Jets Rams Trade: New York Smart to Take Chance on St. Louis' Jason Smith

The New York Jets and St. Louis Rams decided to consummate a trade that will swap disappointing offensive linemen in hopes of jump-starting their respective careers. The reported deal (via the St. Louis Post Dispatch) will send Jason Smith to New York in exchange for Wayne Hunter. 

While I don't think either player is going to suddenly turn into a superstar, Smith is the piece of the puzzle that makes the most sense for either side. 

Hunter is a 31-year-old, nine-year NFL veteran who really was serving no purpose on the Jets' offensive line. He was never a dynamic player up front, but his performance had really started to slip, as has the rest of the front four for Gang Green. 

They needed to do something drastic to upgrade their line, or at least try to, in order to protect Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Shonn Greene so they can have time to make things happen. 

Smith, while a disappointment, is still just 26 years old and only three years removed from being the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. His upside has fallen dramatically compared to what it once was, but there could still be something there for the Jets to bank on. 

If Smith can turn into a starting NFL offensive lineman with the Jets—something he was not going to be in St. Louis—the Jets will be getting tremendous value based on what they had to give up for him. 

One factor that could be playing a role in Smith's struggles is the concussion he suffered in his rookie season. He told Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (h/t Victoria Advocate) that "my situation was real serious."

Concussions, as we all know, are no laughing matter. With Smith feeling the effects of that so early in his career, it could have made him a little apprehensive. 

Perhaps there is something Rex Ryan and the Jets coaching staff see in his technique that they can change to help him find that potential he has never really shown. 

Even if it doesn't happen for Smith, the risk is a good one for the Jets to take on. They didn't have to give up anything of value, and it could be a potential upgrade for their broken offensive line. 

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