The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars to trade defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro for defensive lineman Maason Smith, both teams confirmed on April 17, 2026. The swap involves two second-round picks from the 2024 NFL Draft, with each player entering their third NFL season.
Orhorhoro, selected 35th overall by Atlanta in the 2024 draft out of Clemson, has played in 25 games for the Falcons with eight starts, all coming in the 2025 season. Last year, he recorded 3.5 sacks, 25 total tackles (four for a loss), and six quarterback hits as Atlanta’s defense broke the franchise sack record. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
Smith, chosen 48th overall by Jacksonville in the same draft class after playing college football at LSU, stands at 6-foot-5 and 306 pounds. He earned Freshman All-American and All-SEC Freshman Team honors in 2021 before injuries, including a torn ACL in the 2022 season opener, limited his availability. In his final collegiate season, he tallied 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and four quarterback hurries.
Coming into the 2025 NFL season, Smith appeared in 191 pass rush snaps for the Jaguars, logging 11 pressures with no sacks, primarily in obvious passing situations. He was a healthy scratch during Jacksonville’s final regular-season games and did not play in their playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Orhorhoro, by contrast, played in all 17 games for Atlanta in 2025, generating 30 pressures and four sacks over 390 pass rush snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked tied for 51st among 121 eligible defensive tackles in pass rush productivity, even as Smith ranked 97th in the same metric.
The trade addresses differing needs for both clubs. Atlanta adds a younger defensive tackle with starting experience and a proven pass-rush role, while Jacksonville acquires a player with higher draft capital and developmental potential who may benefit from a change of scenery after falling out of the rotation in 2025.
Both Orhorhoro and Smith were selected under general managers who are no longer with their respective teams — Terry Fontenot in Atlanta and Trent Baalke in Jacksonville — adding context to the swap as a change of scenery for two early-round picks seeking renewed opportunities.
The Jaguars cited the emergence of Matt Dickerson, whose expanded role contributed to Smith’s reduced playing time, as a factor in the decision to move on from the former second-round pick. Dickerson increased his pass rush involvement throughout the 2025 season, limiting Smith’s snaps in sub-package situations.
For Atlanta, the trade adds interior depth and competition along the defensive line, where Orhorhoro can push for a starting role alongside established veterans. His ability to generate pressure as an interior disruptor aligns with the Falcons’ recent emphasis on improving pass rush production from the interior.
Smith, now joining a Falcons defensive line that includes Grady Jarrett and Zach Harrison, will compete for snaps in a rotation that values versatility and size at the tackle position. His LSU background and physical profile fit the prototype of a two-gap defensive lineman capable of holding point against the run while developing as a pass rusher.
The trade was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed by both teams through official channels. No additional draft picks or players were involved in the exchange, which was completed ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
Both players will now report to their modern teams for offseason programs, with Organized Team Activities scheduled to begin in late May. Neither has publicly commented on the trade as of the time of this report.
The move represents a low-risk, high-upside proposition for both franchises: Atlanta gains a player with immediate starting experience, while Jacksonville acquires a former high-upside prospect still on his rookie deal, hoping a new environment unlocks his potential.
As the NFL offseason progresses, the impact of this trade will be evaluated during training camp and the preseason, where both Orhorhoro and Smith will aim to secure expanded roles with their respective clubs.
For continued updates on NFL transactions, player movements, and team strategies throughout the 2026 offseason, readers are encouraged to follow official team announcements and trusted sports news sources.
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