One of the most polarizing picks in the New York Jets’ draft class, wide receiver Arian Smith has spent the summer absorbing information and applying it on the field.
So far, he’s absorbing that information about as fast as he can dart downfield on a nine route. Just ask veteran wideout Josh Reynolds.
Speaking to the media at training camp, Reynolds praised Smith’s progression and work ethic on and off the field since entering the Jets building.
“He takes a lot of stuff in,” said Reynolds. “He is a good student and he transfers it to the field. That is good for rookies because for a lot of them, it is hard for them to transfer it to the field from the locker room or the classroom, so he has done a great job doing that.”
Reynolds is one of multiple key members of the Jets who have been impressed with the Georgie rookie this summer.
During Jets OTAs in May, special teams coordinator Chris Banjo raved about Smith, including his potential as a returner.
“Some guys, people don’t even know they have returner capabilities,” Banjo said. “We were fortunate enough to draft Arian (Smith) and he’s been able to flash some things, some very, very good things.”
Banjo also highlighted Smith’s progress with his hands, which were an issue for him in college.
“I know people talk about his hands in the past, but he’s honestly shown us some great things here early on.”
The 23-year-old wide receiver arrived in Florham Park as one of the Jets’ most talked-about draft picks. First-year general manager Darren Mougey selected him in the fourth round after a five-year career at Georgia built on game-breaking speed and explosiveness.
Smith posted 817 yards and four touchdowns on 48 receptions during his final season with the Bulldogs, flashing deep-threat potential but battling through inconsistency. He dropped 10 passes and forced just five missed tackles, drawing concerns about his hands and physicality in traffic.
Still, at the NFL Combine, Smith reminded scouts that he’s a rare athlete. He clocked a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash, jumped 38 inches vertically, and turned in a 127-inch broad jump – testing numbers that reinforced his reputation as one of the explosive players in the country.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein called Smith “the fastest player on the field,” noting: “If a cornerback presses him and misses, he better have safety help because Smith averaged 36.5 yards on his 10 career touchdown receptions.”
But Zierlein also pointed to lapses in ball control, writing that Smith’s “unreliable hands” could keep him from becoming a long-term contributor.
As Smith develops his all-around game, he is expected to bring burst to the New York offense as a gadget weapon – someone who can turn jet sweeps, screens, and deep shots into game-changing plays.
Smith’s speed is a given. But as training camp continues, his reliability and consistency are what will determine whether he becomes a true weapon in New York’s offense.
In a wide receiver room with little proven NFL production beyond Garrett Wilson, Smith has a clear path to carve out an immediate role.
If Smith can build on the flashes he’s shown in camp, he could find himself as a situational deep threat early in the season. Even if he’s not hauling in five receptions per game, he has the ability to tilt the field and take the top off of opposing defenses.
However, in order to lock down that role, Smith needs to prove he can do more than just be a speedster. He will have to clean up the drops, show he can finish routes, and make mid-play adjustments.
That’s the difference between being a highlight-reel sprinter and a trusted contributor. It will determine whether Smith plays a significant role in Tanner Engstrand’s offense or spends time buried behind veterans.
The good news for the Gang Green? Smith seems to get it. He’s putting in the work, earning praise from veterans, and doing the little things that often separate camp bodies from real contributors.
The speed won’t go away, but if Smith can sharpen the rest of his game, he won’t stop at just making the roster. He will give the Jets something they desperately need: a home-run hitter in an offense that lacked punch and authority in 2024.
In a room full of question marks, Smith has a prime opportunity to be an exclamation point.