JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars opened the second day of the NFL draft by focusing on defense, picking LSU tackle Maason Smith in the second round.
One night after using a first-round pick on a receiver for the first time since 2012, Jacksonville stayed with LSU players in taking Smith, a 6-5, 306-pounder who will beef up a line that needs it. The Jaguars added Smith’s teammate, Brian Thomas Jr., with the 23rd pick on Thursday night.
Recommended Videos
RELATED
Brian Thomas Jr. the perfect fit for Jaguars
Grading the first-round selection of Brian Thomas Jr.
Jaguars draft LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
WATCH: The News4JAGs one-hour draft special
Jaguars unveil 30th anniversary logo before draft
Photo gallery: Fans share their NFL draft party photos
Smith missed all of his 2022 season with a knee injury and returned last year to notch 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He’s not a major stat stuffer but Smith adds much-needed reinforcements on a line that is in significant need of help. Smith finished his LSU career with 46 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Jacksonville is in a bit of a transitional phase on the defensive line. It moved on from Folorunso Fatukasi and signed Arik Armstead in free agency. DaVon Hamilton cashed in with a new deal last offseason, but battled a back injury much of the season and had a forgettable year. Adding some muscle on the defensive line was an offseason priority and getting Smith in the second round solidifies that.
While defensive line help was a need, the secondary seemed to be a greater position to target early. Cornerback was believed to be interested in as high as the first round. But the Jaguars passed on drafting one of the top two corners on the board in first round; Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell went to the Eagles at No. 22 and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold was 24th to Detroit.
Four consecutive corners went off the board in the second round — Iowa’s Cooper DeJean to the Eagles at No. 40, Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry to the Saints, Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter to the Texans and Rutgers’ Max Melton to the Cardinals.
MORE DRAFT COVERAGE
Antonio Johnson looks back at his NFL draft experience
Team president Mark Lamping talks about draft, 30th year
The five worst draft classes in Jaguars history