The Atlanta Falcons made a notable trade on Friday, exactly one week before they will make their first selection in the 2026 NFL draft.
Per Adam Schefter, the Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a trade that sends defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro to Jacksonville in exchange for DT Maason Smith. Ruke Orhorhoro is a 24-year-old defensive lineman out of Clemson University.
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GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 26: JD Bertrand #40 and Ruke Orhorhoro #98 of the Atlanta Falcons sack Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco: Orhorhoro, the 35th pick two years ago, has 36 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven QB hits and one pass breakup in 25 games (eight starts). Smith, taken 13 spots later, has 32 tackles, three sacks, four QB hits and four pass breakups in 24 games (seven starts).
The Falcons are expected to target defensive linemen in the NFL draft next week, especially given the current situation with James Pearce Jr.
It’s possible that both NFL franchises change their draft strategy after this recent trade. Moreso for the Jaguars, but a trade like this close to the NFL draft has to mean something noteworthy.
Neither play has stuffed the stat sheet in any way, but it will be interesting to see how both are utilized on their respective team’s.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 26: JD Bertrand #40 and Ruke Orhorhoro #98 of the Atlanta Falcons sack Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The NFL draft is quickly approaching, and the biggest items of need for the Atlanta Falcons are receiver depth and pass rush help, again, assuming James Pearce Jr. has to miss some time season.
The Falcons drafted Ruke Orhorhoro in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Clemson, and he just hadn’t panned out like the team had hoped.
As for the Falcons’ acquisition in this trade, Maason Smith was also drafted in the second round, but by the Jaguars.
In a similar vein, Smith only tallied three sacks in his first two seasons. This feels like a very apples-to-apples trade, but again, each team must see something in the player they traded for.
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