Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Smith a day three NFL Draft steal

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a potential day three NFL Draft steal in former UAB pass rusher Jordan Smith, who could have a big year one role.

When you open up an NFL Draft class with a quarterback that is considered a generational talent like Trevor Lawrence, it’s understandable that the second and third day of the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ 2021 NFL Draft class has gone slightly underrated.

The Jaguars had multiple fourth-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and both were spent on the defensive trenches and specifically on guys who can help get after the quarterback.

Jaguars GM Trent Baalke traded up in the fourth round of the draft to get UAB pass rusher Jordan Smith. Smith was a former Florida Gators transfer who played two years at UAB where he showed off some really intriguing skills with a very unique body type.

Although Smith is 6-foot-6, 264 pounds, one of the top traits that stands out about him is his ability to bend around the edge. For a guy who looks every bit of his 6-foot-6 on tape, edge bending and the ability to get horizontal is not typically a primary strength.

Having a pass rusher who can move like this off the edge with burst and length is going to be a very fun addition for the Jacksonville Jaguars as time progresses. His length is difficult enough to deal with but when you combine that length with a really good first step and the ability to contort his body to dip under a lineman’s armpit?

That’s a dangerous combination.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Smith a godsend

Sacks were very hard to come by for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020.

When I say they were very hard to come by, the Jaguars had 18 sacks in the entire 2020 season. Dawuane Smoot led the team with just 5.5 sacks a season ago, but what about pressures?

The Jaguars had 77 pressures as a team last season.

For somewhat of a frame of reference, Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher TJ Watt had 61 pressures by himself last season. Back in the 2018 season, Aaron Donald had 70 pressures on his own.

Obviously, the Jacksonville Jaguars recognize there is a need here, and they will be banking on some recent high draft choices like Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson to help fill that need. Jordan Smith will also be called upon.

Although many considered Smith to be a bit of a draft-and-stash type of prospect, he’s going to need to play an immediate sub-rush role for the Jaguars. He has the skills to be a really effective sub-down rusher for Jacksonville immediately and is someone who could provide that boost on third down or in the nickel package that can result in turnovers created.

The Jaguars’ 2021 rookie class will be looked on as the foundation set in place to usher in the Urban Meyer era, and while all eyes will be on Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, it’s guys like Jordan Smith who can really cement a class like this as a truly great one.