Jets Ink Ex-Cowboy Tackle Tyron Smith

The New York Jets and Joe Douglas got their man! 

Tyron Smith signs with the Jets after all, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $20 million with incentives. 

Smith, 33, has been regarded as one of the game's best tackles, and was named Second Team All Pro after a season in which he had an "89.1 percent pass block rate" according to ESPN. 

Smith was released by the Dallas Cowboys who appear to be retooling in many respects this off-season. 

The Jets now have a totally restructured offensive line with Smith at left tackle, John Simpson, whom they signed as a free agent, via the Baltimore Ravens, at left guard. Joe Tippman firmly set at center, Alijah-Vera Tucker at right guard, and newly acquired Morgan Moses at right tackle.

On paper it is certainly a better offensive line than what the Jets trotted out last season. 

Last season was a bounce back year for Smith, who played in 13 games. Prior to that he battled through injuries from 2020 through 2022. The Jets hope he can continue to play at a very high level at the age of 33 going on 34 come December. 

The signing of Smith also gives Gang Green options. 

They don't HAVE to select a tackle with the 10th overall pick. They could go wide receiver, or maybe tight end like Brock Bowers, who seems to be a guy a lot of people like. They could even take a quarterback if they really like Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr., and if they are unsure if Aaron Rodgers is fully committed to football rather than ... well ... running with RFK Jr. as Vice President. 

They could even trade the pick.

The smartest thing to do would be to take another tackle at 10. You  can't have enough really good lineman, and this a draft full of them. The Jets have a history of not protecting themselves in case of injury to a player. (see Aaron Rodgers again).  If either Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu or Talise Fuaga is there at 10, the Jets should strongly consider taking that player.