Atlanta Falcons recruit former Raiders and Ravens OL

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons won’t return to the practice field for nearly five weeks, but they’re not done making moves.

Atlanta agreed to terms with offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith Monday night, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.

Jones-Smith, who stands 6-7 and 320 pounds, has played in six NFL games at offensive tackle – three with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 and three with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 – since entering the league in as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

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Jones-Smith, 28, also spent time with the Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders, but never appeared in a regular season game. Last summer, Jones-Smith signed with the Commanders and spent the entire season on the practice squad. He became a free agent once the season ended.

Jones-Smith, who played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh, signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks for the 2024 UFL season and earned a nomination to the All-UFL Honorary Team. A native of Camden, New Jersey, Jones-Smith appeared in 11 games for the Battlehawks and allowed just two sacks, according to United Football Media.

In Atlanta, Jones-Smith joins an offensive tackle room led by starters Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary. Storm Norton and Tyler Vrabel are the favorites to be the Falcons’ backup tackles.

NFL teams often have eight or nine offensive linemen on their 53-man roster, and the Falcons have a solid group behind a fully cemented starting five. As such, a path to a post-practice camp does not seem likely for Jones-Smith, but he will nonetheless have the chance to contend for a camp later this summer and possibly earn a spot on the team. training.