Ed Smith (born May 15, 1952) is an American former professional football player who played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).
Smith attended Colorado State University, where he played college football. His performance there led to him being a highly touted prospect in the NFL Draft. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round (17th overall) of the 1975 NFL Draft.
He played three seasons in the NFL, all with the Denver Broncos, from 1975 to 1977. During his time with the Broncos, he was part of the nascent "Orange Crush" defense that would become a prominent force in the late 1970s. However, Smith's professional career was relatively short-lived due to injuries.
Following his football career, Smith became known for his work in the fitness and rehabilitation field, particularly for developing the "Ed Smith Test," a widely used orthopedic assessment to evaluate shoulder stability and strength.