JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jaguars liked what they saw from journeyman wide receiver DeAndre Smelter during the team's mandatory minicamp this week.
On Friday, the team signed Smelter to their 90-man offseason roster. Smelter was one of nine tryout players invited to the team's three-day mandatory minicamp.
Smelter was the third tryout player signed by the Jaguars following the three-day audition. Long snapper Andrew East and offensive lineman Sean Hickey were added to the roster on Thursday.
Smelter, 26, has been around the NFL since 2015. The Georgia Tech alumnus entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite his somewhat notable draft pedigree, Smelter only appeared in two games during his three-year stint with his original NFL team. His lone career catch was a 23-yard reception produced in a 25-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.
The 6-foot-2, 227-pound wide receiver spent last offseason with the Indianapolis Colts but was waived before the start of organized team activities (OTA). Smelter was out of the league for the entirety of last season.
The Macon, Georgia native brings size to the Jaguars' wide receiver unit. He joins a group that features only two wide receivers who are taller than him - second-round pick DJ Chark and undrafted rookie Allen Lazard - and he is among the heaviest pass-catchers on the roster.
While the Jaguars seemingly have their top five wide receivers in place, the team could be looking to keep a sixth player on the depth chart. The final wide receiver spot would probably be filled by a player with a unique skill set (punt returner, red-zone threat, deep-speed option) and Smelter's size could help him stand out among the bunch.
Smelter's competition for the sixth-and-likely final wide receiver spot would seemingly be Lazard, Rashad Greene, Shane Wynn, Jaydon Mickens, Dorren Miller and Montay Crockett. Following their OTA and mandatory minicamp efforts, Greene, Mickens and Wynn appear to be the top candidates to take on the sixth wide receiver spot. However, training camp and the preseason could be Smelter's launching pad into the lineup.
To make room for Smelter on the offseason roster, the Jaguars waived undrafted rookie defensive tackle Mike Hughes with an injury designation. Hughes will be subject to the waiver wire and if he passes through unclaimed, he will revert to the team's injured reserve list.
Hughes suffered an undisclosed injury during the final rep of this week's mandatory minicamp. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in May and took part in the team's rookie camp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
With Hughes now unavailable, the Jaguars currently have Malik Jackson, Abry Jones, Marcell Dareus, Taven Bryan, Eli Ankou and Mike Bennett at the defensive tackle position. Ankou and Bennett both dealt with undisclosed injuries during Phase 3 of the offseason program.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.