The Atlanta Falcons announced on Apr. 17 that they have agreed to trade defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for defensive lineman Maason Smith.
This move is significant as both players were selected early in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and have shown promise during their short professional careers. The trade aims to address team needs on both sides, with each franchise acquiring a young player with potential upside.
Orhorhoro was chosen by Atlanta with the No. 35 overall pick and played in 25 games, starting eight times—most of which occurred during the 2025 season. He recorded 3.5 sacks last year as part of a defense that set a new franchise record for sacks, along with totaling 25 tackles (four for loss) and six quarterback hits. Orhorhoro has two years left on his rookie contract before heading to Jacksonville.
In return, Atlanta receives Smith, who was drafted by Jacksonville at No. 48 overall after his collegiate career at LSU where he earned Freshman All-American honors and All-SEC Freshman Team status. Despite injuries limiting some seasons—including a torn ACL—Smith finished his final year at LSU with 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and four quarterback hurries over his college career start of seventeen games out of twenty-two played.
Draft analyst Dane Brugler wrote about Smith: “With his long, large frame and body quickness, it is very easy to see why Smith was a five-star recruit — and why NFL teams are intrigued with his pro ceiling. But he needs to land with a patient coaching staff that can help him maximize his rare toolset,” Brugler wrote in his 2024 NFL Draft guide. “Overall, Smith is a traits-based prospect with his size, movement skills and pop at contact, but his inexperience is evident on tape with his inconsistent technique, block recognition and rush plan.” Brugler added that teams value athletes like Smith due to their size and athleticism being rare among draft prospects.
Since joining Jacksonville’s roster, Smith appeared in twenty-four games including seven starts; most of this action came during his first season when he participated in more than half of defensive snaps before seeing reduced playing time last year.
The Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division according to the official website. The team began as an expansion franchise in Atlanta, Georgia in 1965 according to the official website. They have advanced twice to the Super Bowl—in both the 1998 and 2016 seasons according to the official website—and Freddie the Falcon serves as their mascot according to the official website.