Darren Mougey is officially watching a Jets draft pick go up in flames

New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey appears to have made out fairly well with his first-ever NFL Draft class in 2025. He drafted two apparent long-term starters in right tackle Armand Membou and tight end Mason Taylor, while also adding someone who will enter 2026 as a promising starter in cornerback Azareye'h Thomas.

Day 3, however, has proven to be a bit more mixed. Mougey added four players on Day 3, thanks to some trades up, but only safety Malachi Moore looks like the only one of them that can head into 2026 as either a starter or backup who will play a good plurality of snaps.

While linebacker Kiko Mauigoa will likely be nothing more than a career backup, and edge rusher Tyler Baron has barely looked like an NFL player since arriving in New York, the most disappointing pick has been wide receiver Arian Smith, who is already on the outside of the depth chart looking in.

Looking at how the Jets handled players like Xavier Gipson and coaches like Steve Wilks, both of whom underperformed, it appears that Mougey and Aaron Glenn are willing to admit mistakes and cut losses. Smith may be up on the chopping block, as he is already a complete afterthought in New York.

Jets are watching Arian Smith NFL Draft pick go up in flames

Smith was widely regarded as a player who should be picked late on Day 3, but the Jets used an early fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall) on him. While he is one of the fastest players in the league and showed some separation against man coverage, the finer points of receiver play seemingly elude him.

With poor blocking, questions about drops that have not abated, and a recent benching for what appears to be some disciplinary reasons, Smith has been relegated to a reserve role. With how thin this wide receiver room has become, his inability to get snaps is concerning.

Even with Garrett Wilson out, trade acquisitions Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III have proven to be superior players. The fact that return man Isaiah Williams, who came into the year with just two NFL catches, leapfrogged Smith on the depth chart may be the biggest indictment of the former Georgia star.

Every GM is going to whiff on some Day 3 picks, but Smith was a bit of a heat check from Mougey and the front office. They appear to have completely misevaluated the Georgia product, and Smith may not be on the Jets in 2026.