Dawuane Smoot Signs Contract With Jacksonville Jaguars

Dawuane Smoot, Jacksonville Jaguars, Agree to Contract

2022 proved to be another solid season for rotational defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot. Appearing in 15 games without making a start, the Illinois product finished the season with five sacks, 21 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, 12 quarterback hits, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery as he helped Jacksonville make their first playoff appearance since the 2017 season.

Smoot initially entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars, it took a while for the Illinois product to find his footing at the professional level. As a rookie, Smoot played in all 16 games but failed to record a sack, finishing the year with just 20 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and five quarterback hits. 2018 was more of the same, as Smoot played in just eight games while recording four tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and three quarterback hits.

Fortunately, Smoot overcame the slow start to his career and put it all together in the 2019 season. Playing in all 16 games, the edge defender recorded six sacks, 17 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, seven quarterback hits, and one fumble recovery. He proved that this wasn’t a fluke in 2020, earning a starting job while recording 5.5 sacks, 25 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, 17 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. After the season, the Jaguars rewarded Dawuane Smoot for his hard play with a two-year contract.

Smoot proved he was worth the investment in 2021. While Jacksonville secured the first-overall pick for the second consecutive year, Smoot himself had a strong season. In total, the Illinois product appeared in all 16 games, making 10 starts and recording six sacks, 36 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, 16 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.