In retrospect, Smith has faced critical assessments of his performance. He split attention with a rookie season marked by limited playing time and subpar run-defense grades, leading some analysts to label him the Cowboys’ worst first-round selection of the past five years. Pro Football Focus data and industry commentary cite disappointing 2024 performances, raising questions about his fit and potential replacement, such as Darrell Jackson Jr. drafted by the Jets.
Despite Smith’s struggles, the Cowboys’ acquisition of Williams positions them to form a formidable interior defensive line alongside Kenny Clark, potentially elevating their defense after a historically weak 2025 season. The trade’s broader context shows the Cowboys’ focus on bolstering run defense and stabilizing a unit that ranked near the bottom nationally, with Williams bringing immediate star power to the front seven.
Key takeaways:
– Jets decline fifth-year option on Mazi Smith; he remains under contract for 2026–27 seasons.
– Smith’s performance has been widely critiqued, with a poor 2024 PFF grade and mounting questions about his long-term viability.
– The Cowboys now pair Quinnen Williams with established interior stalwarts, aiming to drastically improve the defense after a league-worst ranking in 2025.
– The trade reshapes both teams’ front offices’ assessment of first-round selections and run-stopping capabilities.
