Dawuane Smoot Is Poised To Breakout in 2020
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVf2uakctgw[/embedyt]
With Yannick Ngakoue now in Minnesota you have to ask who is going to step up to play opposite of Josh Allen. Many will tell you that 2020 first round pick K’Lavon Chaisson will be that guy. The team loves his athleticism, but I think they’ll bring him along much slower than what fans anticipate. I believe it’ll be Dawuane Smoot that steps up
How Is Smoot Performing In Camp?
Jaguars’ defensive line coach, Jason Rebrovich, has been dishing out praise for Dawuane Smoot when meeting with the media.
“He’s having one heck of a camp. Sometimes it takes some guys some learning curve and understanding what we are doing from a technique standpoint and scheme standpoint and Smoot is doing one heck of a job,” said Rebrovich.
You can see it on the field. He made tackle, Cam Robinson, and guard, Andrew Norwell, look silly on a variety of pass rush moves. Whether it was a stunt to the inside or simply bending around the edge Smoot has spent the last couple of weeks just winning.
Proof Is In The Pudding
Smoot is heading into his fourth season after being drafted in the third round out of Illinois. He finished with six sacks last season off of 404 snaps. In his first two seasons he produces 26 pressures over 286 pass rushing snaps while also being a solid run defender. He was a bit less impressive last season with more snaps, but Jacksonville’s defense as a whole was a bit of a disappointment.
With Smoot’s prior pass rush success and his big camp expect him to be the starter this season with Chaisson sprinkled in here and there. He has great explosion and speed off the edge winning with quick hands and a high motor. He is often the first in the backfield, so if he finishes with double digit sacks I wouldn’t be surprised and you shouldn’t either.
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