Meet the Newest Patriots: Lecitus Smith and Miles Battles

The New England Patriots released offensive lineman Nick Leverett on Monday. The move came just eight days after Leverett started at center for the Patriots against the Miami Dolphins in Week 6. It also opened up a spot on the 53-man roster. New England filled that spot on Tuesday by signing offensive lineman Lecitus Smith.

The Patriots made a pair of practice squad moves on Tuesday as well. They released center Sincere Haynesworth and added cornerback Miles Battle.

Get to know the newest members of the New England Patriots.

Also Read – PFF’s Best and Worst Patriots Grades of Week 6

Lecitus Smith

Smith was a three-star recruit from Fitzgerald High School in Fitzgerald, Ga. He was a member of the high school class of 2017. Smith played tight end in high school, listed at 6-foot-4 and weighing 255 pounds. He committed to Virginia Tech. Smith’s other offers included Arkansas, NC State, and Oklahoma State.

Lecitus Smith redshirted his freshman season with the Hokies. He bulked up and transitioned to the offensive line. Smith appeared in 11 games during the 2018 season, starting four. He played left guard exclusively, where he would take over as the full-time starter in 2019. Over the next three seasons, Smith started all 34 games he played for Virginia Tech. All his starts game at left guard, with one emergency start at left tackle his senior season.

Smith chose to turn pro instead of returning to college for a fifth season. He participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.

NFL Career

The Arizona Cardinals selected Lecitus Smith in the sixth round (No. 215 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Cardinals used Smith as a center during the preseason, and he made the 53-man roster. His only playing time as a rookie came as a guard. He appeared in ten games, starting two. Smith allowed 12 pressures, including two sacks, and was called for two penalties.

With the 215th pick in the 2022 Draft, the Cardinals select OL Lecitus Smith. pic.twitter.com/0qvCX95LvM

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 30, 2022

In the 2023 preseason, Arizona played Smith at right guard for the first two games. He played center for the preseason finale. The Cardinals released him during their final roster cuts. Smith spent the 2023 season on the practice squads of the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in no regular season games, and the Eagles released him following the 2024 NFL Draft.

Lecitus Smith signed with the Green Bay Packers following his release. He spent training camp this season with the Packers, playing in all three preseason games. Green Bay split his reps between center and guard. The Packers released Smith during final cuts but brought him back to their practice squad the next day. He remained there until being signed to the New England Patriots 53-man roster on Tuesday.

Miles Battle

Battle ranked as a four-star prospect from Cypress Creek High School in Harris County, Texas. Miles Battle was a 6-too-4, 188-pound wide receiver. He committed to Ole Miss over offers from Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, UCLA, and many others. Battled played wide receiver for his first two seasons with the Rebels, appearing in 14 games. He caught four passes for 38 yards. Following his redshirt freshman year in 2019, Battle transitioned to defense.

Over the next three seasons in Mississippi, Battle played in 32 games, starting four times at cornerback. He recorded 65 tackles, 16 passes defended, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

Miles Battle opted to play a sixth season of college football and transferred to Utah for his final year. He played in 13 games, recording 32 tackles and an interception. He had zero missed tackles.

Battle is dialed in 🎯 pic.twitter.com/xwRGuitKIy

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 4, 2023

Despite good measurables, Battle went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in two preseason games with the team. Kansas City cut him at the end of training camp. Battle joins DJ James as cornerbacks on the New England Patriots practice squad. He will have a familiar face in the Patriots locker room, as he was a Mississippi teammate with center Ben Brown.

Sincere Haynesworth

Departing New England is Sincere Haynesworth. The former Tulsa center signed with the Patriots practice squad one week before his release. After the team released Nick Leverett yesterday, it appeared Haynesworth would have an opportunity to stick around for a while. The New England Patriots have Ben Brown and Lecitus Smith on the 53-man roster, with Bryan Hudson on the practice squad as center options.