Gang Green Nation
Taking a look at the Jets rookie wide receiver
The Jets drafted former Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft. Today we break Smith down in detail.
The 23-year old Smith is listed at 6’0” and 179 pounds. He caught 68 passes for 1,356 yards and 10 touchdowns in five years with the Georgia Bulldogs. Having entered the 2024 season with just 20 career catches he had a breakout season last year and led the team in receiving yards.
Background
Smith was a four-star high school recruit and track and field sensation who headed to Georgia in 2019 but redshirted his first season.
Over the next three seasons, he didn’t play much, catching just 12 passes in 19 games. However, he showed big play capabilities with four touchdowns and an average of 32.2 yards per catch. He also broke out in the playoffs as he had 129 yards and a touchdown in the Peach Bowl at the end of the 2022 season.
In 2023, he made the first two starts of his career but still didn’t produce much as he had eight catches for 153 yards and two scores in an offense that also featured Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers.
However, he was featured much more in 2024 and had a breakout season with three 100-yard games. He ended up with a team-high 817 yards on 48 receptions, with four touchdowns.
Smith was invited to the Senior Bowl and the NFL scouting combine but was considered a probable late round pick. The Jets selected him in the fourth round with the 110th overall pick.
Let’s move on to some more in-depth analysis of what Smith brings to the table as a player, based on extensive research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Smith doesn’t have particularly good size or a big catch radius and he has small hands. He could probably do with adding some bulk to his frame.
One thing that can’t be questioned is his speed. His 40-yard dash at the combine was a 4.36 and it speaks volumes that this was regarded by some as disappointing. As a decorated track athlete, he once ran 10.1 in the 100 meters and competed in college until 2023 before giving it up to focus on football. The speed and burst shows up on film too.
At the combine, Smith didn’t participate in the bench press but posted excellent explosiveness and agility numbers.
Usage
Smith has primarily played on the outside, as he was in the slot less than 25 percent of the time in his career. He did catch 11 passes from the slot last season, but averaged just 10 yards per catch - less than half what he did on the outside.
In addition to his pass catching, Smith has also been used to good effect on jet sweeps and end arounds. He carried eight times for 93 yards in college.
In high school, he also played as a quarterback, running back and defensive...
