After releasing Davante Adams and letting him sign with the Los Angeles Rams on a two-year, $44 million deal, the New York Jets are hoping that one of their wide receivers will step up to form a capable duo alongside Garrett Wilson.
New York has a few veteran options looking to pick up the slack, including Allen Lazard and free-agent signings Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson. However, it's been fourth-round pick Arian Smith who's been impressing at their organized team activities (OTAs).
Smith, 23, was a four-star prospect out of Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida, before committing to the University of Georgia to play football and run track in 2020.
Over his five years with the Bulldogs, Smith won two national championships and caught 68 passes for 1,356 yards and 10 touchdowns in 47 career games. Most of that (48 receptions, 817 yards and four scores) came in 2024.
Those in attendance at OTAs have noted that Smith is shining on the field.
"It is clear, though, that the Jets may have something in the Georgia product," Jets analyst Nick Faria wrote on Friday. "He has consistently gotten open during practices open to the media, and has looked far better at catching the football than in college."
In addition to Smith's expected role on offense, Jets special teams coordinator Chris Banjo recently discussed the rookie's potential as a returner on special teams.
“Some guys, people don’t even know they have returner capabilities,” Banjo said. “We were fortunate enough to draft Arian, and he’s been able to flash some things, some very, very good things.
“I know people talk about his hands in the past, but he’s honestly shown us some great things here early on.”
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Smith never returned kicks or punts in college, but Banjo and the rest of the coaching staff are seeing what they have in the former Bulldog.
“Again, to see how natural he’s kind of been back there, there’s some things, obviously, that he’s new to, but challenging them on a regular basis, I think is our job as coaches to make sure we try to get the best out of them,” Banjo said.
Smith's 4.36 speed is something that can't be taught, and the Jets are going to try to get the ball in his hands in multiple ways to let his natural athleticism take over.
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