When the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Maason Smith in 2024, they thought they were getting a playmaker at defensive tackle who would wreak havoc for years to come. However, things haven't played out the way the Jags envisioned.
While the former LSU Tiger flashed late in his rookie season, he regressed to the point that he was an afterthought at the end of 2025. Smith is now entering Year 3 of his stint with Jacksonville, and he's running out of time to prove he can be a game-changer.
Maason Smith has failed to make an impact since the Jaguars drafted him 42nd overall in 2024
When the Jags drafted Maason Smith, defensive tackle was one of their top needs. They had just signed Arik Armstead, but the coaching staff wanted him to play on the edge rather than his more familiar spot inside.
Looking back, it's easy to see Jacksonville bet on Smith. Although he struggled with injuries at LSU, he had the kind of physical traits that then-general manager Trent Baalke craved in defensive linemen. Moreover, he earned comparisons to team legend Calais Campbell during the draft process. The expectation was that the Houma, Louisiana native was going to stay healthy and hone his skills during his rookie season. However, he got off to a rough start to his stint in Duval.
Smith was a healthy scratch early in his rookie campaign because he failed to make an impression. The silver lining is that he turned the corner and managed to finish strong, registering 11 pressures and two sacks in the last seven games.
After his strong end to 2024, Smith was expected to pick up where he left off. But a leg injury hindered his progress in training camp. Then, the regular season came, and he was unremarkable. By the end of the season, he had been phased out in favor of veteran Matt Dickerson.
Saying that Smith left much to be desired in his sophomore campaign is an understatement. He was made inactive at least three times throughout the year. And when he suited up, he barely logged any playing time. Couple that with the fact that the new regime has no prior attachment to him, and nobody would bat an eye if the third-year defensive lineman gets the boot in the offseason.
Maason Smith needs to show the Jaguars he's deserving of a roster spot
Player's readiness is always variable coming out of the draft, so nobody would bat an eye if Maason Smith manages to put it all together sooner rather than later. The issue is that the Jaguars can not perpetually wait for him, and he needs to showcase his talent if he wants to earn a roster spot.
Think about it, Smith hasn't suddenly stopped being talented, but if he doesn't show it on the football field, why should the Jags or any team keep him over a player who's more deserving of a roster spot? And if the Jags draft a defensive tackle (or two), they'll show how they truly feel about Smith. Heck, defensive tackle is precisely a need because he's failed to make an impact.
Conversely, the Jaguars may end up showing a bit of faith in him, depending on how things play out in the draft. One thing is certain, though, we'll soon find out how they feel about him.