Falcons fullback Keith Smith arrested on Wednesday
Atlanta police arrested Atlanta Falcons running back Keith Smith on traffic charges Wednesday.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, authorities pulled Smith over for an expired registration. Police then arrested him for driving with a suspended license. Rapoport added that Smith got a speeding ticket in Atlanta earlier this year, informed the team and paid the fine. Smith’s agent, AJ Vaynerchuk, told Rapoport that a miscommunication occurred, leading to his license being unknowingly suspended.
The Falcons issued a statement on the matter.
“We are aware of a legal matter involving Keith Smith this afternoon and have been informed of its details,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
Smith, 31, has spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys (2014-17), Las Vegas Raiders (2018) and Falcons (2019-present). He began his career as a linebacker in Dallas before transitioning to the fullback position. He has rushed for 53 yards on 22 carries and hauled in 35 receptions for 205 yards in 129 games.
Will Falcons finish atop NFC South in 2023?
Will Brinson of CBS Sports recently took a stab at predicting the final standings for each NFL division in 2023, including the wide open NFC South.
The division, comprised of the two-time reigning champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Falcons, is arguably the toughest division to forecast given what occurred in 2022. None of the aforementioned teams finished above .500, leading to the 8-9 Buccaneers claiming the top spot and earning a playoff spot. While it would surprise nobody if an identical outcome occurred this season, Brinson has one team standing out above the rest.
The Falcons, who last won the NFC South in 2016, are Brinson’s pick to stand atop the division in 2023 with a 10-7 record.
“Another division that’s just wide open,” Brinson wrote. “The Falcons are MY TEAM this year, for better or for worse it seems. I love what they did this offseason, turning a very questionable roster into a Titans-lite type of team that can be physical in the run game and efficient from a passing standpoint.”
Falcons make multiple additions to offense, defense for 2023
Atlanta, which last finished with double-digit victories in 2017, added some notable names to both its offense and defense this offseason, looking to improve upon its 7-10 mark this past season.
The Falcons immediately got to work with improving their 27th ranked defense, signing prized safety Jessie Bates III to a four-year deal in March. Atlanta followed up the signing of Bates with the acquisitions of veteran defensive linemen David Onyemata and Calais Campbell. The following month, the Falcons acquired 2020 third overall pick Jeff Okudah from the Detroit Lions and signed former Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher Bud Dupree to a one-year deal.
During the 2023 NFL Draft, Atlanta spent its eighth overall selection on the best offensive skill position player in running back Bijan Robinson out of Texas.