Gene Smith has made five picks in his first draft, and the four selections after No. 8 Eugene Monroe all have something in common: They were captains of their college teams.

Smith on his second, third and fourth picks:

On Arizona tackle Eben Britton, their second-rounder: "You don't get elected two-time captain by your teammates unless you are highly respected."

On Temple defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, their first third rounder: "Terrance is a one-time team-elected captain."

On William and Mary cornerback Derek Cox, their first third rounder: "This guy is a two-time team-elected captain. Coach (Jimmye) Laycock has been there 29 years, and it's rare that they have two-time captains, but this guy in the spring was 6-0½ , he was 190 pounds, he ran 4.39. He had two punt returns out of 12 opportunities that he returned for touchdowns. We do feel he's a guy who can come in and compete at the corner position, give us special team value, outstanding character."

According to Pro Football Weekly's draft preview book, Jaguars fourth-round pick Mike Thomas, the Arizona receiver, was a team captain too.

Smith was asked Sunday afternoon why team captaincies in college are important to him.

"Since I became the director of college scouting, it's an emphasis that I put on, and it's team-elected captain," he said. "To me that's very important, what their peers think of them. I think that tells a lot about how they conduct business, and certainly when someone is a two-time (captain), I think it speaks volumes. I really do but it starts with the talent and then it obviously goes to character, it goes to medical. I appreciate all the questions because they're very good ones."

Better leadership is a priority for Smith and the Jaguars. The guys they are bringing in have shown themselves capable leaders at their previous stops.