The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first trade of the 2026 offseason is officially in the books!
The Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons have exchanged third-year defensive tackles: Ruke Orhorhoro (Oh-row-row-row), the 35th overall pick in 2024, is now headed to Duval; Maason Smith, the 48th pick in the same draft class, is en route to the ATL.
Over the past two years, Smith totaled 32 tackles and 3 sacks across 24 regular season games (7 starts). Orhorhoro accrued 36 tackles and 3.5 sacks over 25 games (8 starts).
Off rip, this looks like a win for Jacksonville. Smith picked up a calf injury last offseason that he didn’t seem to ever fully recover from, as the team made him a healthy scratch multiple times in 2025 in favor of Matt Dickerson (who was re-signed earlier this offseason). Smith never seemed like a clean fit for the Jaguars’ new regime. His roster spot in 2026 was hardly a guarantee.
For general manager James Gladstone to receive any compensation out of the former Trent Baalke project is good stuff. The fact that the return is a cost-controlled, pass-rushing defensive tackle is even better.
The Jaguars also waived offensive lineman Cooper Hodges, who attended nearby Baker County High School and was drafted in the seventh round in 2023.
After missing his full rookie campaign due to a dislocated right kneecap, Hodges played 9 straight games (including 1 start) in 2024 before unfortunately going down again, this time due to a significant right knee injury that required a cart and an air cast. Last June, the Appalachian State product was waived following a failed physical and reverted to the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Wishing nothing but the best to Cooper!
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
