Smith joins Minnesota after beginning the year with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football league. Originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round (197thoverall) of the 2015 NFL Draft, Smith played with the Bengals for two full seasons. Smith was waived by Cincinnati after playing in three regular season games during the 2017 season and signed with the Cleveland Browns, where he saw action in seven contests. The Banning, California, native made 38 total game appearances and recorded 10 total tackles (six solo) and one pass defensed in his NFL career. Before the league was suspended, the Fresno State grad grabbed 21 total tackles in eight games.
Thomas joins Minnesota after beginning the year with the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF. The Killeen, Texas, native originally signed with the Houston Texans in 2016 as an undrafted free agent, and has also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. While in the AAF Thomas led the Commanders with 22 total tackles in eight games, while also recording one interception and one fumble recovery. Thomas played collegiately at Texas, where he totaled 173 tackles, 27 pass breakups, and seven interceptions in 51 total games.
Teammates during their AAF stint with San Antonio, Thomas and Smith led the Commanders in total tackles, grabbing 22 and 21 tackles, respectively.