NY Jets pass on fan-favorite target to draft a WR who can't catch

You never want to be too definitive or overly negative when reacting to NFL Draft picks, especially before a rookie even steps on the field. But even with that disclaimer, the New York Jets’ most recent selection is already leaving many fans scratching their heads.

With the No. 110 overall pick in the fourth round, the Jets selected Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, a player who was widely projected as a late Day 3 pick or even an undrafted free agent.

Smith’s speed is undeniable. He averaged nearly 20 yards per catch in college and flashes the kind of field-stretching ability that forces defenses to respect the deep ball. But the rest of his game remains a major work in progress.

Smith is not a natural pass-catcher — he recorded 10 drops last season on just 48 catches — and he struggles with physicality, often getting bodied by defensive backs.

When more complete wide receivers like Utah State’s Jalen Royals and Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor were still on the board, not to mention impact defensive tackles like Indiana’s C.J. West, the Jets’ decision to take a raw, one-dimensional speed threat is difficult to justify.

Royals, in particular, emerged as a fan-favorite target, with many Jets fans pounding the table for him when the team went on the clock in the fourth round. Instead, the Jets chose to go in a different direction.

NY Jets make confusing Arian Smith pick to bolster WR room

The Jets have prioritized best player available throughout the draft so far, but this pick feels like a clear departure from that strategy. Smith has the speed to pop a few big plays, but banking on him to become a reliable contributor feels like a massive gamble, especially when more polished prospects were still available.

To be fair, the Jets did need to add to their wide receiver room, and Smith brings a skill set they currently lack: true, game-changing speed. He finished with 48 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns in his lone season as a starter at Georgia, showcasing his ability to stretch defenses vertically.

The Jets even hosted Smith on a top-30 visit during the pre-draft process, so the interest was clearly there. Still, there are real concerns beyond just the drops.

Smith battled injuries throughout his college career — multiple surgeries and lower-body injuries cost him significant time early on — and he remains a raw route runner who needs a ton of work to become a consistent NFL contributor.

Smith also doesn't have any experience as a returner despite his speed. He should be able to contribute as a potential gunner in punt coverage, but that's hardly a reason to draft a wide receiver in the fourth round.

The Jets are betting on upside with Arian Smith, but this is a major gamble for a team that needed more reliability at wide receiver. Time will tell if his elite speed can outweigh the glaring concerns.

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