Arian Smith is maximizing his final chance to make the Jets roster

If Tuesday’s practice is a sign of what to expect this weekend, then perhaps we judged New York Jets receiver Arian Smith too harshly. 

Smith turned heads for the wrong reasons in last week’s loss to the Buccaneers, dropping an easy catch on his lone target. Tampa Bay capitalized on the miscue and grabbed the ball for an interception, only fueling the increasing doubts about the 2025 fourth-rounder making the Week 1 roster.

That said, kudos to Smith for not letting the drop spiral into greater problems. The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt reported that the second-year receiver made an “incredible deep catch” against veteran defensive back Dane Belton during Tuesday’s practice. Although Belton tried his hardest to rip the ball free, Smith held on for the reception. 

New York Jets receiver Arian Smith is already trying to change the narrative

Smith’s failed catch against the Buccaneers came after a mixed training camp, where he’d alternate impressive catches with easy drops. Although the Jets’ receiver room isn’t exactly loaded with talent, the odds of him surviving final cuts still feel incredibly slim.

However, let Breece Hall’s groin strain be the perfect reminder of how injuries can potentially change an entire depth chart. Veteran running back Kene Nwangwu, who is best known for his special teams excellence, could see increased action against the Steelers because neither Hall nor Isaiah Davis (knee) will play. 

Smith’s priority should be proving that he at least belongs on a practice squad, which admittedly can sound sarcastic or demeaning. Tell that to those who get paid and receive a Super Bowl ring just as those on the 53-man roster do. 

Anything can happen once you’re on a practice squad. Injuries can ravage an entire team’s position unit, and then it’s all hands on deck. The NFL’s relaxed roster rules have theoretically made it easier to avoid relying solely on unproven players. That’s why you’ll probably see the Jets add a veteran or two to their practice squad, just to have around in case of an emergency.

It’ll nonetheless be interesting to see how much Smith plays against the Steelers. The Jets never threw his way again after last week’s drop, and that’s especially telling given it was only the first preseason game. You’d think that the Jets would want to get their young players as involved as possible when the starters didn’t play beyond the first half.

Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and the Jets’ starting receivers are expected to play on Friday night. As of publication, Glenn had not announced how long he plans to keep the starters in, and it is also unclear whether Geno Smith (ankle) will play. 

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