Jets projected to make surprising move on former first-round pick

New York Jets defensive tackle Mazi Smith may have just received an excellent — albeit belated — birthday present. 

The gift in question? 

There is still at least one prominent Jets insider who believes Smith could crack the Week 1 roster. 

When you’re in a precarious situation like the 25-year-old Smith, then you take whatever positives you get. 

In his most recent 53-man roster projection, The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt included Smith among the six defensive linemen to survive final cuts. 

“He didn’t show enough to get on the field practically at all after the Jets got him in the Williams trade,” Rosenblatt wrote, “but perhaps defensive line coach Karl Dunbar can tap into the potential that got him drafted in the first round in 2023.”

More importantly, as Rosenblatt noted, Smith is still guaranteed over $2.5 million. 

What to know about Jets defensive lineman Mazi Smith

The Jets acquired Smith essentially as a throw-in part of the Quinnen Williams trade. 

Unlike Adonai Mitchell, Smith hasn’t yet made the most of whatever opportunities he’s given. 

Mitchell immediately carved out a role after arriving via the Sauce Gardner trade, and he’s likely the starting No. 2 receiver. 

Then, there’s Smith, a former first-round pick currently on the roster bubble. 

At best, Smith is a depth body — and a 6-foot-3, 337-pound one at that. 

But the Jets have no reason to force keeping Smith around if they don’t see a realistic future for him.

Smith played 54 snaps over three games with the Jets. Over a 17-game season, that’s 306 snaps, or an even 18 snaps per game. 

Is that really worth paying someone over $2.5 million for?

Let the Jets find another rebuilding team, one with the defensive line space to get an extended look at Smith, as a possible suitor. 

All of this sounds harsh, but the NFL is a business. 

The Jets made a minor investment in Smith, and there’s no reason to believe the stock will take off. 

Sometimes, you need to buy for a dollar and sell for two. 

If it’s any consolation, the Mitchell gamble is already paying dividends.

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