NFL world reacts to Falcons' pre-draft trade with Jaguars

[ASFN Admin]

The Atlanta Falcons swung a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, swapping defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro for second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith. The two former second-round selections were taken 13 picks apart in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Falcons traded up to get Orhorhoro with the 35th overall pick, while the Jaguars snagged Smith with pick No. 48 overall. Orhorhoro was a healthy scratch for the first half of his rookie year but found a role in 2025.

The former Clemson standout appeared in all 17 games last season, recording 12 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks. Orhorhoro is a better pass rusher, but Smith is the better run defender. Atlanta needed someone who can play nose tackle and Orhorhoro is best as a 3-tech.

Smith, 23, gives the Falcons a true run-stuffing presence with plenty of upside. The former LSU defensive lineman has appeared in 24 career games, recording 32 tackles (14 solo), and three sacks.

Falcons fans weren't exactly sure what to think of the rare player-for-player trade. Here's how those around the league reacted to Atlanta swapping Orhorhoro for Smith.

NFL world react to Falcons-Jaguars trade​

When we said the Falcons need to free Ruke from playing NT we didnt mean they had to trade him @NFLSEshowhttps://t.co/3wHTRm7ulE

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) April 17, 2026

The uber-rare player-for-player at the same position trade! https://t.co/10kNbpG2VL

— Jacob Nierob (@JNierob) April 17, 2026

Another one of those Terry Fontenot Day 2 gems https://t.co/5mgnNOaUWV

— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) April 17, 2026

Ruke: 35th overall pick in 2024. 706 career defensive snaps over two seasons

Maason: 48th overall pick in 2024. 656 career defensive snaps over two seasons

Both players could use fresh starts https://t.co/VTe88Mp6WH

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) April 17, 2026

Im very surprised by this. Two very different DTs, a more attacking one for a reacting one

Falcons want more size and stouter run D? Checks out

Jaguars... arik replacement?. I like Ruke's upside as a 1 on 1 pass rusher. Solid double swiper . Get more pass rushing talent https://t.co/TQJtkhorwL

— JJ Pegues Cross Chop (@JJCrossChop) April 17, 2026

Orhorhoro had 3.5 sacks last year w/ #Falcons; both he and Maason Smith drafted in 2024.

Wish I still had my interview with him from the Combine b/c he loves him some fellow @ClemsonFB Tiger Trevor Lawrence https://t.co/zRY4lYoj8c

— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) April 17, 2026

A head scratcher, team never got their full investment out of Orhorhoro and have elected to cut their losses instead of seeing the project through https://t.co/o5DzhVZyWE

— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) April 17, 2026

Trading Ruke Orhorhoro for Maason Smith just flushed the possibility of the Falcons drafting a NT

Smith was drafted 13 picks after Ruke in the same NFL Draft

First impression? I think this trade is dog crap https://t.co/b8LG6wrPyLpic.twitter.com/xwDVGo7n8l

— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) April 17, 2026

Falcons and Jags trade their 2024 second round picks.

Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham will hold their pre-draft joint presser on Monday. Curious to hear their perspective on this move. https://t.co/VNNEa51422

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) April 17, 2026

Maason Smith had 19 run stuffs the last two years, per Next Gen Stats, which ranked fourth among the Jags' defensive tackles. He's also listed at 6-5 and 306 pounds, which adds more size to Atlanta's defensive line. https://t.co/Q6KRanUbZC

— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) April 17, 2026

The Falcons are preparing for next week's draft but will have to wait until Day 2 to make their first pick of the Ian Cunningham era.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons trade Ruke Orhororo to Jaguars: NFL world reacts

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