The New York Jets may have landed one of the fastest players in the NFL Draft — but also one of the most frustrating.
With the 2025 NFL Draft still fresh, there’s already debate surrounding the Jets’ choice to select Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith, a player known as much for his blazing speed as for his inconsistency.
Smith’s athleticism is undeniable.
The 23-year-old wideout posted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine, with an impressive 1.51-second 10-yard split — numbers that stand out in any draft room.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 185 pounds, Smith profiles as a pure deep threat, capable of stretching defenses and forcing safeties to account for his speed on every snap.
The concern, however, is his reliability catching the ball.
Smith dropped 10 passes out of 72 targets last season, finishing with a 66.7% reception rate. His issues with ball tracking and contested catches are well-documented, not to mention his occasional sloppy route running.
After losing Davante Adams, the Jets had a major need at wide receiver, and they’re clearly banking on Smith’s athletic upside.
Most draft analysts had projected Smith as a late sixth- or seventh-round pick — or even an undrafted free agent — so the Jets selecting him in the fourth round raised plenty of eyebrows.
Last season, Smith lined up out wide for about 80% of his snaps, but he also spent around 20% of the time in the slot, offering some versatility.
Expect the Jets to design plays to get the ball in his hands quickly — screens, jet sweeps, and deep shots — maximizing his straight-line speed. He could also see a few end-arounds, functioning more as a gadget player early on.
There’s no questioning Smith’s speed — he’s a rocket on the field.
But without more consistent hands and cleaner routes, he could easily become another “what might have been” story at receiver.
The Jets are clearly betting they can develop his raw talent into a real weapon. If they can improve his hands and sharpen his fundamentals, Smith could become a nightmare for defenses.
For now, though, it’s a gamble — and taking a developmental project in the fourth round is a decision that will be second-guessed until Smith proves he’s worth the risk.
