite the injury, Smith remained with the organization. On November 29, 2025, he was waived by the Dolphins but immediately re-signed to the practice squad. By this point, Smith had made 14 appearances including two starts at right guard for Miami. He signed another reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on January 6, 2026, continuing his connection with the team. Smith was released by the Dolphins on June 15, 2026, concluding his tenure with the organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Smith plays the guard position along the offensive line, listed at 6 feet 5 inches and 300 pounds. His size provides him with the prototypical measurements needed to excel at the interior offensive line position in the NFL. Throughout his career with the Dolphins, he has served primarily as a rotational player, contributing on special teams and providing depth at the guard position. His ability to play both guard spots has increased his value to teams seeking versatile offensive line depth.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several defining moments have shaped Smith’s professional career. His signing with the Atlanta Falcons immediately after the 2021 draft represented his first step into NFL waters. His transition to the Miami Dolphins practice squad in September 2021 marked the beginning of his most sustained professional tenure. The 2023 season provided his first meaningful regular-season contributions with nine appearances. The torn ACL in the 2024 preseason represented a significant obstacle, while his 14 appearances including two starts demonstrated his resilience in returning to the field.
Kion Smith Career Wins
Smith has built a solid foundation for his NFL career through consistent availability and steady improvement during his time with the Miami Dolphins. His ability to earn a roster spot following multiple practice squad stints reflects his determination and adaptability within a competitive league.
NFL Career Highlights
Throughout his NFL career spanning the 2021 through 2026 seasons, Smith appeared in 23 career games with two starts, both coming at right guard during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins. His 14 appearances with Miami marked the most productive stretch of his professional career. The 70 offensive snaps he recorded during the 2023 season represented his highest single-season contribution prior to his injury in the 2024 preseason.
Career Statistics
Smith’s professional football career has been characterized by steady progression and resilience through adversity. His journey from undrafted free agent to regular season contributor demonstrates the perseverance required to establish oneself in the NFL.
| Team | Games Played | Games Started | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 14 | 2 | Guard |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 0 | Guard |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a pivotal year in Smith’s professional career. After spending significant time on the practice squad and recovering from his ACL injury, Smith saw increased opportunities with the Miami Dolphins. His 14 appearances during the season marked a substantial increase from his previous contributions, and his two starts at right guard provided him with valuable experience in a starting role.
The mid-season roster move on November 29, 2025, when the Dolphins waived and re-signed Smith to the practice squad, reflected the team’s ongoing evaluation of their offensive line depth. Despite this uncertainty, Smith continued to work toward earning a more permanent role within the organization. His consistency and ability to step in when called upon demonstrated the reliability that coaches seek in backup offensive linemen.
Looking ahead, Smith’s trajectory suggests he will continue pursuing opportunities in professional football. His experience with the Dolphins, combined with his position versatility along the interior offensive line, provides him with a foundation for continued participation in the NFL. The 2026 season and beyond will determine whether Smith can secure a more permanent roster spot and potentially take on expanded responsibilities within an offense.