Jared

Smith

Seahawks OL coach Tom Cable worked out Smith as an offensive lineman before the draft and liked what he saw. An obvious project, Smith played defensive tackle at New Hampshire and recorded four sacks with three kick blocks as a senior. He could help his chances by blocking a field goal or PAT in the preseason.

Smith (6-foot-3 3/8, 302) recorded 40 tackles -- 10 for a loss -- four sacks and three kick blocks as a senior. He ran 5.08 at the Combine with a 1.79 ten-yard split and 28 bench reps. Lacking great athleticism and length, Smith projects as a rotational tackle once he learns to handle NFL speed. The Seahawks announced Smith as a guard, so it appears he’ll be asked to switch to the other side of the ball.

The team did the same thing with J.R. Sweezy after last year’s draft, and he wound up making starts as a rookie. Smith is 6-foot-3, 302 and worked out for OL coach Tom Cable last week. “We’re excited about his upside from an athletic standpoint,” said Pete Carroll. “He’s in a very similar mode as Sweezy.”

A seventh-round pick out of New Hampshire in 2013, Smith was converted from defensive tackle to guard in Seattle. He has familiarity with new coach Dan Quinn and will battle for one of the Falcons’ final roster spots.