CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Cincinnati Bengals

Justin was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in first round (fourth overall) of the 2001 NFL draft. He signed with the team on September 8th, following protracted contract negotiations, and had roster exemption for the September 9th season opener vs. New England . Despite missing all of the preseason plus the first regular-season game, Smith logged a Bengals rookie-record 8.5 sacks, breaking mark of 8.0 set by James Francis in 1990. He finished second on the line in total tackles (53) and first in solos (41) and had the second-most sacks by an NFL rookie in 2001, topped only by the 9.0 of Pittsburgh 's Kendrell Bell.

In his second season with the Bengals, he started every game at RDE and led team in sacks (6.5), led defensive line in tackles (59) and also led the team in sack yardage (56). He played 95.5 percent of the defensive snaps (934 of 978), second on team. He ended the season with 6.5 sacks, giving him a total of 15 for his first two seasons, most by a Cincinnati Bengal in his first two seasons since 1976-77.

In his third season with the Bengals, he recorded 60 tackles of which 41 were solo. He also added another 5.0 sacks.

His fourth season saw him lead team in sacks (8.0) and sack yardage (70.5). He also lead the defense in snaps played (94.4 percent), and he recorded 70 tackles.  

In 2005, Smith led the team once again in sacks (6.0), making it his third time to lead the team in his five seasons. In his other two seasons, he finished one sack or less behind the team leader. By the end of his fifth year, he had moved into fifth place on Bengals all-time sacks list with a total of 34.  

On February 15, 2007 the Bengals designated the franchise tag on him. He led the league in assisted tackles in 2007 with 29.  

San Francisco 49ers:  

On March 1, 2008 he signed a six-year, $45 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers. The deal includes $20 million in guarantees. He never made it to Minneapolis for a proposed visit prior to signing with the 49ers. Smith, the No. 4 pick in 2001, will be used often with his hand up in San Francisco's 3-4, allowing Tully Banta-Cain to be a nickel rusher. He'll also see a good amount of action at end in the Niners' 4-3 fronts. Smith hasn't played linebacker as a pro, but has the motor and athleticism to be effective there. He's a good player who is getting paid to be great.

COLLEGE

After majoring in General Studies at Missouri he entered the 2001 NFL Draft following his junior year. In his junior season at Missouri he logged 11 sacks, 24 tackles-for-loss and 97 total tackles. His sacks and tackles-for-loss set school season records, and he also set the school's sacks record two years in a row, logging eight as a sophomore. As a junior he earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association and was a unanimous selection to All-Big 12 first team. As a sophomore he also earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. In 1998, became first true freshman since 1986 to start every game for Missouri .