Summary

Maason Smith was selected in Round 2 (#48 Overall) in the 2024 Draft out of Louisiana State University. A former five‑star recruit, Smith was a Freshman All‑American and Freshman All‑SEC selection in 2021 and began his college career with high production before a season‑ending knee injury in 2022. He returned in 2023 to start 12 games, finishing his LSU career with 47 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and multiple pass breakups, showcasing rare traits and disruptive potential for his size. In his rookie 2024 NFL season, Smith contributed as a rotational defensive tackle, recording three sacks, 17 tackles, and three passes defensed in 11 games before beginning the 2025 campaign on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He is regarded as a high‑character worker who overcame injury adversity and returned to impact the field, earning early trust from the Jaguars’ defensive staff.

Strengths

• Elite Size & Length: Smith boasts rare size and arm length for a defensive tackle, giving him leverage and reach against blockers. Smith’s strong upper‑body strength allows him to anchor and control blocks at the point of attack.

• Quickness Off the Snap: Shows a sudden first step and can penetrate gaps ahead of blockers, making plays in both the run and pass games.

• Disruptive Run Presence: When engaged, he can hold the point and generate penetration, helping plug interior running lanes.

• Mentally Tough: Overcame a serious knee injury in college and returned to full starter duties, showing resilience and strong work ethic.

Weaknesses

• Leverage Challenges: His height can work against him at times, making it harder to consistently get low to bend his knees and win leverage battles. Smith struggles to consistently shed multiple blockers, occasionally getting stood up when double‑teamed.

• Mental Lapses: Smith has had a few plays in the pros where he has taken the cheese to jump offsides and has had some post play discipline penalties.

• Rudimentary Pass Rush Moves: Relies more on power and quickness than a polished repertoire of pass‑rush moves. Smith will need to focus on development of counters.

• Injuries & Inexperience: Missed significant time in college due to injury and has a relatively short track record of high‑volume production. Smith also started the 2025 season on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury, potentially affecting early‑season availability and hampering his production.

Outlook

Smith projects as a multi‑down interior defensive lineman with starter upside in a 4‑3 front or as a three‑technique in hybrid fronts. His combination of size, quickness off the ball, and natural power gives him the tools to impact both the run and pass games, especially when matched against guards and centers who can’t sustain his initial burst. In the Jaguars’ scheme, Smith’s early role has been rotational, providing relief for veteran tackles while he develops his counter moves, hand usage, and consistency against double teams. If he continues progressing technically and stays healthy, Smith has the upside to develop into a core interior disruptor and regular starter, anchoring the middle of a defense with above‑average finish and gap‑control ability. Unfortunately to this point however, that ceiling remains far away and he will need to take a large step in his third season to justify his roster spot moving forward. At just 23 years old, it can take a while for young defensive linemen to develop.