Los Angeles Chargers sign CB Avery Smith

Avery Smith's three-year, $3.1M deal with the Los Angeles Chargers earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI) — a fair deal at the margins, though not a signing that moves the needle in either direction. At roughly $1M AAV, this is a minimum-range contract for a cornerback, which tells you everything about where Smith sits on the production tier spectrum: he's a depth piece, likely competing for a roster spot rather than a starting job. The CVI here reflects a match between salary floor and player ceiling — the Chargers aren't overpaying, but they're also not acquiring a difference-maker at one of football's most premium defensive positions. Without guaranteed money disclosed, the contract carries essentially no structural risk for the organization, making it easy to move on from if Smith doesn't carve out a defined role. For a Chargers team sitting at 11-6 and holding a #7 seed in the AFC, adding cheap secondary depth in the offseason is roster-maintenance work rather than a competitive upgrade. The deal makes sense as a low-cost flier, but the C+ CVI signals this is a player the organization hopes surprises rather than one they're counting on.