Just days before the NFL draft, the Jaguars made their first trade of the offseason, sending defensive lineman Maason Smith to the Atlanta Falcons for Ruke Orhorhoro in a rare same-draft player-for-player trade.
Jaguars Trade Maason Smith for Ruke Orhorhoro
Smith was a controversial selection at pick 48 of the 2024 draft, and he did very little to change that narrative. Through two seasons, Smith played 24 games, starting just seven. Smith struggled in 2024, recording just three sacks and never finding his footing in the pass-rushing rotation. In 2025, he struggled even more, as he failed to record a single sack, quarterback hit, or tackle for loss, and recorded just 11 pressures. He brought little production as a run defender and even less as a pass rusher.
Ruke Orhorhoro on the other hand, still appears to have untapped potential. He saw a big increase in playing time in 2025, and he showed flashes of a starting defensive tackle. Orhorhoro recorded 3.5 sacks, 30 pressures, four tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits.
#Jaguars 2025 DT Pressures:
48- Arik Armstead
30- Ruke Orhorhoro (🚨)
11- Maason Smith
11- DaVon Hamilton
4- Matt Dickerson
2- Austin Johnson https://t.co/YMzoWD801q— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) April 17, 2026
Relentless motor 😮💨
@ruke33 | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/7NbKHj6S6S— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 17, 2026
How Does This Affect the Draft?
This should not affect how the Jaguars approach the draft at all. Orhorhoro will take Smith’s place as a rotational pass rusher. The Jaguars are likely to still address the defensive line with one of their first three picks.
On paper, this is a low-risk, high-reward trade for the Jaguars. Smith was already a potential cut candidate due to injuries and poor play, but now the Jaguars have a player from the same draft class who can produce at an adequate level while still also having more potential. The trade also brings very little financial change, as the Jaguars go from having $5.9 million in cap space to $5.2 million, with Smith taking on a $1.3 million dead cap hit.
Final Verdict
The Jaguars get an A grade for the trade. Smith was a healthy scratch multiple times during the 2025 season and was almost certainly not going to make the 53-man roster in 2026. The Jaguars managed to get a better player with higher upside in return while not giving up any draft capital. James Gladstone has attacked the margins of the roster at nearly every position, and this was another move that adds depth to a thin position group.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
