Dawuane Smoot

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		127	27.0	172	25.5
2025		17	2.0	23	1.5
2024		11	1.5	16	7
2023		12

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Performance versus salary tier earns Dawuane Smoot a C+ Contract Value Index, with cap structure shaping the verdict. At 31 years old and nine seasons into his career, Smoot posted modest 2025 season numbers of 23 tackles and 2 sacks across 17 games—production that aligns squarely with his role as a rotational depth piece rather than a featured edge rusher. His $1.5M AAV is appropriately scaled for a veteran reserve in the defensive end market; the contract reflects realistic market value for a journeyman who has accumulated 27 career sacks without establishing himself as a consistent double-digit producer. The single-year term carries minimal risk and zero dead-cap burden, making Smoot functionally interchangeable with other veteran backup pass rushers Jacksonville could cycle through without meaningful financial consequence. Media framing places him in the stable-reserve category—reliable enough to warrant a roster spot but lacking the upside or playmaking consistency that drives significant organizational investment or fan discourse. The Jaguars' recent activity on the defensive line, including signings and depth acquisitions, suggests Smoot occupies a fungible role in a crowded rotation, meaning both his contract and his roster standing remain low-leverage and low-narrative throughout 2026.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Dawuane's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Dawuane Smoot is a nine-year veteran pass rusher and established depth option for Jacksonville's defensive line rotation. The 31-year-old has logged 127 career games and remains a reliable rotational contributor despite declining production metrics this season. However, his current C+ grade masks a concerning downward trajectory that warrants close monitoring moving forward. This season, Smoot's pass-rush productivity has slipped noticeably across the board. He's averaging 0.12 sacks per game, well below the NFL average of 0.19 and significantly below elite edge standards of 0.66 sacks per contest. His tackle-for-loss rate of 0.09 per game ranks below league average at 0.27, while his 0.29 QB hits per game trails the NFL mean of 0.43. These current-season dips represent a notable departure from a veteran who built his reputation as a consistent rotation piece throughout his career. The troubling element is the downward trend across his recent seasons, dropping from a C- grade in 2024 to a D in 2025 after a D in 2023. At 31 years old with diminishing production, Smoot appears to be entering the twilight phase of his NFL tenure. His ceiling as a reliable rotational pass rusher remains his primary value, but consistent pressure generation is essential to justify roster spot maintenance going forward. Watch whether Jacksonville commits to him as a depth piece or pivots toward younger edge options in the offseason.

How Dawuane Compares at the Position

Dawuane Smoot ranks 59th of 147 graded defensive ends by performance. That slots Dawuane between Tyler Baron (C+) just ahead and Keion White (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Dawuane Smoot enters 2026 as a veteran depth defensive end with a modest nine-year track record and no All-Pro or Pro Bowl accolades, anchoring him in the role-player category. Recent headlines reflect a mixed narrative: individual sack highlights demonstrate he remains productive in limited snaps, yet the Jaguars' organizational messaging—emphasizing youth development behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen—suggests Smoot's role may be diminishing. Contract speculation and free-agent comparison articles indicate the team is evaluating alternatives, a typical signal for a veteran on a low-cost deal facing potential replacement. Media coverage is neither damaging nor celebratory, reflecting his status as a reliable but unspectacular contributor rather than a cornerstone piece. Overall perception remains neutral-to-slightly-cautious, with Smoot's 2026 standing dependent on whether Jacksonville commits to veteran depth or accelerates its defensive line youth movement.