JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Linebacker Telvin Smith on Tuesday became the fifth Jacksonville Jaguars draft pick to sign a contract with the team.
Smith was a fifth-round pick, 144th selection overall, from national champion Florida State. Smith might have gone higher in the draft, but he had a diluted urine sample at the NFL combine and is now a part of the NFL drug program.
He started one season at Florida State, but the Jaguars coached the 6-foot-3, 218-pound linebacker at the Senior Bowl and liked how he performed. In his senior season at FSU, he intercepted three passes, returning two for touchdowns, tying a school record.
Smith is expected to contend with another former FSU linebacker, Dekoda Watson, for the starting spot at on the weak side.
Smith’s signing leaves the team’s top four draft picks unsigned, including No. 1 QB Blake Bortles.
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