The Atlanta Falcons traded defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro to the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive tackle Maason Smith, the team officially announced on Friday afternoon. This trade was somewhat usual for a couple of reasons.Not only are player-for-player trades extremely rare in the NFL, but Orhorhoro and Smith play the same position and were drafted just 13 spots apart from each other in the 2024 draft. Both former second-round picks underwhelmed over the last two seasons and could benefit from a fresh start.Orhorhoro should provide the type of pass-rushing production that the Jaguars were seeking on the interior, while the Falcons will look to Smith for depth and, in theory, his run-stuffing ability.However, ESPN's Seth Walder did not think Smith was an upgrade over Orhorhoro in either area and declared the Jaguars as slight winners in the trade.

Atlanta received a B-minus, while Jacksonville earned a solid B.ESPN declares Jaguars winner in trade with Falcons"Both were also well below average in run stop win rate last season, though Orhorhoro was better in that category," wrote Walder. "Each team is wondering if it can get a little more out of the player it's bringing in. But if I had to choose a slight winner in this trade, I would go with the Jaguars.

Orhorhoro has earned more playing time and produced more sacks over the past two seasons. He's also a better run defender than Smith."The Falcons barely played Orhorhoro as a rookie, but he showed flashes in Year 2. Last season, the former Clemson standout received more playing time, but Brandon Dorlus ran away with the starting job.

Dorlus went on to record 8.5 sacks in 2025.On the flip side, Atlanta clearly felt Smith would have a bigger role than Orhorhoro. In terms of PFF grades, Smith had the edge as both a pass-rusher and run-stopper. Orhorhoro earned an overall grade of 37.3, with a run defense grade of 30.1 and pass defense grade of 53.5.Smith earned an overall PFF grade of 49.1, with a 51.8 run grade and a 61.3 pass defense grade.

Obviously, PFF grades aren't the be-all and end-all in determining which player is better, and we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out. Both teams must first navigate the 2026 NFL Draft next week. Round 1 kicks off on Thursday, April 23. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN grades Atlanta Falcons trade with Jaguars