Lee Smith

BIOGRAPHY

Lee Smith was born November 21, 1987, in Powell, Tennessee. He is a tight end for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. Smith originally committed and enrolled at the University of Tennessee, where his father Daryle played. However, after being charged with DUI on campus, he was immediately dismissed by head coach Phillip Fulmer. Smith would then enroll at Marshall University. Smith shared playing time with tight end, Cody Slate, throughout most of his first three seasons at Marshall. As a full-time starter in 2010, Smith finished the year with career highs in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns. He also was named to the Conference USA All-Academic team and invited to the Senior Bowl.

The New England Patriots selected Smith in the fifth round (159th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was the eighth tight end selected in 2011. Smith entered his first training camp facing stiff competition for a roster spot. He competed with Alge Crumpler, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Carson Butler. On September 3, 2011, the Patriots released Smith as a part of their final roster cuts.


On September 4, 2011, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills to provide depth at their thin tight end position. Upon arriving, he was the Bills' third tight end on their depth chart behind Scott Chandler and Mike Caussin. On October 2, 2011, Smith made his professional regular-season debut in the Bills' 23–20 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. He became the backup tight end after Mike Caussin suffered a knee injury and was placed on injured/reserve on November 7, 2011. During a Week 12 matchup at the New York Jets, Smith made his first career start as the Bills lost 28–24. On December 4, 2011, he caught a season-high three passes for 11-yards during a 23–17 loss to the Tennessee Titans. He entered the game after Scott Chandler injured his ankle and was unable to return. He finished his rookie season with four receptions for 11-yards in three starts and ten games. He competed with Scott Chandler, Mike Caussin, Kevin Brock, and Fendi Onobun. On March 10, 2015, Smith signed a three-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. He was placed on injured reserve on October 5, 2016. On March 14, 2018, Smith re-signed with the Raiders. On May 2, 2019, Smith was released by the Raiders. On May 13, 2019, Smith signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. Smith was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Bills on October 24, 2020, and activated on October 30. In Week 16 of the 2020 season, Smith caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen