Jaguars re-sign DE Dawuane Smoot
The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping to fortify their pass rush in 2023, and they're bringing back a very familiar face to do so. Free agent DE Dawuane Smoot is re-signing with the Jags, per his agent David Canter. The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. Smoot, who was drafted by the Jaguars […]
The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping to fortify their pass rush in 2023, and they're bringing back a very familiar face to do so.
Free agent DE Dawuane Smoot is re-signing with the Jags, per his agent David Canter. The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Smoot, who was drafted by the Jaguars in the third round of the 2017 draft, became an unrestricted free agent after the end of the 2022 season. He suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in the Jaguars' late-season 19-3 win over the Jets.
At the time of the injury, Smoot was tied with Josh Allen for the team lead in sacks with five. In fact, since 2019, Smoot has tallied at least 5 sacks each season for Jacksonville, providing a steady and reliable presence on the defensive line. He's earned a pass rushing grade of over 73 from Pro Football Focus each of the last two seasons while producing a solid 12% pressure rate in 2022.
Smoot's injury and his status as an unrestricted free agent gave the Jaguars the luxury of being able to wait and see how his rehab went. It evidently progressed enough such that the team was comfortable with his current status.
Smoot also had been gaining interest from other organizations, with him reportedly set to visit the Baltimore Ravens next week. The Jaguars apparently decided that they weren't going to let him get away and kept their long-time defender at home for at least one more season.
And now the Jaguars will have another familiar – and productive – face getting after the quarterback again in 2023.
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Featured image via Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
