Falcons agree to terms with Jaguars to trade DL Ruke Orhorhoro for DL Maason Smith
Atlanta Falcons • • sports
Key Points:
- The Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a trade involving defensive linemen Ruke Orhorhoro and Maason Smith, with Orhorhoro moving to Jacksonville and Smith joining Atlanta.
- Orhorhoro, the Falcons' 2024 second-round pick (No. 35 overall), has played 25 games with eight starts, recording 3.5 sacks and contributing to a franchise record in sacks during the 2025 season; he has two years left on his rookie contract.
- Maason Smith, selected 13 picks after Orhorhoro in the 2024 draft (No. 48 overall), played college football at LSU, earning Freshman All-American honors but was hampered by injuries; he has appeared in 24 NFL games with seven starts.
- Smith is noted for his rare combination of size (6-foot-5, 306 pounds) and athleticism, though experts cite his inexperience and inconsistent technique as areas for development under a patient coaching staff.
- In the NFL, Smith saw more playing time in his rookie year (51% of defensive snaps in 2024) than in his second season (36% in 2025), recording three sacks, three passes deflected, and 17 tackles in 2024.
