The Broncos agreed to terms on a four-year contract Sunday with second-round draft pick Alphonso Smith, a cornerback from Wake Forest.
Smith was the No. 37 overall selection in the 2009 draft, a pick the Broncos obtained from Seattle by dealing away one of their first-round picks in 2010. He was to formally sign Sunday evening a contract that guaranteed roughly $2.85 million.
Smith is expected to eventually contribute as a nickelback behind starting corners Champ Bailey and Andre’ Goodman. Smith is also considered an exceptional punt returner, a position currently held by Eddie Royal.
Smith said he will begin camp conceding nothing, but accepting whatever role he receives.
“I have a lot of respect for Andre’. He had one of his best years last year,” Smith said. “And I have a lot of respect for Champ of course. We’re all going into camp competing. As a competitor, you would love to play. You would love to start. But if it’s not part of the recipe to become a winning team, you have to set that aside.”
With rookies expected to open training camp Monday at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters, the Broncos still have five unsigned draft picks — first-round selections Knowshon Moreno and Robert Ayers, second-round pick Darcel McBath, fourth rounder David Burton and sixth-rounder Tom Brandstater.
The Broncos don’t officially start their full-squad, two-a-day training camp until Friday.
