Jets rookie using bizarre method to fix biggest flaw in his game

New York Jets rookie wide receiver Arian Smith is doing everything he can to make sure drops don’t define him in the NFL.

The Jets’ fourth-round pick told reporters this week that he’s taking an unorthodox and intense approach to fixing his drop issues. Smith revealed he’s been training with strobe goggles during hand-eye coordination drills, a method designed to sharpen his focus and reaction time.

It's an unconventional solution, sure, but it also goes to show the lengths Smith is willing to go through to improve his biggest weakness entering the NFL.

It’s also a sign of how seriously the Jets are taking his development. Smith’s speed is game-breaking, but if he can pair it with reliable hands, he could become one of the team’s most dangerous weapons.

How Arian Smith is attempting to fix his drop issues

Smith’s drop issues were no secret coming out of Georgia. The Florida native recorded three drops on just 11 targets as a junior in 2023 and followed that up with a 10-drop season in 2024.

Smith ranked third among FBS players in drops in 2024, despite catching only 48 passes. His 17% drop rate was among the worst in all of college football.

The Jets still took a chance on his rare 4.36 speed and big-play upside, selecting him in the fourth round with the hope that a little development and refinement could unlock his full potential.

That bet is already showing signs of paying off. Smith has reportedly turned heads in training camp, and his drop issues haven’t stood out as a concern. He hasn’t been perfect, but the Georgia product has made more eye-opening grabs than mistakes.

The highlight of his summer came during Friday’s practice, when Smith torched All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner down the sideline to haul in a beautiful deep ball from Justin Fields. He later caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor with the second-team offense.

Smith is looking to prove his doubters wrong and validate the Jets’ decision to bet on his raw talent despite some glaring concerns. And if this technique truly helps solve his drop issues, so be it. All that matters is that it's working.

For a Jets team that desperately needed speed and explosion on offense, Smith offers something different from their other receivers. And if his hands continue to trend in the right direction, he might just offer something special.

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