Jaguars OLB Josh Allen excited to mentor newcomer Maason Smith

The Jacksonville Jaguars raised eyebrows when they selected LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, a close look shows that they made the right choice, and outside linebacker Josh Allen, for one, cannot wait to play with Smith.

Allen said not long after Jacksonville selected Smith that he's excited about his arrival. He added that he's looking forward to helping with his transition to the NFL.

"When you're an offensive lineman, and you stay across and see me at 6'5, 265/270 [pounds]. You look on the other side, you got Travon [Walker] at 6'5", 270 as well," Allen said on Bleacher Report Gridiron. "Then, you got Armstead, 6'7", 300... and don't know how many pounds. You look at Roy [Robertson-Harris], you look at this guy. We're going to have our presence."

"As soon as we put the pads on, people are going to feel our presence too. I'm excited about him. We're going to get right. I'm going to be with him the entirety of the time. Can't wait to show him how things are done like I was. I'm excited for him," Allen said.

Allen is right. Even though the Jags signed veteran Arik Armstead in free agency, they needed depth in the interior defensive line. Smith can provide it. The former LSU Tiger won't get a feature role early on but that's not a bad thing. He'll get to learn the ropes behind Allen and Armstead. Once he hones his skills, his workload will most likely increase.

A five-star recruit out of high school, Smith got off to a strong start to his collegiate career, registering four sacks in his freshman season. He wasn't nearly as productive the following season but finished strong in 2023, posting 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss. Here's Allen's appearance on B/R Gridiron.

The Jaguars have a player with immense upside in Maason Smith

Jaguars fans weren't thrilled with the Maason Smith pick but that's mostly because they expected the front office to address the cornerback position, arguably a more pressing need than defensive tackle. That said, analysts have given Jacksonville praise for taking a chance on the Louisiana native.

During his scouting report on Smith, Matt Holder of B/R report wrote that he has the potential to be Calais Campbell 2.0. That's a lofty comparison but it's one fans should embrace. Field Yates of ESPN, for his part, was effusive about the pick noting that the defensive tackle has the size, length, and power to succeed in the NFL.

Granted, the Jaguars still need to take a cornerback. They then can claim that they've taken care of all their needs. However, that shouldn't take anything away from Maason Smith, who's got the tools to develop into a mainstay of the defense.

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