Before the 2026 NFL Draft, defensive tackle was the biggest need for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ruke Orhorhoro trade changed that. The Jags didn't see Maason Smith in their long-term plans, so nobody batted an eye when they traded him to the Atlanta Falcons. What stood out was that he managed to acquire a player with lots of upside in return.
Smith struggled to get going during his two-year stint in Duval. By the end of 2025, he was made a healthy scratch. Meanwhile, Orhorhoro showcased pass-rush potential despite the fact that he played out of position. In fact, a stat proves just how much of a game-changer he can be.
Ruke Orhorhoro gives the Jaguars massive pass-rush upside
Mark Riamondi of ESPN revealed in 2025 that Ruke Orhorhoro led all defensive tackles with a pass rush rate of 15.5 percent. The 2024 second-round pick also finished his sophomore campaign with 30 pressures and 3.5 sacks, whereas Maason Smith only posted 11 pressures and no sacks.
Simply put, Orhorhoro can give the Jacksonville pass rush a boost it desperately needed. Sure, he didn't have any sacks as a rookie, but he played through injuries and still was able to flash potential. It's fair to say that he could build off his promising 2025 if the coaching staff puts him in a position to make plays.
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Ruke Orhorhoro gives the Jaguars a pass rusher with upside and draft flexibility
The Jaguars could have held onto Maason Smith and given him the chance to get going in training camp. However, they might've seen enough of him to think that he wasn't going to take advantage of the opportunity. When you add that the former LSU Tiger had already struggled under a different regime, it wasn't particularly shocking to see Jacksonville move on from him.
That the Jags managed to get something in return for Smith is certainly welcome news. Even more so when you consider that Ruke Orhorhoro not only helps them fix a massive roster void but also gives them ample flexibility in the NFL Draft.
This wasn't a particularly good year to draft a defensive tackle. With Ruke Orhorhoro in the mix, the team's brass no longer has to address the position at No. 56. Christen Miller and Lee Hunter would have been the best options. But now, the Jags are protected in case either is gone (or both) are off the board when they're on the board. Moreover, they can bolster the linebacker corps, the pass rush, the secondary, and even the offensive line in Round 2.
Sure, the Jaguars could still double-dip at defensive tackle or address the position in later rounds, but they no longer have to. That's one of the biggest benefits of trading for Ruke Orhororo. Couple that with his pass-rush upside, and they might've gotten a steal. All it took was shipping Maason Smith to the Falcons.
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