The Falcons got an early jolt of validation in their preseason opener, and it came from the move that had plenty of fans scratching their heads back when Atlanta shipped Ruke Orhorhoro to Jacksonville for Maason Smith.
At the time, the deal looked strange on its face: no draft picks coming back, and a defensive tackle who was supposed to be part of the rotation headed out for a player who, on paper, carried less polish. But Smith’s summer has been trending in the right direction, and his first live game action in a Falcons uniform only added to that momentum.
Atlanta’s 27-7 loss to the Broncos didn’t produce much good news overall, but Smith stood out as one of the brighter spots. He didn’t put up a tackle, yet he flashed the kind of disruption the Falcons have been hoping to see. His best snap came when he split through two blockers in a hurry and blew up a play before it could develop.
That kind of moment fits the broader arc of Smith’s summer. DL coach Nate Ollie called him a "pleasant surprise" during OTAs, and he has continued to show well in camp. Now he’s carrying that into games, which matters more than anything after a trade that drew immediate skepticism.
Smith was listed as a starter on Atlanta’s first unofficial depth chart, and the sense around him is growing clearer by the day: he’s going to play a major role for this defensive line. The Falcons are betting on the 23-year-old to become a real answer in the middle, and so far that bet looks a lot less wild than it did when the trade first went down.
Part of why the move is starting to make sense is that Orhorhoro never really found his footing in Atlanta either. He had the second-worst PFF grade and the third-worst run defense grade among qualified defensive tackles last season, and the fit never quite clicked. Atlanta wanted him as a three-tech pass-rusher, but he was used more as a flexible defensive tackle and occasional nose tackle.
Smith, by contrast, looks built for the role Atlanta wants him to play. At 6-foot-5 and 306 pounds, with an 8.99 RAS, he has the size and movement skills to be a problem in the middle of the line. If he keeps progressing, the Falcons could have their long-term nose tackle on their hands.
Jacksonville drafted Smith in the 2024 second round, 13 picks after Atlanta took Orhorhoro, and the preseason opener suggested the Falcons saw enough in him to make the swap. He didn’t light up the box score, but the flashes were there. With Nate Ollie and Jeff Ulbrich guiding the development, Atlanta believes there’s more to unlock.
The LSU product still has work to do, but the early returns are encouraging. If this trajectory holds, Smith could end up being a major reason Atlanta’s run defense takes a step forward from 2025 to 2026, especially with Brandon Dorlus and Zach Harrison alongside him.
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Falcons Face An Early Tua Test After Flat Offensive Debut
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The preseason schedule does not offer much breathing room, with the Colts up next and another opportunity for Tagovailoa to show progress. Michael Penixs recovery from an ACL injury also keeps the quarterback picture in view, making these snaps matter a little more than they usually would this time of year. [Read more 🡒]