The tight end position has suddenly become a position of interest for the New York Jets following the free agency departure of Tyler Conklin.
With one of the deepest tight end classes coming out in the 2025 NFL Draft, though, the Jets should feel confident that their concerns at the position will be short-lived.
In any case, general manager Darren Mougey may have prepared somewhat for the potential changes in the position. New York signed former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt to a one-year deal at the start of free agency.
And the move could very well be the most underrated of the entire offseason.
Jets ‘Under The Radar’ Signing
In an article on ESPN detailing each organization’s “under the radar” move of the offseason to this point, Jets reporter Rich Cimini stated that it was Smartt who was the most intriguing – even over guys like safety Andre Cisco, and quarterback Justin Fields.
“Smartt has only 31 career receptions, but he flashed for the Chargers last season during a three-game stretch in December against the Chiefs, Bucs, and Broncos with 11 catches for 141 yards,” Cimini wrote. “He made the switch from quarterback to tight end in his final college season, so there’s upside with him as he continues to develop at the position.
“The Jets are also undergoing big changes at tight end, giving Smartt, who is going into his fourth NFL season, the chance to make the roster and contribute.”
Smartt has only been in the NFL for three seasons and has never recorded over 20 catches or over 250 yards receiving in any of those years with the Chargers. The analytics show a highly-efficient player, though.
Of Smartt’s 16 catches, he was only targeted 19 times – good for an 82.3% catch rate. Charger quarterbacks also had a passer rating of over 112 when they targeted Smartt last season.
The tight end position will be an important one with Fields at quarterback.
In his final year with the Chicago Bears, Fields targeted tight ends at a stunning 24% clip – a sign that Smartt could be used much more this season than he ever has.
If Fields continues on that trajectory of targeting tight ends, then Smartt may not just be an “under the radar signing” as Cimini suggests, but one of the best value pickups of the entire free agent period.
