Can This Rookie Receiver Establish Himself as a Key Contributor for the Jets?
When New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey picked Arian Smith in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the pick didn’t come without controversy. Smith, a five-year player at Georgia, was widely recognized for his elite speed and may have had the best in the entire draft class. However, his dependability and tendency to drop passes were a glaring concern. In his last season at Georgia, Smith posted 817 yards and four touchdowns on 48 receptions. However, he did drop 10 passes. With a receiver room lacking any type of veteran dependability behind Garrett Wilson, Smith had to make himself seen in OTAs and training camp to get a shot at the roster. In May, Smith certainly made himself seen and became one of the most talked-about players heading into training camp.
During the first week of training camp, Smith impressed both his teammates and reporters alike. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds commented on Smith’s work ethic, as well as his ability to take what he learns and apply it to the field. While most rookies have trouble with the translation, Smith’s ability to do so has been impeccable so far, according to the veteran. During OTAs, special teams coordinator Chris Banjo commented on Smith’s ability to be a long returner for the team. The Jets have lacked an impressive return man in recent years, with Xavier Gipson struggling at times. Smith’s explosiveness can create a new narrative for the Jets in the offensive department.
With limited competition among wide receivers, Smith has the chance to take over and earn reps by improving on his weaknesses. During training camp, Smith impressed reporters with his route-running ability, something that wasn’t particularly sharp during his college career. In order to become a key contributor on the team, Smith is going to have to show the team that he is much more than just a speedy player. If he can control his drops and improve on the things that he lacked in college, he has the chance to become a dependable receiver in the Jets’ offense this season.
