Jets’ putting all faith in former top prospects to be building blocks

In dealing away two young defensive stars (Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams), a useful cornerback (Michael Carter II) and any remote hopes for their present, the Jets placed faith in their front office and scouting minds to turn three first-round picks and a second-round pick into difference-making talent over the next couple of years.

But overlooked in these trades is the talent that had not developed as hoped elsewhere, the Jets also placing faith in their own coaching staff to maximize once-promising players who might be able to blossom with opportunity and/or a change of scenery.

Somewhat quietly, the Jets picked up a trio of former high draft picks who they hope will show more with their current team than their past team(s).

Included in the Gardner trade was wideout Adonai Mitchell, who was been a second-round pick of the Colts in 2024.

In exchange for Carter, the Jets received another receiver, John Metchie III, who was selected in the second round by the Texans in 2022.

Included in the Williams trade was defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a first-round pick of the Cowboys in 2023.

With all eyes on the future, let’s meet the new Jets hopefuls who will try to live up to their prospect pedigrees and make a case that they should be a part of the team’s future:

Adonai Mitchell

What should have been his first career touchdown instead became a turning point.

Back in Week 4, the second-year Colts receiver, a former star at Georgia and Texas, won a one-on-one battle and caught a bomb from Daniel Jones down the sideline. With safety help approaching, Mitchell showed off his agility in spinning away from both defenders and sprinted toward the end zone. After a push from a Rams defender, he stretched out the ball to ensure it broke the plane — and the ball slipped out of his hand and into and out of the end zone.

A would-be 75-yard touchdown became a touchback in a game the Colts lost by seven.

Mitchell received four targets in that game. In his next and final four games with Indianapolis, he totaled four targets.

“Just a crowded room [with the Colts],” Mitchell said after Jets practice Friday in his first public comments with his new team. “Everybody can’t go. I don’t feel any ill-will toward the Colts organization. At the end of the day, they took a chance on me at [pick No.] 52. … I hate that it didn’t work out, but like I said, I’m excited to be here.”

In 25 games with the Colts, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Mitchell caught 32 passes for 464 yards — underwhelming numbers that were not helped by Anthony Richardson’s inaccuracy last year.

Long, lean and with excellent athleticism, can he develop into a No. 2 behind Garrett Wilson?

“He is a true X receiver,” head coach Aaron Glenn said, “and he is one that can win the one-on-one battle, slants, digs, go balls.”

John Metchie

Going from Taiwan to Ghana to Canada before high school in Maryland and the Peddie School in New Jersey and finally college at Alabama, Metchie is adept at adapting and learning on the fly.

So going from the Texans to the Eagles in an August trade and now getting flipped to the Jets isn’t such a big deal.

“I don’t really know anything else,” Metchie said. “To me, I’m kind of used to it.”

The 6-foot slot receiver established himself as quick and a solid route runner at Alabama, becoming the 44th pick in 2022. His ascent stalled upon being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, which wiped away his rookie year. He recovered, debuted in 2023 and was not a big part of the Texans’ offense before the trade to Philadelphia, where he also was buried in the receivers’ room.

His own scouting report: “I think really versatile. I think I bring a really good physical attitude, not just in the pass game but in the run game. I think really well-rounded, not really boxed in to one role. I think since college, been able to do kind of everything I’ve been asked to do.”

Glenn, who referred to Metchie as a “master when it comes to the route concepts in the slot,” said Metchie and Mitchell could be a part of Sunday’s game against the Browns as they learn the offense, “but they’ll definitely be a part of what we’ve got going on” beyond this weekend.

Mazi Smith

Glenn met the then-Michigan defensive tackle when he was coaching with the Lions.

“He’s a huge man,” Glenn said of a player listed at 6-foot-3, 337 pounds. “He’s strong, has all the traits that you’re really looking for when it comes to a defensive tackle.”

In two-and-a-half seasons with Dallas amid inconsistent schemes, Smith recorded two sacks and had been fazed out of the defense, playing in five games this season and starting none.

“Obviously, things didn’t work out well with him in Dallas,” Glenn said, “and just like AD, man, we’re hoping he can get a change of scenery and come here with us and be able to provide what we’re looking for.”