Jets insider paints bleak picture for former first-round bust defensive tackle

Just because they were involved in the same trade doesn’t necessarily mean the New York Jets viewed Mazi Smith as a long-term Quinnen Williams replacement. 

Smith, who turns 25 on June 16, definitely had age on his side. 

And, as we’ve seen with first-round picks before, sometimes a change of scenery helps showcase exactly why they were selected so high. 

That might not be the case with Smith, though — at least, not with the Jets. 

Rich Cimini suggested the Jets could cut Mazi Smith

In a notebook published ahead of OTAs, ESPN's Rich Cimini listed five Jets who he believes are already fighting for roster spots. 

However, one of those five is linebacker Janine Sherwood, who Cimini noted isn’t in “immediate trouble” because he’s still owed $15 million in guaranteed money. 

The other four — Smith, safety Andre Cisco, edge rusher Braiden McGregor, and wide receiver Arian Smith — aren’t so lucky. 

Smith is in his final season of team control after the Jets declined his fifth-year option. 

Considering that the fifth-year option would have paid Smith almost $14 million, you didn’t see many Jets fans complaining. 

And, unfortunately for Smith, that’d likely be the case if the Jets do indeed part ways with the ex-Michigan standout. 

He may be talented, Smith was never the most important part of the Quinnen Williams trade. 

The Jets got a 2026 second-rounder and a conditional 2027 first-round pick alongside Smith. 

That second-rounder eventually became No. 44, which the Jets traded to Detroit for the No. 50 and No. 128 picks. 

Then came some more draft maneuvering, but at least the Jets used No. 50 on Indiana All-American cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. 

So, technically, Smith will have helped the Jets if Ponds — a potential Day 1 starter — lives up to early expectations. 

The question becomes whether the Jets would be able to get anything for Smith in a preseason or September trade. 

Take the Giants, for example, who recently lost Roy Robertson-Harris to a torn Achilles. 

Had the injury happened during training camp, perhaps the Giants would be tempted to send a conditional Day 3 pick to their MetLife Stadium co-tenants. 

And, granted, the Giants could still do that. 

If you’re the Jets, you should want whatever you can get for a 25-year-old who you don’t see in your future. 

Or, or maybe Jets will simply cut Smith and try to stash him on the practice squad. 

But by no means should anyone eventually criticize the Jets if Smith doesn’t work out. 

Save that anger, mockery, or your effort in combining the two if the Jets’ overall 2026 draft class fails to impress. 

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