Overview
- A trade announced Friday between Atlanta and Jacksonville sent DT Ruke Orhorhoro to the Jaguars for DT Maason Smith in a straight-up exchange of 2024 second-round picks.
- Both tackles have two years left on rookie deals, and the contracts are similar, though Orhorhoro brings a $1.7 million 2026 guarantee plus $966,000 guaranteed in 2027 while Smith has a $1.1 million 2026 guarantee and no 2027 guarantees, creating only small cap shifts.
- Their production to date is comparable, with Orhorhoro at roughly 36 tackles and 3.5 sacks over 25 games and Smith at about 32 tackles and 3 sacks over 24 games, as Smith’s snap share fell to about 36% in 2025 while Orhorhoro’s role grew on passing downs.
- Both franchises have new GMs and coaching staffs since the 2024 draft, and coverage frames the move as a change-of-scenery, scheme-fit swap that is unusual for being player-for-player at the same position.
- Reporting indicates the trade does not remove defensive tackle from either team’s draft plans next week, and early grades from ESPN view Jacksonville as a slight winner based on Orhorhoro’s usage and production.