Arian Smith just gave the Jets another reason to leave him off the roster

As New York Jets receiver Arian Smith proved on Friday night, just because you can record an impressive catch or two in training camp doesn’t guarantee you a spot in the Week 1 lineup.

A 2025 fourth-round pick, Smith has spent the offseason on the roster bubble. Drops have reportedly been a problem throughout training camp, and he’s been floated as a cut candidate despite only entering his second season.

Smith didn’t help matters against the Buccaneers, dropping a Bailey Zappe pass that Tampa snagged for an interception. The concerns about his ability to last with the Jets are quickly mounting, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the damage is already done.

New York Jets receiver Arian Smith may have cost himself a roster spot on Friday night

Barring injuries, at least four Jets receivers — Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., and the surging Isaiah Williams — are guaranteed roster spots. Tim Patrick, who signed with the Jets after the draft, also figures to make the Week 1 lineup.

That leaves Smith, Jamal Pritchett, and Quincy Skinner Jr. among those competing for the likely sixth spot. Skinner had two receptions for 31 yards on Friday night, and Pritchett added three catches for 24 yards. 

Smith, however, only had the one target. For as bad as Bailey Zappe looked, it’s telling that he didn’t throw Smith’s way after the interception. The Jets might as well have waved the white flag on Smith and told him to clean out his locker before the game ended.

More than anything, it’s unfortunate that Smith still can’t leave his drops in the past. Draft analysts flagged his ball control leading up to the 2025 draft, and his blazing speed — he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the combine — wasn’t enough to keep him from dropping to the draft’s third and final day.

At this point, there is no reason for the Jets to bother giving Smith meaningful reps in the final two preseason games. The best-case scenario is that he goes unclaimed during roster cuts and works his way back onto the practice squad. Even the most optimistic Jets fans can’t ignore that he turns 25 in October and still has the same drop issues. 

If Smith had contributed more as a rookie, then perhaps we’d be having a slightly different conversation, only because of new offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s presence. But the ex-Georgia Bulldogs wideout only had 65 yards from scrimmage in 16 games and five starts.

Typically, we’d say that Smith still has time to change the narrative, but Friday may very well have been the last straw. 

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