Jets may have a cut candidate hiding in plain sight ahead of training camp

The New York Jets did a phenomenal job of turning a weakness into a strength this offseason when it comes to their defensive line, adding multiple key players to their rotation.

In 2025, it was a clear hole, particularly after they cut ties with former All-Pro Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips were solid, but when they came off the field, it was glaringly obvious there wasn't NFL-caliber talent in reserve.

Through the trade market, free agency, and the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets found new defensive tackles, all of whom have more upside than any of the other backups they had last year.

But all of those additions may have left one player as the obvious odd-man out, and the clock could be ticking on his time in New York.

Mazi Smith obvious cut candidate head of Jets training camp

Former first-round draft pick Mazi Smith, who the Dallas Cowboys essentially added as a throw-in of the Williams trade, is likely on the Jets roster bubble.

Despite coming over in the Williams deal, Smith only appeared in three games for the Jets in 2025 and played 54 defensive snaps.

New York already have their four best defensive tackles in front of them. Phillips and Briggs, of course, but new additions T'Vondre Sweat and David Onyemata expect to play key roles in turning around what was a poor run defense in 2025.

But even if the Jets have their main rotation figured out, you're likely thinking that they still need a reserve player in case of injury, and that could absolutely be Smith. However, that role seems destined for 2026 fourth-round pick Darrell Jackson Jr.

ESPN's Rich Cimini said earlier in the offseason that Jackson will likely end up "redshirting" his rookie season, meaning the best-case scenario is that he doesn't see the field.

That likely means bad news for Smith and the other fringe defensive tackles on the Jets roster, such as Payton Page and Jack Heflin.

There just won't be room on the roster for many other interior defensive linemen, and Smith, who isn't even a former Jets draft pick, may be the first to go.

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