NFL

Rams bust Smith takes Hunter’s place with Jets

The Wayne Hunter Era at right tackle officially is over for the Jets. Now, the question becomes: Did they upgrade the position?

Jason Smith became a Jet last night when the team completed the deal with the Rams to swap underachieving right tackles. The Jets are banking on new surroundings helping Smith revive a career that has been a disappointment.

“I think Jason has a chance to come in and help us,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. “He’s going to get a fresh start here and has a lot of athletic ability. We’re excited to have him.”

Smith, who was selected second overall in the 2009 Draft, has appeared in just 29 career games and lost his starting job in St. Louis earlier this month. Still, he could be an upgrade over Hunter, who allowed 11 sacks last season and was benched last week after allowing 2 1⁄2 sacks to the Giants in a preseason game. Hunter’s confidence appeared shot after he came under intense criticism.

The Jets say they are bringing Smith here to be a backup and extra lineman in the “jumbo” package. Austin Howard, who won the job over Hunter, remains the team’s starting right tackle.

Tannenbaum said there is a chance Smith will play in tomorrow’s preseason finale against the Eagles.

Initially, it seemed strange for the Jets to acquire Smith, who was set to earn $4 million this year, in exchange for Hunter, who is making $2.45 million. But part of the trade agreement was the Rams signing Smith to a new contract yesterday before the trade became official, according to a league source. They converted $1.55 million of his money into a signing bonus the Rams paid. So, the Jets are only on the hook for his $2.45 million salary, the same amount Hunter would have earned this year.

It essentially is a one-year deal with the Jets, since Smith has an $11.25 million roster bonus due to him if he is on the roster the first day of the next league year. The contract voids if he plays 31 percent of the snaps this season. So, he will be gone either way. If he plays well, he will become a free agent. If he doesn’t, the Jets will cut him.

Smith, who is 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds, was taken second in the 2009 draft out of Baylor. He has battled concussion problems, including one that ended his 2011 season.

“We understand the risk there,” Tannenbaum said. “That was a concern, but we felt that was a reasonable risk to take.”

The Jets now have three of the top 11 picks from the 2009 draft — Smith (2), quarterback Mark Sanchez (5) and linebacker Aaron Maybin (11). The Jets grabbed Maybin off the scrap heap last year when the Bills cut him. He ended up with six sacks and the Jets hope he can be a major contributor this year. Now, they hope to get the same out of Smith.

“That is no question a change-of-scenery move,” a league executive said. “Jason Smith has had some injury baggage. He can move his feet but has limited power and average strength. It’s just a change out [with Hunter].”

The trade confirms what fans have thought for the past year — the Jets erred when they signed Hunter to a four-year $12.9 million deal before last season. He was a disaster as Damien Woody’s replacement. Even after watching his dismal 2011, the Jets brought him back as the starter this year until benching him last week.

“When we signed Wayne, we felt there was a lot of good football there,” Tannenbaum said. “He played a lot of good football for us. Obviously, that’s not a story that’s going to be written now. He did a lot of good things for us. We felt he could have taken the next step. Last year was mixed. It wasn’t all bad. There were some really good things in there. We felt he deserved another chance [to start this season].”

brian.costello@nypost.com