It’s not often that a fourth-round pick is the most controversial player of an NFL team’s draft class, but that is the case with Arian Smith and the New York Jets.
First-year Jets general manager Darren Mougey took the Georgia product with the 110th overall pick. While it is a relatively low-risk investment, the selection has drawn criticism from fans and media members. It has a lot to do with Smith’s pre-draft rankings.
Smith was the No. 274 overall prospect on the consensus big board at NFL Mock Draft Database. Because of this, some have pegged Smith as a reach at No. 110.
Multiple concerns led to Smith being viewed as a Day 3 or undrafted prospect. For starters, he had severe drop issues in college. Smith ranked third among FBS players with 10 drops in 2024, despite catching only 48 passes (17% drop rate).
In addition, Smith will turn 24 later this year, and over his first four years at Georgia, he never caught 10 passes in a season.
However, the Jets are thrilled about Smith’s physical traits. He has elite speed, posting a 4.36 time in the forty and looking even faster on tape. In addition, he registered a 127-inch broad jump and 38-inch vertical. Smith used these skills to shine as a deep threat at Georgia, averaging 19.9 yards per reception in his career.
The upside is obvious. But are the concerns strong enough to make Smith a reach in the fourth round?
Only the film can answer that question.
Below is Blewett’s Blitz’s full Arian Smith scouting report (strengths and weaknesses) and film review, which features 35 plays.
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