Braden Smith Bio
Braden Smith is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 25, 1996, in Olathe, Kansas, he played college football for the Auburn Tigers before entering the professional ranks. Smith was selected by the Colts in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft and has been a fixture on the Indianapolis offensive line.
Known for his size and physicality, Braden Smith has earned recognition for his play, including a selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018. His combination of college accolades and professional consistency has made him one of the steady performers along the Colts’ front five.
Early Life and Background
Braden Smith grew up in Olathe, Kansas, where he developed an early interest in football. He attended Olathe South High School and played as a two-way lineman on the varsity team. During his senior season, he was credited with 82 pancake blocks on offense and 59 tackles on defense, numbers that reflected both his finishing strength in the run game and his willingness to compete on the other side of the ball.
Coming out of high school, Braden Smith was regarded as a four-star recruit by ESPN and was ranked as the No. 9 offensive guard prospect in the class of 2014. He drew scholarship offers from several major programs, including Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Notre Dame. On May 27, 2014, he announced his decision to commit to Auburn University, setting the stage for a successful college career in the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Braden Smith’s path to the NFL began with his recruitment to Auburn, where he joined a program with a strong tradition of producing offensive linemen. His high school production and athletic profile made him an immediate contributor in college, and he quickly transitioned from a developmental prospect into a reliable starter along the Tigers’ offensive front.
The early steps in his progression were marked by steady improvement each season at Auburn. By his sophomore year, Braden Smith was already earning conference recognition, and his continued growth through his junior and senior seasons positioned him as one of the top offensive line prospects heading into the 2018 NFL draft. His combination of technique, strength, and durability made him an attractive target for teams seeking immediate help at the tackle position.
Braden Smith Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Braden Smith was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. He joined a Colts team in need of offensive line reinforcement and quickly showed signs of being a long-term building block. By Week 5 of his rookie season, he had earned the starting right tackle job, and he went on to start the final 12 games of the year along with both playoff contests. His strong debut campaign was capped by a selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In the seasons that followed, Braden Smith remained a mainstay on the Indianapolis offensive line. During the 2020 season, he was briefly placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 25, 2020, and was activated on December 30. Through his first three professional seasons, he continued to demonstrate the consistency and physicality that had defined his play at Auburn, helping solidify the right side of the Colts’ offensive front.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Braden Smith’s arrival in Indianapolis marked a turning point for both player and team. After a steady rookie year, he became a full-time starter and a foundational piece of the Colts’ offensive line. His ability to handle both pass protection and run blocking duties earned him praise from coaches and teammates, and he quickly became a player the Colts counted on in critical situations.
A major moment in Braden Smith’s professional career came on July 28, 2021, when he signed a four-year, $72.4 million contract extension with the Colts. The deal reflected his value to the franchise and locked him in as a long-term answer at offensive tackle. Since then, he has continued to log starts and provide stability along the line, anchoring the right side through various offensive schemes and quarterback changes.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2021–Present)
Following his contract extension, Braden Smith entered a new phase of his career as a centerpiece of the Indianapolis offensive line. He has continued to start regularly, bringing veteran presence and reliable play to a unit tasked with protecting the Colts’ quarterbacks and opening running lanes. His tenure has spanned coaching changes and roster turnover, yet he has remained a constant along the front.
Braden Smith started all 13 of his appearances for Indianapolis during the 2025 season. On December 13, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve due to a concussion and neck injury suffered in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the setback, his body of work through the season reinforced his reputation as a dependable, every-down tackle.
Driving Style and Strengths
Braden Smith’s game is built on physicality, balance, and finishing power at the point of attack. His background as a high school two-way lineman translates into a competitive edge in the trenches, where he looks to overwhelm defenders in the run game while holding his ground in pass protection. His consistency and durability have allowed him to develop strong on-field chemistry with his linemates and coaching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments in Braden Smith’s career are his PFWA All-Rookie Team selection in 2018, his four-year, $72.4 million contract extension in 2021, and his continued streak of starts for the Colts. In 2024, Smith was diagnosed with a type of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) called religious scrupulosity, an experience that caused him to miss the final five games of that season and nearly led him to retirement before he sought treatment and reported improvement.
Braden Smith Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Braden Smith’s professional resume is measured less in traditional win totals and more in consistent starting contributions and individual recognition. Across his time with the Indianapolis Colts, he has been a steady presence on the offensive line, earning honors such as the PFWA All-Rookie Team and a major contract extension that reflected his value to the franchise.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Braden Smith’s highlights with the Indianapolis Colts include his Week 5 promotion to starting right tackle in his rookie season, his PFWA All-Rookie Team selection that same year, and his four-year, $72.4 million contract extension signed in July 2021. He has continued to log regular-season starts in the seasons that followed, anchoring the right side of the offensive line through both routine games and postseason appearances.
Other Wins and Performances
Before his professional career, Braden Smith collected significant accolades at Auburn, including First-team All-American honors, the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best blocker in the SEC in 2017, two First-team All-SEC selections in 2016 and 2017, and a Second-team All-SEC nod in 2015. He finished his collegiate career with 41 starts in four seasons, a mark of consistency that helped pave the way for his second-round selection in the 2018 NFL draft.
Braden Smith Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Braden Smith was raised in Olathe, Kansas, where he attended Olathe South High School and developed into a highly recruited football prospect. His upbringing in the Kansas City area helped shape his blue-collar approach to the game, and the support he received from his family played a role in his development as both a player and a person.
Personal Life
Braden Smith is married, and he and his wife have a son. He is a Christian, and faith has been an important part of his personal life. In 2024, he was diagnosed with a type of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) called religious scrupulosity, an experience that caused him to miss the final five games of the 2024 NFL season and nearly led him to retirement. After seeking treatment and therapy, he reported improvement in his condition and returned to the field.
2025 Season Performance
Braden Smith opened the 2025 season as the starting right tackle for the Indianapolis Colts and continued his role as a reliable presence along the offensive line. Through the first portion of the year, he provided stability in both pass protection and the running game, helping the Colts maintain a consistent offensive identity regardless of personnel changes around him.
Smith started all 13 of his appearances during the 2025 season and remained a key contributor before a Week 14 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. During that game, he suffered a concussion and neck injury that forced him out of action. On December 13, 2025, the Colts placed him on injured reserve, ending his regular-season playing time for the year but reinforcing his value as a veteran leader on the roster.