The New York Jets selected Georgia football wide receiver Arian Smith with the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This pick surprised various media members affiliated with the Jets and fans alike as many expected Smith to go much later in the draft.
Smith participated in the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine earlier this offseason. He ran a blistering 4.36 second 40-yard dash at the combine while jumping 38 inches in the vertical jump. Smith's athleticism was never a question from scouts or media, it is mainly his health and on-field struggles. Smith led Georgia in receiving with 817 yards on 48 catches, however, he and the offense struggle was dropped passes with Smith leading the way with 10 drops last season.
The drop issues obviously dinged him on many media members draft expectations because of the position Smith plays. He was viewed as a sixth or seventh round draft pick because of these drops and his need to work on route running.
Arian Smith's struggled did not matter to the Jets
Both Head Coach Aaron Glenn and General Manager Darren Mougey mentioned Smith's athleticism in a press conference after selecting him. They're banking on Smith's elite speed and playmaking to help their offense. Coach Glenn compared Smith's drop problems to Lions receiver Jameson Williams, who he coached the last few years in Detroit. Glenn believes Smith has the work ethic to fix these issues, just like Williams did in his rookie season.
Outside of the Bulldog's first round picks selected on the first day of the draft, Smith is a big winner. He was selected two rounds above expectation and is considered a reach by many. It is now up to him and the Jets to eliminate his drops and maximize his skill set and talent to show everyone that it wasn't a mistake taking him this early in the draft.