A few weeks ago the Jacksonville Jaguars traded five- time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens. Although most realized the move was a possibility, Campbell’s release sent shock waves throughout Jacksonville. How does a team replace the kind of experience and productivity Campbell provided? He was, after all, the proclaimed Mayor of Sacksonville.
Now, with the ongoing drama and likely departure of defensive end Yannick Ngakoue , there’s no doubt the weight of the load to pressure opposing quarterbacks will fall upon second-year star Josh Allen. However, if Dawuane Smoot is able to build off of his impressive 2019 season, it could finally be his time to shine.
Dawuane Smoot Should Now Shine on Jacksonville Jaguars Defense
Early Career
Dawuane Smoot was drafted in the third round of the 2017 draft out of Illinois. The hope was that he would become a force at defensive end. However, Smoot was not able to make an impact. In fact, he was invisible. And unfortunately for Smoot, his obscurity transferred from his rookie year his sophomore campaign.
Smoot did not record a sack during his first two seasons with Jacksonville and he largely went unnoticed. He didn’t even provide any flashes of his potential. Smoot struggled to earn playing time on the field. At the conclusion of his second season he was often referred to as a “bust,” and there were rumors the Jaguars would release him that spring. .
2019 Emergence
But for Smoot, his third season is where it all started to come together. And it came at an opportune time for Smoot. He added some weight to become more valuable along the defensive front. This allowed him to become a threat both inside and outside, depending on the package. That enabled him to see the field more as he saw 404 snaps that season, by far a career high.
Additionally, there was a shift in his demeanor. He began to play with more determination and aggression as the season progressed. With his motor running high and an uptick in snaps, his statistics began to improve.
Smoot’s six sacks were behind only the Jaguars trio of high-profile pass rushers. His ability to shed blocks also allowed him to tally six tackles for loss. Although he did not start a game, his impact as a reserve was felt all season. But, even with the vast improvement he showed that season he still went unnoticed by many.
2020 Expectations
It is still too early in the off-season to project whether or not Smoot will be starter or continue his rotational role. But, he is currently the team’s lone productive interior pass rusher.
Smoot will also take on a new role as a leader with the departures along the defensive line. The coaching staff and fans hope Smoot will be able to build upon last season’s success. Smoot hopes to shine during the final season of his rookie contract so he can parlay his productivity into a nice second contract. This will be his opportunity to become an impactful piece to a rebuilt defensive front in Jacksonville. Perhaps Dawuane Smoot can become the new Mayor of Sacksonville.
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