Jaguars Re-Sign DL Dawuane Smoot
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a potentially important move for their pass-rush, bringing back long-time defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot on a one-year deal.
The deal, which is worth a max value of $6.25M and comes with $3.25M in guarantees, keeps Smoot in Jacksonville after he spent the offseason as a free-agent. Smoot was set to visit with the Baltimore Ravens, but the Jaguars and Smoot's representatives were able to get a deal done before Smoot set foot in the Ravens' facilities.
Smoot suffered a season-ending Achilles injury vs. the New York Jets in Week 16, leading to the former third-round pick using the offseason to attack rehab as he prepares for the 2023 season.
A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Smoot appeared in 90 games for the Jaguars over the past six seasons, recording 22.5 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. One of the best developmental stories in recent Jaguars history, Smoot was able to become one of the Jaguars' most reliable pass-rushers in recent seasons as he transitioned to more of an inside/outside role that saw him line up in multiple positions.
One of the key leaders in Jacksonville's locker room last season, Smoot and former Jaguars' pass-rusher Arden Key were important cogs in the Jaguars' pass-rush that now have to be replaced.
At the time of his Achilles injury against the New York Jets in Week 16, Smoot was second on the team in pressures, fourth in quarterback hits, first in sacks, and second in pass-rush win rate. He recorded five sacks in each of the last four seasons, recording 22.5 sacks in that span and often looking like Jacksonville's most consistent pass-rusher.
