Redskins promote Kyle Smith to VP role in front office

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By 106.7 The Fan

The Redskins announced the promotion of Kyle Smith to Vice President of Player Personnel on Monday, another key change to the front office.

Smith will now oversee both the college and pro personnel aspects of the Redskins front office. He previously served as Director of College Personnel for three seasons, a promotion he received in June 2017, where he oversaw evaluation of collegiate talent, managing scouting efforts at both the local and national levels.

This is the latest in a string of moves as the Redskins continue to restructure their front office under the supervision of new head coach Ron Rivera. Last week the organization announced it was mutually parting ways with longtime front office executive Eric Schaffer, who had been with the Redskins for 17 years. 
They later announced that Rob Rogers would be joining the front office as Senior Vice President of Football Administration after 25 seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Doug Williams has also been moved out of the player personnel department into a role in player development, where he'll work alongside Senior Director of Player Development Malcolm Blacken, reporting directly to Rivera.
The biggest change by far came one day after the season, when Redskins owner Dan Snyder fired longtime team president Bruce Allen after 10 years, a move long anticipated by Redskins fans. Front office power that previously belonged to Allen now appears to be going to Rivera, who has assembled members of both his previous coaching staff and front office in Carolina.

Smith first joined the organization as an intern in 2010 and later joined on a full-time basis as an area scout during the 2011 offseason, afterwards spending six seasons in that role. Prior to his 2017 promotion, Smith oversaw scouting efforts for the Redskins in the Southeast region, which produced the team's first- and second-round picks in the 2017 and 2018 NFL Drafts (Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson, Daron Payne, Derrius Guice).

"Kyle Smith has put in the work over the last 10 seasons and has proven to be a skilled talent evaluator," said Snyder in a team-issued press release announce the move.

"I have been impressed with Kyle's track record and player evaluation process, and I'm confident in the vision we share for the future of the Washington Redskins," said head coach Ron Rivera. 

Smith initially joined the organization on a full-time basis as an area scout during the 2011 offseason. After being promoted to director of college personnel in June 2017, Smith oversaw the organization's evaluation of collegiate talent, managing scouting efforts at both the area and national levels. 

"I am excited for the opportunity to oversee both the college and professional sides of the scouting department," Smith said. "Our staff is looking forward to working together with Coach Rivera to build the best team possible."