The Philadelphia Eagles former parted ways with former first-round pick Marcus Smith on Wednesday afternoon, according to Howard Eskin. Smith was drafted 26th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly.
Sources tell me #eagles have released former no. 1 pick Marcus Smith. @SportsRadioWIP
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) July 26, 2017
Philadelphia Eagles Release Marcus Smith
The move is not shocking as Smith was been a huge bust in Philly since he was drafted. He appeared in only 37 games, recording 12 tackles, four sacks and zero starts. The decision to move on from Smith will save the Eagles $1.5 million in cap room.
Smith doomed his fate more when he skipped voluntary spring practices this offseason while fighting for a roster spot. The absence dropped him further down the depth chart.
The 6’3″, 251-pound lineman was a surprise first round pick by the Eagles and Kelly in 2014 out of Louisville. In his last season in college, Smith racked up 32 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.
With training camp around the corner, the Eagles made some additional roster moves Wednesday as players starting arriving. On top of Smith, guard Allen Barbre was released the day veterans reported to camp. His release saves the club $2.1 million in cap space.
Smith becomes another example of a disappointing draft pick from Chip Kelly. He joins Josh Huff, Bennie Logan and Eric Rowe as top players from Kelly drafts who are no longer with the Eagles. 2015 top pick Nelson Agholor is another big Kelly name who could see his name wiped off the Eagles roster soon, potentially as early as the end of training camp.
Smith joins a growing crowd of failed busts from the 2014 first round. Browns first round pick Justin Gilbert is no longer with Cleveland, Rams first rounder Greg Robinson has been released from Los Angeles and it’s anybody’s guess what will happen to Johnny Manziel who is already out of the league.
