The Jets are officially cutting defensive tackle Mazi Smith, according to Adam Schefter. This is a big move for a guy who was once a first-round draft pick, and it definitely caught some attention from fans tracking the league’s roster moves.
The Rise and Fall of a First-Rounder
Remember Mazi Smith? The Cowboys snatched him up as the 26th overall pick in the 2023 draft. That’s a huge investment, right? But things change fast in the NFL. He spent just over two years in Dallas before they shipped him off to New York as part of the blockbuster Quinnen Williams trade. Last season, Smith only appeared in eight games, with a mere three of those being with the Jets. It just never clicked in New York the way they probably hoped. His career numbers stand at 57 tackles, two sacks, and six quarterback hits across 42 games. Not exactly first-round production, and it looks like the Jets decided to move on.
D-Line Is Stacked, Smith Was Buried
Honestly, the writing was on the wall for Smith back in the offseason. The Jets went out and traded for T’Vondre Sweat and signed David Onyemata in free agency. Those were massive moves for their defensive line, and it meant Smith was looking at a packed depth chart. Ahead of him were names like Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, T’Vondre Sweat, Jowon Briggs, and even fourth-round pick Darrell Jackson Jr. That’s a seriously deep unit, and it’s tough to crack the rotation when you’re behind that kind of talent. The Jets are clearly committed to building a monster upfront, and it cost Smith his spot.
This move just shows how brutal the NFL can be, especially for high draft picks who don’t pan out. With Smith now on the waiver wire, it’ll be interesting to see where he lands next. For the Jets, their D-line is clearly set, and they’re ready to roll with their established talent.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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