Jets 2025 draft pick only needed 1 practice to jeopardize his roster spot

Speed has never been New York Jets receiver Arian Smith’s problem, as opposing defenses learned during his five seasons at Georgia.

But the most significant criticism of Smith resurfaced during Wednesday’s practice, when the second-year wideout dropped an easy pass from rookie quarterback Cade Klubnik. Smith was reportedly wide open when he failed to secure the ball.

Drops have been the story of Smith’s football career, and they might already have his hot spot scorching only hours into training camp.

What Jets fans must know about second-year receiver Arian Smith

Quarterbacks throw to the 6-foot, 179-pound Smith expecting him to score, and we promise we’re not trying to state the obvious. He ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 scouting combine and averaged 36.5 yards on his 10 college touchdowns. 

Smith also ran track at Georgia and competed in both SEC and NCAA events. So when the Jets used a fourth-round pick on him last year, they were understandably expecting to add a developmental Day 3 receiver with explosive speed.

Smith, who turns 25 in October, had seven catches for 52 yards as a rookie. The offseason arrivals of Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq didn’t help his chances of sticking around; although Sadiq is a tight end, the Jets will likely carry at least three tight ends, which could potentially affect how many receivers are kept on the active roster.

NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein projected that Smith would be a seventh-round pick or go undrafted, largely because his “unreliable” hands could result in quarterbacks losing confidence in him. 

“He could be a tantalizing option for teams looking to take a chance on his speed late in the draft, but his ball skills are unlikely to improve enough for him to become a long-term option,” Zierlein wrote. 

None of that is what you want to hear about a fourth-round pick, especially considering that Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor was still on the board. Ayomanor, who went to the Titans nearly 30 picks after Smith, was one of only six rookie receivers with at least 40 catches.

Smith should be safe for the time being, and the Jets haven’t indicated how much Garrett Wilson or Adonai Mitchell will play in the preseason. For his sake, Smith had better hope that Wednesday is the last time he drops a pass before Labor Day. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow