The excitement during the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp/preseason has naturally centered around the offense. Even the Jaguars young defensive players like rookie Travon Walker and second-year player Tyson Campbell have garnered a lot of praise. Not to be outdone, defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot’s dominance this camp has
Here’s the latest example of Smoot’s dominance this preseason as he bull-rushes RT Walker Little into the dirt.
1 on 1
Smoot vs Walker Little pic.twitter.com/TXgrxvdEBu
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) August 17, 2022
The six-year veteran has looked faster and stronger than ever before. Smoot has consistently been dominating practices and 1-on-1 drills against the offensive line. Smoot’s dominance is turning heads. Whether it’s showing up in highlights from practice or being a daily positive mention in the practice write-ups by the Jags beat reporters.
Here’s another clip of Smoot making it look easy in practice on Monday.
#Jaguars DL Dawuane Smoot has continued to be one of the more active linemen on the team pic.twitter.com/3rPCgG8nsG
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) August 16, 2022
Contract year for Smoot
Drafted by the Jaguars in the third round in 2017, this is a contract year for Smoot. According to Spotrac, his base salary is $3.85 million this season, and he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2023. Since 2019, his production has climbed. In 2019 he had 6 sacks and 17 combined tackles; in 2020, he had 5.5 sacks and 25 combined tackles; in 2021, he racked up 6 sacks and 36 combined tackles.
On Monday, SI.com’s Josh Shipley tweeted that Smoot has gotten a lot of run with the 1s. Most notably in the nickel defense with Walker, Josh Allen and Arden Key.
Smoot having his best season yet, is another positive to add to the list for the Jaguars this preseason. A key one at that. The Jaguars ranked 18th in QB pressure rate (24.2%) and were 28th in sacks (32) in 2021
This season, Smoot’s production could create more opportunities for himself and his teammates. And if he can carry this strong preseason into the season, a revival of Sacksonville could be in store for the Jaguars.
