| James Smith-Williams | |
| Current Team: | Atlanta Falcons |
| Number: | 50 |
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Birth Date: | 30 July 1997 |
| Birth Place: | Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 4 |
| Weight Lb: | 265 |
| High School: | Millbrook (Raleigh) |
| College: | NC State (2015–2019) |
| Draftyear: | 2020 |
| Draftround: | 7 |
| Draftpick: | 229 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Status: | Active |
| Statseason: | 2023 |
| Statlabel1: | Tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 85 |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statvalue2: | 7 |
| Statlabel3: | Pass deflections |
| Statvalue3: | 2 |
| Pfr: | SmitJa08 |
James Smith-Williams (born July 30, 1997) is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State and was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft.
A 3-star recruit, Smith-Williams committed to NC State over offers from Appalachian State, Boston College, and James Madison, among others.[1] Smith-Williams posted 36 tackles, nine of which were for a loss, and six sacks in 2018.[2] He was limited to seven games in 2019 and had 20 tackles and a sack.[3] In his career, he played in 29 games and had 82 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three pass deflections. He graduated with a degree in business supply chain management.[4]
Smith-Williams was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round (229th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 22, 2020.[5]
In the Week 10 of the 2021 season, Smith-Williams had his first career start in place of an injured Montez Sweat. The following week, he and defensive tackle Daron Payne sealed the win over the Carolina Panthers after they sacked quarterback Cam Newton on fourth down with less than a minute and a half left in the game.[6] On December 11, 2021, he was placed on COVID-19 reserve list and was forced to sit out the Week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys, but reactivated a week later.[7] [8]
With defensive end Chase Young missing the majority of the 2022 season while he recovered from his ACL tear, Smith-Williams started 14 games in his place and finished with 23 total tackles, one pass defection, and three sacks.[9]
Smith-Williams was elevated to the starting line up before Week 9 of the 2023 season following the Commanders trading both their original starting defensive ends, Young and Sweat.[10]
On April 10, 2024, Smith-Williams signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[11]
He served as an intern for IBM during college, specializing in robotic animation, and has a job offer with them following his football career.