(04-29-2024, 02:14 PM)NYC4jags Wrote: I hear lots of folks putting this pick on Matt House.

I think it's deeper than that.

Ed Ogeron recruited Maason Smith. Ryan Nielsen is a protege of Ed Ogeron.
I think our DC may have been pounding the table for this pick with or without House being in the building.

That's definitely a possibility. If true, we just have to hope Nielsen got this right. Smith was one of the "biggest" risk/reward picks in this class (maybe 2nd to T'Vondre Sweat). The Jaguars passed on much "safer" players like Kris Jenkins, Ennis Rakestraw and Zach Frazier. They could have also traded up to pick 41 to get a more complete cornerback ( McKinstry ) or possibly the best interior lineman in the draft (JPJ). Not sure what the price would have been, but these 2 players would have been worth it, in my opinion. 

Ultimately, Maason Smith's success (or lack of) will be the key to this draft. If he turns out to be Chris Jones( similar measurables ), we will be hailing Baalke for this decision. If not, everyone will be calling for his head (nothing new). Fans will have to be patient with Smith since he is very inexperienced and needs to refine some of his pass-rushing techniques. Chris Jones only had 2 sacks as a rookie and didn't "break out" until his 3rd season. Having Armstead as a mentor along with a stable group of coaches (didn't have this at LSU) will certainly help.

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