All-UFL offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons last week. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

After having completed his second season with the St. Louis Battlehawks and first in the United Football League, offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith signed an NFL contract with the Atlanta Falcons, last week.

This past season, Jones-Smith was an All-UFL selection for St. Louis and played a key role in the Battlehawks winning the XFL Conference regular season championship. St. Louis lost the XFL Conference championship game to the San Antonio Brahmas on June 9.

Since then, Jones-Smith has been a free agent with the option to join any NFL team interested in him. And the interest turned into another chance to play in the NFL when the Falcons signed him last week.

Jones-Smith has played in six career NFL games — three with the Raiders in 2020 and three with the Ravens in 2021. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Texans in 2018, after completing his college career at the University of Pittsburgh. Since then, he has spent time with the Dolphins, 49ers, Ravens, Raiders, and Commanders.

It has been reported that Atlanta is looking for depth at both offensive tackle positions behind its current crew of starters and backups, led by Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary, and Storm Norton.

The Falcons will begin training camp next month, with an eye on its preseason games that begin in August.

Atlanta has been very active in the free agent market this summer. Along with Jones-Smith, the Falcons have signed two other offensive linemen and four defensive players.